Public Hearing: Draft General NPDES Permit for MS4s (Statewide)

General Permit Authorization for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) to Discharge Storm Water under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) The draft permit authorizes discharges of stormwater from a select group of MS4s that serve populations less than 100,000 in urbanized areas, and those that have or may have the potential to negatively impact surface water quality as a result of their discharges. An MS4 individual permitting program exists for those serving populations of more than 100,000. Ohio EPA’s previous NPDES Small MS4 general permit (OHQ000004) was issued on April 1, 2021, and expired on March 31, 2026. This comment period addresses the fifth generation NPDES Small MS4 general permit (OHQ000005) . This permit covers the entire state of Ohio and will expire five years after the effective date. A public hearing on this draft permit will host an in-person and virtual public hearing on July 28, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. to collect public comments. The in-person hearing will be located at Ohio EPA, Suite 700, 50 W. Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. During the hearing, the public may submit written comments on the record about the proposed rules if participating virtually and verbally if participating in person. People who want to participate virtually must register online in advance. People who wish to give testimony at the hearing should notify Ohio EPA Communications and Outreach, P. O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049, 614.644.2160 or by emailing mary.mccarron@epa.ohio.gov. Prior registration will ensure that registrants are heard ahead of those individuals who register at the hearing. Oral testimony may be limited to five minutes, depending on the number of persons testifying. All interested persons are entitled to attend or be represented and to present oral and/or written comments. Comments will be accepted until August 4, 2026. Ohio EPA is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Naquetta V. Porter, ADA, EEO, and Nondiscrimination Coordinator, 440.975.6801 (call or text) or naquetta.porter@epa.ohio.gov, as soon as possible before the event.