Town of St. Albans, VT

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Permit


The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit is a federally mandated stormwater permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) program. In Vermont, the MS4 permit program is administered by the VT Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC), a division of the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). The MS4 General Permit is issued by VT DEC for a five-year period.  The primary mechanism by which the Town of St. Albans will meet the requirements of the MS4 General Permit is through the activities of the Stormwater Utility.

St. Albans MS4 General Permit (Issued)- 7073-9014.ARA
Vermont MS4 General Permit (2018)

Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)

This Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) documents the Town of St. Albans' strategy to address and reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff.  Preparation of this plan is required by the Vermont MS4 permit number 3-9014 issued by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) last issued on July 27, 2018. This plan contains all the required elements described in the 2018 Vermont MS4 permit and is intended to minimize the adverse impact that unmanaged stormwater runoff from the Town of St. Albans can have on water quality.
Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)

Flow Restoration Plan (FRP)

The Town of St. Albans has two impaired streams within its town limits. Stevens Book and Rugg Brook are currently on the State of Vermont’s impaired waters (EPA 303(d)) list, determined to be primarily due to the result of excessive stormwater runoff. In the effort to restore the two watersheds and lift the impaired designation,  flow-based Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) were developed, which outline the required reductions in stormwater high flows and increase in baseflow. The flow targets are the basis for the Flow Restoration Plans (FRPs) for each stream, developed in accordance with the MS4 General Permit Subpart IV.C1 as a required part of the MS4s SWMP.
Flow Restoration Plan- Rugg Brook
Flow Restoration Plan- Stevens Brook

Phosphorous Control Plan (PCP)

In 2016, EPA established phosphorus TMDLs for the twelve Vermont segments in Lake Champlain. The TMDL places a cap on the maximum amount of phosphorus that is allowed to enter the Lake and still meet Vermont water quality standards. Stormwater from developed lands is a significant source of phosphorus. Under the most recently issued MS4 permit, the Town is required to develop a Phosphorus Control Plan that details how the Town will reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the Lake by approximately 20% from municipally owned and operated developed lands.
Phosphorous Control Plan - April 2022