In most cases, the NPDES permit program is administered by authorized states. In California, these programs are administered by the State Water Resources Control Board and by nine regional boards that issue NPDES permits and enforce regulations within their respective region. As an example, Orange County lies within the jurisdiction of both the Santa Ana and San Diego Regions. These two regional boards issued Orang Counties first municipal NPDES permit in 1990 to the “Orange County Stormwater Program,” a partnership between the County, all cities within Orange County, and the O.C. Flood Control District. Since the program’s inception, the County has served as the principal permitee.

 

NPDES permits are issued for a five-year term and generally followed a progressive pattern. O.C's first permit provided an opportunity for Orange County municipalities to establish a program customized to local conditions.

 

In its earliest form, the Orange County Stormwater Program focused on gathering data about existing conditions and implementing an initial set of improvement measures aimed at known water quality deficiencies.

 

O.C's second permit, issued in 1996, was built upon the knowledge gained during the first permit period and was intended to improve water quality incrementally over time. During the second permit term Orange County also invested heavily in parallel efforts to implement a watershed approach, a comprehensive but lengthy planning tool for addressing water quality as well as habitat restoration, recreation, and flood control.

 

The importance of the California Stormwater program cannot be over stated. The potential pollution created by unmanaged construction activity, dumping, and other pollution causing activities put each of us at risk as our vital renewable resources become pollutted.

 

The important work of each contractor, community, and citizen to keep the planet healthy has a positive effect on us all.

 

For more information on your California Stormwater plan, visit your local government website.