Best Management Practices

The Guidance Manual for Developing Best Management  Practices, published by the EPA says, "Best management practices (BMPs) are recognized as an important part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting process to prevent the release of toxic and hazardous chemicals. Over the years, as BMPs for many different types of facilities have been developed, case studies have demonstrated not only the success but the flexibility of the BMP approach in controlling releases of pollutants to receiving waters. More recently, pollution prevention practices have become part of the NPDES program, working in conjunction with BMPs to reduce potential pollutant releases. Pollution prevention methods have been shown to reduce costs as well as pollution risks through source reduction and recycling/reuse techniques. 

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 established the objectives of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters. These objectives remained unchanged in 1977, 1982, and 1987 amendments, commonly referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA). To achieve these objectives, the CWA sets forth a series of goals, including attaining fishable and swimmable designations by 1983 and eliminating the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters by 1985. As part of the CWA strategy to eliminate discharges of pollutants to receiving waters, NPDES permit limitations have become more stringent. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes that industrial and municipal facilities subject to the NPDES program may need to undertake additional measures to meet these permit limitations, as well as the goals of the CWA. EPA believes that such measures can be technologically and economically achievable through the development of formalized plans that contain BMPs and pollution prevention practices" (EPA 1993).

To the right, you will find the Muskegon County Site Development Rules with Procedures & Design Standards for Storm Water Management which gives many examples of Best Management Practice development and projects happening right here in Muskegon County!

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