According to the Clean Water Act, what does section 402(p) say regarding stormwater?

Section 402(p) of the Clean Water Act pertains specifically to the regulation of stormwater discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. This section establishes the framework for how different types of stormwater discharges are managed and indicates that only specific categories of stormwater discharges require permits.

The section identifies urban areas, industrial activities, and construction sites as examples of operations that must obtain NPDES permits for their stormwater discharges due to their potential impact on water quality. This targeted approach allows for a more efficient regulatory framework as it focuses on the highest risk discharges rather than blanket regulations for all stormwater, which might not be necessary for all areas or types of surface runoff.

Understanding this provision clarifies that not every stormwater discharge is automatically subject to permitting, only those that meet certain conditions outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means that less polluted stormwater from agricultural operations or rural areas may not have the same stringent requirements.