Fish-Tale Marina, Fort Myers Beach

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater program regulates point source discharges of stormwater into surface waters from certain municipal, industrial and construction activities. In October 2000, the US Environmental Protection Agency authorized the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement the NPDES stormwater permitting program in the State of Florida. As such, DEP is responsible for rule-making and issuing permits, managing and reviewing permit applications, and performing compliance and enforcement activities.

Marinas and boatyards are two (Sector Q and Sector R) categories of industrial activity that must obtain a generic NPDES permit. An essential component of the permit involves creating and implementing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP is a comprehensive plan, designed to identify and implement site-specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce or prevent pollutants associated with industrial activities from entering storm water discharges. The plan must be kept on-site at all times. When applicable, marinas must obtain the NPDES permit and have a SWPPP to become a designated Clean Marina.

Resources to assist in obtaining a NPDES Permit and creating a SWPPP:

• Application for NPDES Permit [PDF - 46.16KB]
  ‘Notice of Intent to Use Multi-Sector Generic Permit (MSGP) for Stormwater Discharge Associated with Industrial Activity’
• Marina Permit Assistance [PDF - 126.62KB]
  Information on permit language, BMPs and other NPDES permit requirements specific to marinas.
• Boatyard Permit Assistance [PDF - 396.75KB]
  Information on permit language, BMPs and other NPDES permit requirements specific to boatyards.
• Sample Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan [PDF - 1.76MB]
  a step-by-step guide and template for creating a SWPPP for marinas and boatyards pursuing a NPDES permit.