Is Runoff from Agricultural or Timber Harvest Activities Regulated?
No. The Clean Water Act does not regulate runoff from agricultural or silvicultural/timber activities. However, if a particular property is being converted from forestry or farming to any other use (such as to build a residence or permanent access road) the storm water discharge permitting requirements may apply. Phase II Storm Water Requirements The Storm Water Phase II Final Rule is the next step in EPA’s effort to preserve, protect, and improve the Nation’s water resources from polluted storm water runoff. The Phase II rules expand the Phase I program by requiring operators of smaller MS4s in urbanized areas and operators of small construction sites (1-5 acres), to implement programs and practices to control polluted storm water runoff through the use of NPDES permits. Phase II is intended to further reduce adverse impacts to water quality and aquatic habitat by instituting the use of controls on the unregulated sources of storm water discharges that have the greatest likelihood of
