According to the California State Water Board staff, the State Board anticipates a new 2013 Draft Industrial General Permit (IGP) and supporting documents to be released on or around July 20, 2013. Staff anticipate the State Water Board will provide at least 45 days for written comments to be submitted and during that window the State Water Board will hold a public hearing (tentatively scheduled for August 20, 2013) for oral comments to be provided on the new, draft requirements. Based on this schedule staff anticipate the State Water Board considering the IGP for adoption near the end of the year, 2013 or early 2014. Staff will recommend to the State Water Board an effective date for the new permit requirements to be about one year later, on January 1, 2015.
One on the key proposed changes from the existing permit under which many California facilities are currently covered is the requirement that storm water pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) be prepared by a Qualified SWPPP Developer, or QSD. Facilities will also have to designate a Qualified SWPPP Practitioner, or QSP, at the facility who will be responsible for implementing the SWPPP and overseeing ongoing compliance with the permit. Both QSDs and QSPs would have special training and certification requirements.