In this issue we will provide you with timely winter reminders to stay in compliance with your ISW and MNG49 permits



Industrial Stormwater News
Welcome to the Industrial Stormwater (ISW) January 2026 Newsletter! 

In this issue:

* ISW Annual Reports [ #link_1 ]
* ISW Snowmelt Runoff Inspection Reminder [ #link_1370015589215 ]
* 2025-2030 Permit Application Delay [ #link_5 ]
* ISW Training Opportunities [ #link_2 ]
* Nonmetallic Mining and Associated Activities Permit (MNG49 Permit) [ #link_3 ]
* ISW Compliance and Enforcement - Top Five Violations of 2025 [ #link_4 ]

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ISW Annual Reports

ISW General Permit holders must submit the annual report for calendar year 2025 by March 31, 2026. Submittals are made through the e-Services portal only, as we have transitioned from accepting paper copies of the report.

If you need a refresher on submitting the report through e-Services, please use our guidance document [ [link removed] ].

*"Pro Tip:"* The most commonly missed annual report question is the Impaired waters annual review, but you can use our ISW Special and Impaired Waters Search Tool [ [link removed] ] to check if there is a newly identified impaired water or new impairments to an existing impaired water within one mile of your facility.  If you find a new impairment, please review the requirements of your ISW permit to determine your next steps including updating your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to reflect the new impairment.

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ISW Snowmelt Runoff Inspection Reminder

Winter Sediment Accumulation

Half of the industrial sectors under the ISW permit are required to conduct a snowmelt runoff inspection each year.  Even in Minnesota, January/February thaws do occur so please keep this requirement in mind over the coming months. Check the sector-specific requirements in your permit to see if this snowmelt inspection applies to your site, as not conducting this inspection is an ISW permit violation. 

*"Pro Tip:"* While you’re conducting this inspection, pay attention to areas at your facility where you have placed sand or sand/salt mix to help with winter traction.  This sand will increase the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in your stormwater monitoring runoff, potentially resulting in high spikes that require additional BMPs or modifications to reduce the values.  By identifying where these sites are at your facility on your winter ISW inspections, you can be proactive in reducing the TSS load in the snowmelt runoff.



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2025-2030 Permit Application Delay

The e-Services application for the 2025-2030 ISW Permit and No Exposure Certification is still delayed.  MPCA staff have been working to get the service up and running and we hope to have the application service available in the near future.  As of now, we do not have a 'go live' date when it will be available and we appreciate your patience.

Once the online application service is ready, we will be sending out a GovDelivery notification.  Until that time, all facilities are operating under their expired 2020-2025 permit/No Exposure Certification and it is expected that inspections, training, and SWPPP updates will continue. There is no paper application option, all applications are made online through e-Services.

"*Pro Tip*":  Make sure you are registered for ISW notifications through your GovDelivery subscription to receive the notification when the permit application service is ready.  If you have new staff responsible for ISW at your facility, they can register at the bottom of the ISW webpage [ [link removed] ] under the 'Stay connected' section.

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ISW Training Opportunities

Rebecca Forman, Instructor

*_ISW Training Opportunities_*

The ISW permit requires facility employees responsible for implementing the ISW permit receive stormwater-related training at least once a year. The MPCA partners with the University of Minnesota Erosion and Stormwater Management Program to offer two ISW training courses that meet the permit training requirements. While the following courses are not required by the ISW permit, they do a thorough job of highlighting the requirements of the ISW general permit.

Both courses are currently offered online for self-study, and will be offered in person later this spring. ISW2202 is a comprehensive course if you are new to the ISW world, and ISW2201 is a shorter overview course designed to meet the annual training requirement for those with previous experience implementing the ISW general permit.

*ISW2202  *If you are new to the Industrial Stormwater permit or want a detailed refresher of the 2025-2030 industrial stormwater requirements, the University’s Erosion and Stormwater Management Program is offering ISW 2202.  This comprehensive course takes approximately 8 hours to complete; course topics include Industrial Stormwater and No Exposure regulations, SWPPP development and implementation, stormwater sampling and reporting, ISW case studies/enforcement, and more! Learn more here [ [link removed] ], registration opens on February 2, 2026. 

*ISW1202  *For those familiar with the 2025-2030 Industrial Stormwater Permit and need to meet the permit's annual training requirement, the University’s Erosion and Stormwater Management Program is offering ISW1202.  This course takes approximately 1 hour to complete. Course topics include a review of permit basics, what’s new in the permit/timely reminders, and a discussion on the new PFAS monitoring and reporting requirements.   Learn more here, [ [link removed] ] registration opens on February 2, 2026.

For questions, contact the Erosion and Stormwater Management Program at [email protected] or call 612-625-9733.

*"Pro Tip:"  *In-person training courses were offered in the fall of 2025, and are in the planning phase for 2026.  While on-line training can be quite convenient, the in-person training is a great opportunity to work one-on-one with the University’s Stormwater Management Staff and MPCA’s ISW Compliance and Enforcement Staff.



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Nonmetallic Mining and Associated Activities Permit (MNG49 Permit)

The Industrial Stormwater Program assumed oversight of the MNG49 permit in the fall of 2025, and ISW staff are now the points of contact for MNG49 site inspections, plan reviews, permit questions, and  compliance and enforcement.

*"Pro Tip:"* Depending on the mining pit activities, MNG49 permittees have one or more monitoring reporting requirements contained in their permit.  Each pit listed in your permit may have different monitoring requirements.  Quarterly DMR reporting, yearly reporting, and a combination of intervention and effluent monitoring are all options under this multi-site permit. Check your permit and set a calendar reminder for the reporting requirements outlined in your permit.

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ISW Compliance and Enforcement - Top Five Violations of 2025

Scrap Heap with no BMPs

2025 was a busy year for the ISW Compliance and Enforcement staff, issuing over 40 enforcement actions for ISW permit violations. 

The Top Five 2025 ISW permit violations were:

5.  Failure to update facility Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) when there are personnel changes for staff responsible for SWPPP implementation. 

4.  Failure to conduct the yearly Impaired Waters search as specified on the Annual Report.

3.  Failure to conduct and/or document yearly ISW training.

2.  Failure to document BMP maintenance follow-up when deficiencies are noted on monthly inspection reports

1. Failure to document in the SWPPP the steps taken when the average of benchmark monitoring results is higher than the permit benchmark values.

*"Pro Tip":*  If you use customized business software programs to track your ISW training records and BMP maintenance, check that it can provide you with permit-compliant documentation when ISW Compliance  and Enforcement staff request it, and document in the SWPPP that you are utilizing these programs.



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Program Contact Information:

*ISW Website [ [link removed] ]*

*Email <[email protected]>* the Program: 



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