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Stormwater/SPCC

Clemson University is required under 40 CFR Part 112 to write and maintain a plan for Oil Pollution and Response under the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Rule of July 17, 2002. Clemson University must take steps to contain all oil containers with a capacity of 55 gallons or greater, make certain that the containment is such that no escape to the surrounding area will take place, and have a plan in place for controlling a spill in the event that one does take place. This rule affects all of the main campus, and in addition includes all off campus farms, research facilities, and other buildings associated with Clemson within approximately 20 miles of the University. Off campus areas more than 20 miles away must meet the criteria for inclusion in the SPCC rule, and must develop and maintain their own plan independently. Clemson properties with individual plans currently include the Sandhill, Pee Dee, Coastal, and Edisto Research and Education centers.

All Clemson properties must abide by the Clean Water Act of 1972 as well as the Phase II Storm Water regulations issued by EPA in March of 2003 that extend the reach of Storm Water regulations to small MS4's. A small MS4 is either 1) located within an Urbanized Area (>50,000 persons); 2) located in an area with a concentration of 10,000 persons that discharges to a 303(c) listed stream; or 3) be designated by the permitting authority (DHEC) as having a discharge that either causes or may cause an adverse impact on water quality. Clemson has not yet been designated as an MS4, but due to our proximity to Lake Hartwell and our population density, it is considered that the prospect is likely in the near future, therefore the main campus has chosen to fulfill the obligations of a designated small MS4 immediately. As a designated MS4, Clemson must develop, implement, and enforce a program to detect and eliminate Illicit Discharges into the Storm Water system (as defined in 40 CFR 122.26(b) (2)). In accordance, a multi-stage program has been developed by Clemson that we are currently undertaking to locate and correct all connections into the Storm Water system that are not, in fact, storm water. Clemson is additionally required to apply for Storm Water permits for any construction or land disturbing project of one acre or more according to the Phase II regulations, and prevent any improper runoff into the surrounding streams, lakes, etc.

*The rest of the EPA extensions can be found on the EPA Website.