NH Resources

The following are resources to assist NH Municipal Small Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities with meeting the 2003 and 2017 EPA MS4 permit requirements.

NH MS4 Proposed Modifications:

May 4 and June 1, 2020 EPA Webinar Presentation slides on NH MS4 Proposed Modifications (Posted 5/4/2020)

Proposed Modifications to the 2017 New Hampshire Small MS4 General Permit (PDF) (136 pp, 4.3 MB) (Posted 5/4/2020)

Seacoast NOI Template and Guidance:

The documents below were produced collaboratively with the Seacoast Stormwater Coalition and Rockingham Planning Commission.  The materials are intended to assist with the preparation of the MS4 NOI for NH Communities.  Please note that some of the information is specific to the communities contained within the Seacoast Stormwater Coalition.

• NH 2017-suggested-NOI template_SSCFinal
• NOI Guidance Template
• SSC_NOI_TechincalAssistance_20180725
• 2012 Seacoast MS4 Impaired Waters and Tables
• 2016 Seacoast Tables
• 2016 Seacoast Impaired Waters D-K
• 2016 Seacoast Impaired Waters M-P
• 2016 Seacoast Impaired Waters R-S

2019 Annual Report Templates and Guidance

• NH Stormwater Coalition Template Year 1  (Updated: September 19, 2019)
• EPA Annual Report Template Year 1  (PDF Version)  (Posted: September 9, 2019)
• EPA Annual Report Template 1  (Word Version)  (Posted: September 9, 2019)

NH Small MS4 Yearly Requirements

• MS4 Year 2 Requirements Table (Posted: March 6, 2020)

Part II: Summary of Receiving Waters

• NH MS4 Permit Related Impairments Status Based on NH 2012 303(d) list in 2017 EPA MS4 Permit Based on NH 2012 303(d) list in 2017 EPA MS4 Permit. This is a spread sheet based on the information in the 2017 MS4 permit indicating what impairments each MS4 has. May be used for initial planning purposes for the Minimum Control Measure #1: Outreach and Education requirements related to impairments.  With the 2016 303(d) list partially approved by EPA, there may be some minor changes to this list to consider.

Part III: Stormwater Management Program Summary Minimum Controls

-Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)

• Seacoast Stormwater Coalition Template
  • Seacoast Stormwater Coalition SWMP Working Document – 2019 (Updated: June 19, 2019)
• New Hampshire Lower Merrimack Valley Stormwater Coalition Template (Coming Soon)

– Minimum Control Measure 1: Public Outreach and Education

• 2017 Permit MCM #1 Requirements Flow Chart – Outlines what and how many outreach efforts are required under the 2017 permit for MCM #1 and outreach efforts related to TMDL and Water Quality Limited (Impaired) waterbodies.
• MCM #1 Timeline (draft)- Summary of when the MCM #1 requirements need to be completed during the permit term. (created by Owen Friend-Gray, City of Rochester).
• MCM #1 SWMP Language for Nitrogen or Phos and Bacteria – Available to cut and paste into your SWMP.
• NH MCM #1  Efforts Planning, Instructions, and Tools: New Hampshire specific education and outreach effort’s suggestions (matrixes),  descriptions and instructions (SOPs), and tools. These are frequently updated documents.
  • MCM #1 – Part I Matrix: Resident and Business or Institution Audiences suggested outreach efforts for Water Quality Limited Waters (Impaired for Phos and Nit) and TMDL Requirements (Bacteria and Phos) – 3 messages per year.
    • First Year Standard Operating Procedures (Directions) and Tools

      • Fertilizer

        • Description and Instructions (SOP)
        • Outreach Tools:  The following tools are all available at UNH Extension Green Grass & Clear Water Tools Webpage. (Updated May, 2019)
          • Standard and Customizable Flyer
          • Standard and Customizable Mailer
          • Standard and Customizable Postcard
          • COVID 19 Blog Post Related for Fertilizer – Water Quality Lawn Care While Sheltering at Home (Updated, May 14, 2020)
          • COVID 19 Related for all Lawn Care and Fertilizer – Water Quality Lawn Care While Sheltering at Home – Webpage (Updated, May 20, 2020)
          • COVID 19 Related for all Lawn Care and Fertilizer– Water Quality lawn Care While Sheltering at Home – Word Document (Updated, May 14, 2020)
        • Supporting Scientific Fertilizer Information
          • Technical Bulletin for Turf Guidance (updated April 15, 2020)
        • Additional Outreach Tools: Press Release Example,  MS4 Website Content Template,  UNH Extension Green Grass & Clear Water Information Website Link,  Green Green Grass Clear Water Kit Description

      • Pet Waste

        • Description and Instructions (SOP)
        • Outreach Tools: Press Release Example,  Every Drop Customizable Postcards 6×4 & 5×7,   Every Drop Online Pledge to Pick Up Pet Waste Link,  Amherst Every Drop Postcard Bifold Mailer Example,    Donation Solicitation Letter Example
        • Online Pet Pledges 7-1-19 to 4-8-20 (Updated April 8, 2020)
        • NH Ms4 Efforts:
          • Goffstown Pet Waste Brochure (Updated Nov. 6, 2019)
          • Goffstown Scoop the Poop Poster (Updated Nov. 6, 2019)

      • Yard Waste

        • Description and Instructions (SOP)
        • Outreach Tools: Press Release Example,  MS4 Website Content Example,  Yard Waste Door Hanger,  Yard Waste Mailer Brochure (Updated July, 2019),  Yard Waste Pledge Card
        • COVID 19 Blog Post Related for Leaf and Yard Waste – Water Quality Lawn Care While Sheltering at Home (Updated May 14, 2020)
        • COVID 19 Related for all Lawn Care and Leaf and Yard Waste– Water Quality Lawn Care While Sheltering at Home (Updated May 14, 2020)
        • NH MS4 Efforts:
          • Atkinson “Why Does it Matter” Flyer (Updated Nov. 4, 2019)
          • Danville Leaf Litter Message Post (Updated Nov. 4, 2019)
          • Goffstown Yard Waste Brochure (Updated Nov. 6, 2019)
          • Hooksett Link to Composting Brochure (Updated Nov. 4, 2019)
          • Portsmouth “Rake it or Leave it” Newspaper Article (Updated Oct., 2019)
          • Portsmouth “Rake it or Leave it” Customized Flyer (Updated Oct., 2019)

      • Septic Systems

        • Description and Instructions (SOP) (Updated July, 2019)
        • Outreach Tools: Press Release Example,  MS4 Website Content Example, NH Get Pumped Website Link,  NH Get Pumped Customizable Brochure
        • COVID 19 Associated Messaging (Updated, April 8. 2020)

      • Other

        • Fertilizer, Yard Waste, and General Stormwater BMPs
          • Landscaping for Water Quality Training (Derry, NH – March 25 & 26, 2020) (Updated April 15, 2020)
            • Description and Instructions
            • Landscaping for Water Quality Informational Flyer
            • Landscaping for Water Quality Website
            • MS4 Survey for Attendees
        • General Stormwater Information:
          • Goffstown – Residential Stormwater Brochure (Updated Nov. 6, 2019)
          • Goffstown – Business Stormwater Brochure (Updated Nov. 6, 2019)
          • Portsmouth – Stormwater Public Information Update 11/18/2019: Think Blue (Updated Nov, 19, 2019)
    • Other SOPs and Tools

      • NH MS4 Websites:

        • Amherst –  Stormwater Management Program (Updated Nov. 4, 2019)
        • Atkinson –  MS4 Permit Information Page (Updated Nov. 4, 2019)
        • Bedford – MS4 and Stormwater Management Page (Updated Nov. 4, 2019)
        • Derry – MS4 Page (Updated Nov. 4, 2019)
        • Exeter – Think Blue Exeter (Updated Nov. 20, 2019)
        • Goffstown – Goffstown MS4 Resource Page (Updated Nov. 6, 2019)
        • Hooksett –  Stormwater Management Program (Updated Nov. 4, 2019)
        • Merrimack – Town of Merrimack Outreach Year 1 (Updated Nov. 10, 2019)
        • Portsmouth – Stormwater Information Center (Updated Nov. 20, 2019)

      • NH Soak Up the Rain Program (SOAK)

        • Description and Instructions (SOP)
        • NH SOAK Video (3 minute reducing water pollution video)
        • NH SOAK Website  (homeowner infiltration practices background and how to)

      • Drinking Water Festival and Fair (school event)

        • Description and Instructions (SOP)

      • Project Wet (teacher or volunteer training)

        • Description and Instructions (SOP)
  • MCM #1 – Part II Matrix: Developer and Industrial Audience suggested NH outreach efforts- 2 messages per audience per permit term (5 years).
    • Description and Instructions (SOP)-Developement (Updated April 14, 2020)
    • Examples of Checklists and Forms
      • Dover – Pre-Construction Meeting Form (Updated Nov. 14, 2019)
      • Dover Construction Checklist Example (Updated April 8, 2020)
      • Derry Construction Document Example (Updated April 8, 2020)
      • Portsmouth – Site Plan Application Checklist (Updated Feb. 19, 2020)
      • Exeter – Site Plan Application Checklist (Updated April 20. 2020)
    • EPA Developers Factsheet See SOP above for use instructions (Updated April 8, 2020)
    • Construction Factsheet (Updated April 8, 2020)
  • MCM #1 – Part III Matrix: Resident and Business and Institution Audience suggested NH outreach efforts – with no impairments or TMDLs or miscellaneous overarching campaigns – 2 messages per audience per permit term (5 years).

• 30 Minute Stormwater Video (2003): “Stormwater Runoff – There is No Away”  – Made by and for NH MS4s. Don’t let the date fool you. This still relevant and New Hampshire specific video covers how stormwater runoff can pollute our water and how we can all make simple changes in our lifestyle to help reduce this problem. 
• Measuring Education and Outreach for Massachusetts’ MS4s – Additional suggestions on how to measure your outreach from Think Blue Massachusetts.
• NH Every Drop Resources for Towns

– Minimum Control Measure 2: Public Involvement and Participation

• Seacoast Stormwater Coalition Templates (coming soon)
• Manchester and Nashua Stormwater Coalition Templates
  • Public Announcement – Town of Amherst Example  (Posted July 1, 2019)

– Minimum Control Measure 3: Illicit Discharge and Elimination (IDDE)

• IDDE Guidance Document (2006): “Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Stormwater Phase II Communities in New Hampshire”  –  Created by and for NH MS4s to assist in meeting the 2003 NH MS4 permit IDDE and Good Housekeeping requirements. Includes New Hampshire specific standard operating procedures, contact information and field sheets.  Needs to be updated for the 2017 NH MS4 requirements.
• NH Stormwater Coalition Templates
  • Written Catchment Investigation Procedures – Draft (Posted: December 31,2019)
  • Drain Manhole Inspection Log – Draft (Posted: December 31,2019)
• Seacoast Stormwater Coalition Templates–
  • NH Seacoast Stormwater IDDE Template 2019 (Posted: June 19, 2019)
  • SSC outfall ranking_12-18
• Manchester and Nashua Stormwater Coalition Templates-
  • MCM #3 – IDDE April 15, 2019 Presentation (Posted: May 20, 2019)
  • MCM #3 – IDDE Ordinance Template (Posted: May 20, 2019)
  • MCM#3 – IDDE Plan Template (Posted: June 3, 2019)
• Dry Weather Sampling Guidance and Templates
  • Dry Weather Sampling Procedures and Equipment – UNH Draft (Posted: May 13, 2020)
  • Catch Basin & Outfall Sampling Field Sheet – Town of Merrimack (Posted: May 13, 2020)
  • Dry Weather Sampling Chain of Custody – Town of Merrimack (Posted: May 13, 2020)
  • Sampling Equipment – Town of Merrimack (Posted: May 13, 2020)
  • UNH Dry Weather Sampling_April 2020 (Posted: May 13, 2020)
  • Town of Merrimack Dry Weather Sampling – January 9, 2020 Presentation (Posted: May 13, 2020)

– Minimum Control Measure 4: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

• Manchester and Nashua Stormwater Coalition Templates-
  • MCM #4 – Stormwater and Land Development Regulations Template  (Updated: June 6, 2019)
• MCM #4 – Proposed Modifications Template (Year 2) Annotated (Updated: April 7, 2020)
• UNH SOP for Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control (Posted: June 8, 2020)
• Town of Bedford Stormwater Management and IDDE Ordinance (Updated: April 7, 2020)
• Town of Bedford Stormwater and Land Disturbance Permit Application (Updated: April 7, 2020)
• City of Manchester Erosion & Sedimentation Control Inspection Form (Posted: June 8, 2020)
• UNH Site Erosion Control Inspection Form (Posted: June 8, 2020)

– Minimum Control Measure 5: Post Construction Stormwater Management in New and Redevelopment

• Model Stormwater Standards (2017): Draft Post Construction Stormwater Management Standards for Site Plan Review Regulations – Created by Rockingham Planning Commission and UNH Stormwater Center for the Southeast Watershed Alliance to assist all NH Municipalities with stormwater regulations. Specifically called out by EPA as meeting MCM #5 in the 2017 NH MS4 permit.
• Model Stormwater Standards Revised Draft (2019) (Posted: June 19, 2019)

– Minimum Control Measure 6: Municipal Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention

• NH Stormwater Coalition Templates-
  • • • MCM #6 Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention Template-Year 1-Final (Updated: June 13, 2019)
      • MCM #6 Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention Template Year 1 & 2 – Final (Posted December 31, 2019)
      • Written SWPPP for Municipal Facilities Template – Draft (Posted: December 31, 2019)
      • NHDES Fact Sheet WMB-3 Snow Disposal(Posted: January 13, 2020)
• Good Housekeeping Guidance Document (2006): “Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Stormwater Phase II Communities in New Hampshire” –  Created by and for NH MS4s to assist in meeting the 2003 NH MS4 permit IDDE and Good Housekeeping requirements. Includes New Hampshire specific standard operating procedures, contact information and field sheets.  Needs to be updated for the 2017 NH MS4 requirements but still relevant guidance.
• Municipal Turf Maintenance Guidance Document (2013): “Green Spaces” BMPs to Protect Water Quality – Drafted by and for NH MS4s in 2013 guidance for NH municipal playing fields and other green space maintenance. Still in draft form but useful for assisting with meeting 2017 NH MS4 requirements.