Thomas Nelson Community College
MS4 Program Plan 2013
GENERAL PERMIT REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR STORM WATER DISCHARGES
FROM SMALL MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEMS
PLAN PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this small Municipal Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program Plan is to develop,
implement, and enforce strategies designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the Hampton
campus of Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) MS4 to the maximum extent practicable
(MEP), to protect water quality, to ensure compliance by the college with water quality standards, and
to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act and regulations. As
prescribed by the “Small MS4 General Permit” administered by the Department of Conservation and
Recreation, this Plan includes the six minimum control measures (MCM) described in the general
permit. Each MCM is discussed in detail in subsequent sections of this plan. This Program Plan
applies to TNCC’s campus in Hampton as it is within the urbanized area delineated by the 2000
Decennial Census.
Currently the TNCC MS4 does not discharge directly to a water body with a Board approved
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). As such, no waste load allocations have been assigned to
TNCC’s MS4.
The TNCC Hampton campus facility has approximately 89 acres. Land use is campus (grass
and landscaped areas) and buildings, parking lots, as well as natural forested areas and wetlands.
There are approximately 2,900 designated parking spots on the campus. The MS4 discharges
through ten outfalls directly to the City of Hampton’s MS4 system. The receiving stream is the
Southwest Branch of the Back River, and is impaired for PCBs, DO, and fecal coliform bacteria. MS4
Program responsibilities fall primarily on the college Buildings and Grounds section, which consists of
a supervisor and staff of four people.
Best Management Practices, Measurable Goals, BMP
Schedule, and Storm
Water Management Program
BMP 1- Public Education and Outreach on Storm Water Impacts
1.0
Best Management Practices
TNCC has implemented a public education program through various Best Management Practices
providing educational materials to the college community and general public about the impacts of
stormwater discharges on water bodies and the steps that the college community can take to reduce
pollutants in stormwater runoff.
The following discusses the Best Management Practices (BMPs) Thomas Nelson Community
College will employ to fulfill the requirements of Minimum Control Measure (MCM) #1 – Public
Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts.
1.1
Education on Stormwater Discharges to Impaired Waters
1.2
Objective
The objective for this BMP is to increase the college community members’ knowledge about the
steps that they can take to reduce stormwater pollution, placing priority on reducing impacts to
impaired waters and other local water pollution concerns. The college community has been identified
as students and employees. Educational material is shared on the college built Stormwater
Management webpage and the college NelsonLink email communication system containing
education material related to the college's MS4 Program Plan. Education materials cover areas such
as preventing storm water pollution, properly disposing of hazardous products, conserving water and
decreasing pollution from car maintenance, and decreasing storm water pollution from lawns.
1.3
Schedule
Place articles each quarter in the college NelsonLink email communication system containing topics
which include information about pollution reduction programs such as recycling opportunities, lawn
maintenance, car maintenance, and illicit discharges.These articles will also link to the college Stormwater
Management webpage. This plan will be ongoing, and TNCC will continue to evaluate the materials
to ensure accuracy of information and visibility to the college community.
1.4
Measurable Goal and EffectivenessSchedule
The goal for this BMP will be measured by tracking the number of articles posted and number of
website visitors that occur throughout the year. Currently, the college enrolls nearly 15,000 students
annually and employs more than 1,000 full-time and part-time faculty and staff.
1.5
Items to be reported on the Annual Report
The following items will be included in the Annual Reports in relation to the scheduled outline:
 Copies of education material
 The total number of broadcasts, published articles, and number of website visitors annually
1.6
Responsible Party
The TNCC Water Program Manager will be the responsible party.
BMP 2- Public Involvement /Participation
2.0
Best Management Practices
TNCC will implement a public involvement program through various Best Management Practices
to encourage public involvement regarding stormwater control measures on campus property.
2.1
Objective
The objective for this BMP is to encourage the college community’s involvement by providing for
a means to involve faculty, staff, and students in annual Clean the Bay Day event.
2.2
Schedule
Each quarter place articles in the college NelsonLink email communication system containing topics
include information about local and regional oppurtunities to become involved in pollution reduction programs
such as recycling opportunities, lawn maintenance, car maintenance, and illicit discharges.These articals will
also link to the college Stormwater Management webpage. This plan will be ongoing, and TNCC will
continue to evaluate the materials to ensure accuracy of information and visibility to the college
community.
2.3
Measurable Goal and EffectivenessSchedule
The goal for this BMP will be measured by tracking the number of volunteers utilized and
estimated volume of litter collected each year. Currently, the college enrolls nearly 15,000 students
annually and employs more than 1,000 full- and part-time faculty and staff.
2.4
Items to be reported on the Annual Report
The following items will be included in the Annual Reports in relation to the scheduled outline:

Retain documentation of number of volunteers utilized and estimated volume of litter collected.
2.5
Responsible Party
The TNCC Water Program Manager will be the responsible party.
BMP 3- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
3.0
Best Management Practices
TNCC will implement a program through various Best Management Practices to effectively detect
and eliminate illicit discharges into the college’s MS4. TNCC has developed a written college policy
prohibiting illegal dumping and illicit discharges to the storm water conveyance system.
3.1
Objective
The objective for this BMP is to develop a comprehensive storm drain system map for the campus
covered under the general permit. TNCC developed an updated and more comprehensive map of
the storm drain system in 2005. This map needs to be updated to include; a) the outfalls physically
interconnected to a regulated MS4, b) the associated surface water and HUCs and the names and
locations of all impaired surface waters that receive discharges from those outfalls, c) an estimation
of the acreage within MS4 discharging to each HUC and impaired water.
3.2
Schedule
TNCC will secure a contract with an architect/engineering firm to revise the campus map by
October 2013. The new stormwater drainage system map will be completed by October 2014. As
new facilities are programmed and eventually funded, maps will be updated to reflect the most
current information available.
3.3
Measurable Goal and EffectivenessSchedule
The goal for this BMP will be measured by the completion of the drainage system map. To ensure
the drainage system map is up-to-date and accurate, the map will be reviewed for accuracy annually.
3.4
Items to be reported on the Annual Report
A copy of the new stormwater drainage system map will be included in the annual report.
3.5
Responsible Party
The TNCC Water Program Manager will be the responsible party.
BMP 4- Construction Site Runoff Control
4.0
Best Management Practices
TNCC will implement a program through various Best Management Practices to reduce
pollutants in any stormwater runoff from the MS4 from construction activities that result in land
disturbances of greater than or equal to 2,500 square feet in all areas of the campus.
4.1
Objective
As a State agency, TNCC must follow the State review process for plans and drawings, which
includes submissions to the Bureau of Capital Outlay Management, the Department of Environmental
Quality, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, etc. This review process ensures that the
required DCR approvals and permits are obtained prior to construction and in accordance with State
and federal law pertaining to construction projects. In addition, unlike typical MS4’s (i.e., counties and
cities) where most of the development involves private entities, any construction that occurs on the
respective campuses is managed and operated by the college and its representatives. Therefore,
TNCC and the Virginia Community College System have inherent control over the construction
activities that occur on each campus through the use of the General Conditions of the Construction
Contract document developed by the Department of General Services (DGS). Conditions in each
contract will include the following items:
Requirements for erosion and sediment controls, as well as sanctions to ensure compliance, to
the extent allowable under state, tribal, or local law;
 Requirements for construction site operators to implement appropriate erosion and sediment
control best management practices;
 Requirements for construction site operators to control waste such as discarded building
materials, concrete truck washout, chemicals, litter, and sanitary waste at the construction site
that may cause adverse impacts to water quality; and
 Requirements to ensure that construction site operators have secured or will secure a VSMP
construction permit.
While the exact language may not be included in such contracts, the intent of the conditions will
be met.
The following process will occur for all construction projects disturbing an area of more than 2500
square feet in order to ensure that VSMP Construction Permits are obtained:
1. Once the new construction project design phase has been initiated, the A/E of record will
develop Erosion & Sediment Control (E&S) and Stormwater Management Plans (SMP) for the
project.
2. The E&S plan will be submitted to the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) for
approval.
3. The SMP will be submitted to DCR for approval.
4. The contractor of record will submit the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to
DCR for approval.
5. DCR will approve the E&S, SMP, and SWPPP and will issue the VSMP Permit for the
project(s)
4.2
Schedule
As a State entity, TNCC currently enforces these requirements for all construction projects on the
respective campuses. TNCC will continue to enforce these measures during coverage of the general
permit.
4.3
Measurable Goal and EffectivenessSchedule
The goal for this BMP will be measured by the site inspections completed and any issues related
to these inspections.
4.4
Items to be reported on the Annual Report
A list of active E&S projects will be included in the annual report.
4.5
Responsible Party
The TNCC Water Program Manager will be the responsible party.
BMP 5 - Post- Construction Runoff Control
5.0
Best Management Practices
TNCC will implement a program through various Best Management Practices to reduce
pollutants in any stormwater runoff from the MS4 from construction activities that result in land
disturbances of greater than or equal to 2,500 square feet in all areas of the campus.
5.1
Objective
As a State agency, TNCC must follow the State review process for plans and drawings, which
includes submissions to the Bureau of Capital Outlay Management, the Department of Environmental
Quality, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, etc. This review process ensures that the
required DCR approvals and permits are obtained prior to construction and in accordance with State
and federal law pertaining to construction projects. In addition, unlike typical MS4’s (i.e., counties and
cities) where most of the development involves private entities, any construction that occurs on the
respective campuses is managed and operated by the college and its representatives. Therefore,
TNCC and the Virginia Community College System have inherent control over the construction
activities that occur on each campus through the use of the General Conditions of the Construction
Contract document developed by the Department of General Services (DGS). Conditions in each
contract will include the following items:


Reduce the volume and improve the quality of stormwater run-off by properly designing and
construction structural stormwater controls in accordance with the VSMA
Require construction site operators (on behalf of TNCC) to secure authorization to discharge
stormwater from construction activities under a VSMP permit. TNCC understands that as
owner, it assumes liability for discharges under such permit.
TNCC will continue a program for the periodic inspection and maintenance of structural
stormwater controls after construction has been completed and the building turned over to the
college. Currently, campus Plant Department personnel inspect stormwater structures including drain
inlets on a quarterly basis to ensure no degradations and obstructions are present. If degradations
and obstructions are observed, necessary steps will be taken to correct the findings. During adverse
weather, any drains that are observed to be backed up due to debris or foliage are opened up and
allowed to flow freely. In addition, the college sweeps and vacuums the campus parking lots semiannually to minimize debris and sediment which collect in the parking lots that may enter storm
drains.
While the exact language may not be included in such contracts, the intent of the conditions will
be met.
5.2
Schedule
TNCC proposes to continue to implement these BMPs without changes. Quarterly checks will
continue to be made of storm drain inlets to ensure free flowing run-off and that no illicit discharge is
observed.
5.3
Measurable Goal and Effectiveness Schedule
The goal for this BMP will be measured by the continued requirements set forth in construction
contracts and specifications and the continued site inspections completed and any issues related to
these inspections.
5.4
Items to be reported on the Annual Report
The following items will be included in the Annual Reports in relation to the scheduled outline:
5.5

The number of inspections performed and the associated findings.

Any corrective action or maintenance that occurred as a result of the inspections.
Responsible Party
The TNCC Water Program Manager will be the responsible party.
BMP 6 - Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
6.0
Best Management Practices
TNCC will implement an operation and maintenance program through various Best Management
Practices that have the ultimate goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from facility
operations.
6.1
Objective
TNCC will reduce the amount of nutrients entering receiving waters through contractors and
college employees conducting lawn care activities. TNCC has developed training material for campus
grounds staff on stormwater management knowledge, inspection and procedures in 2010. TNCC
currently has an approved Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) on file which was approved by DCR in
summer 2012. Developed an inspection procedure for all permanent BMP’s and outfalls which
occurs on a quarterly bases. College grounds personnel are certified pesticide and fertilizer
applicators. The college continues to allow graduate students from surrounding universities to
conduct studies of BMP detention ponds and constructed wetlands on the TNCC campus. These
field studies are ongoing.
6.2
Schedule
TNCC proposes to continue to implement this BMP and its existing Nutrient Management Plan
without change. The college will evaluate any changes to the continued application of nutrients in the
plan and update the plan as appropriate.
Inspections for all permanent BMP’s and outfalls will occur on a quarterly bases. The Nutrient
Management Plan will be updated in 2015.
6.3
Measurable Goal and EffectivenessSchedule
The college will have random soil samples taken to ensure that nutrient application rates are not
being exceeded and that they are consistent with the NMP. Where adjustments are needed, the
NMP will be updated to reflect new requirements and copies provided to the Department of
Conservation and Recreation as needed.
6.4
Items to be reported on the Annual Report
The following items will be included in the Annual Reports:

If no changes are required, records of nutrient application will be forwarded to DCR annually.
6.5

Notification of any changes to the Nutrient Management Plan with corresponding updates to
the BMP.

The number of inspections performed and the associated findings.

Records of stormwater training conducted for that report period.
Responsible Party
The TNCC Water Program Manager will be the responsible party.
Responsible Party
The persons responsible for implementing the storm water management program for Thomas Nelson
Community College
• TNCC Water Program Manager John Mason, 757-825-3694