The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is in the process of renewing the agrichemical stormwater permit MO-R240. This general stormwater permit expires on April 30, 2019. Applications to renew the permit are due no later than March 31, 2019. On November 4, 2018, the MDNR hosted a meeting to take public comment and suggestions on how the permit should be modified upon renewal. MO-AG General Counsel Robert Brundage attended the meeting on behalf of the Missouri Agribusiness Association (MO-AG). At the meeting, Robert learned that there are approximately 170 facilities currently under this general permit. A year ago, there were 482 outstanding permits. In April 2017, the department issued a letter notifying permittees that facilities with the SIC code 5191 were no longer required to have a stormwater permit (CLICK HERE). Consequently, since April 2017 over 300 R240 permits have been terminated. At the November public meeting, MO-AG General Counsel Robert Brundage offered suggestions on how to modify the permit. MO-AG will be making other comments in writing to the department prior to the permit being placed on public notice which will likely occur in January 2018.
It is highly likely that a majority of the 170 remaining permittees are not required to have this permit but have not yet requested termination. If you need guidance on whether you are required to have this permit or need instruction on how to terminate the permit, contact Amberly Shultz at the MDNR Water Pollution Control Branch at 573-751-8049. Mr. Brundage is an agricultural and environmental attorney with Newman, Comley & Ruth P.C. in Jefferson City. He may be contacted at (573) 634-2266 or at rbrundage@ncrpc.com.