In response to the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act (CWA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed Phase I of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Program in 1990.  The Phase I program addressed sources of stormwater runoff that had the greatest potential to negatively impact water quality. 

The Phase II Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 1999, expanded the stormwater permit program to include stormwater discharges from certain regulated small MS4s (Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems) and construction activity that disturbs 1-5 acres of land. 

Management Categories

The City of Hernando is classified as a MS4, and is required to develop and fully implement a stormwater management program.  Stormwater management programs must contain appropriate management practices in each of the following control management categories: 

• Public education and outreach
• Public involvement and participation
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Construction site stormwater runoff control
• Post-construction site stormwater runoff control
• Pollution prevention / good housekeeping

The City of Hernando is working jointly with DeSoto County and the Cities of Southaven, Olive Branch and Horn Lake to obtain compliance with the Phase II Stormwater requirements.

Contact Us

For more information on this program, visit the DeSoto County Stormwater website.  Any questions regarding Hernando’s Stormwater Program should be directed to the Office of Planning at (662) 429-9092.  For additional information, please refer to the MDEQ and EPA websites.