This article shall apply to all water entering the storm drain
system generated on any developed and undeveloped lands unless explicitly
exempted by an authorized enforcement agency.
The Department of Public Works shall administer, implement,
and enforce the provisions of this article. Any powers granted or
duties imposed upon the authorized enforcement agency may be delegated
in writing by the Commissioner of the authorized enforcement agency
to persons or entities acting in the beneficial interest of or in
the employ of the agency.
The Committee on the Department of Public Works may promulgate
rules, regulations and a permitting process to effectuate the purposes
of this article. Failure of the Committee on the Department of Public
Works to promulgate such rules and regulations shall not have the
effect of suspending or invalidating this article.
Any person subject to an industrial or construction activity
NPDES stormwater discharge permit shall comply with all provisions
of such permit. Proof of compliance with said permit may be required
in a form acceptable to the authorized enforcement agency prior to
the allowing of discharges to the MS4.
In addition to other requirements of local, state, or federal
law, as soon as any person responsible for a facility or operation,
or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation,
has information of any known or suspected release of materials which
are resulting or may result in illegal discharges or pollutants discharging
into stormwater, the storm drain system, or water of the United States
or commonwealth, said person shall take all necessary steps to ensure
the discovery, containment, and cleanup of such release. In the event
of a release of oil or hazardous materials, said person shall immediately
notify emergency response agencies of the occurrence via Taunton Fire
Department. In the event of a release of nonhazardous materials, said
person shall notify the Department of Public Works in person or by
phone or facsimile no later than the next business day. Notifications
in person or by phone shall be confirmed by written notice addressed
and mailed to the Department of Public Works, 90 Ingell Street, Taunton,
MA 02780, within three business days of the phone notice. If the discharge
of prohibited materials emanates from a commercial or industrial establishment,
the owner or operator of such establishment shall also retain an on-site
written record of the discharge and the actions taken to prevent its
recurrence. Such records shall be retained for at least three years.
Residential property owners shall have 180 days from the effective
date of this article to comply with its provisions, provided that
good cause is shown for the failure to comply with this article during
that period.