Did you know that JMU is an MS4 entity?
A common misconception is that the University operates under the City of Harrisonburg's MS4 Program Plan, but we indeed do not!
While many aspects of the two MS4 programs are similar and the overall goals are the same - to improve water quality and decrease non-point source pollution - the City and JMU are covered under separate permits and operate according to their own program plans.
By definition, a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is a conveyance or system of conveyances otherwise known as a municipal separate storm sewer system, including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels, or storm drains.
Operators of large, medium, and regulated small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems are required to obtain permit coverage in order to discharge pollutants to state waters. The large, medium and small designations are based on urban areas as determined by census data. JMU has been designated as a small MS4 and has obtained general permit coverage which requires the development of a program plan to cover the following minimum control measures:
- Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts
- Public involvement/participation
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE)
- Construction site stormwater runoff control
- Post-construction stormwater management in new development and development on prior developed lands
- Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations
Public comments and/or input on the University's MS4 Program Plan or TMDL Action Plans may be submitted at any time to the Stormwater Coordinator at stormwater@jmu.edu. Comments are welcome for any of the linked documents below.
MS4 Program Plan and Annual Reports
MS4 Program Plan 2023 - 2028 (Registration Statement in Appendix A)
MS4 Permit Coverage Letter (2023-2028)
2025 Annual Report (best for printing)
2024 Annual Report (best for printing)
2023 Annual Report (best for printing)
To view archived annual reports, please email stormwater@jmu.edu.
For questions about the MS4 Program Plan and/or the TMDL Action Plans below, or to provide input or comments, please email the Stormwater Coordinator or call 540-568-3174.
Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan
Part of JMU's stormwater programs requires us to develop an action plan showing how the university will meet the needed pollutant reductions of our general permit.
Chesapeake Bay Phase 1 TMDL Action Plan (2016)
Chesapeake Bay Phase 2 TMDL Action Plan (2018)
Chesapeake Bay Phase 3 TMDL Action Plan (2023)
For additional information on regulations and guidance documents, please visit the following links:
Report Stormwater Pollution on Campus
Please be prepared to give the following information if possible:
- Source of pollution
- Location of problem
- Responsible party (if known)
- Date and time
