The Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (Program) was organized in response to the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay Region (1986 Basin Plan).  Section 402 (p) of the CWA, as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987, requires:    National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for separate municipal storm drain systems,  industrial (including construction) storm water discharges and designated discharges which are significant contributors of pollutants to waters of the United States.   The development of individual control strategies for non-point sources of pollution.  Compliance with water quality standards (for “impaired” bodies of water) within three years.     The 1986 Basin Plan and its subsequent amendments required regulated agencies to submit plans for identifying and evaluating urban non-point sources, pollutant loading and control measures for South San Francisco Bay.       Since the Program recognized that federal and state regulations would affect them, they joined together to apply for a joint NPDES municipal storm water permit.  This association would allow each participating agency to discharge storm water to South San Francisco Bay under one common permit.   In June 1990, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) issued the Program its first NPDES permit.  The permit was reissued in 1995 and amended in 1999.      On February 21, 2001, the Program was reissued its third NPDES permit.  On October 17, 2001, Provision C.3 was revised to include far reaching and visionary requirements for controlling pollutants from new and redevelopment activities.    (back to top)