Announcements:
Ulster County continually revises the Stormwater Management Program to comply with the 2024 NYS MS4 Permit (GP-0-24-001).
Permit Coverage was authorized through a 2024 Notice of Intent.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:2c9e0bda-7cd9-4627-a64f-3... (April 2025)
For questions on the Ulster County Stormwater Management Program, please e-mail stormwater[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us
Stormwater Hotline
Phone: (845) 334-8510
E-mail: stormwater[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us
Call the County stormwater hotline if you wish to report pollution discharges such as:
- Illicit discharges
- Intentional dumping of trash, yard waste, used motor oil, paint, or other pollutants into a storm drain, ditch, pond, lake, or stream.
- Sanitary sewer overflows.
- Discharges of sediments from construction sites into storm drains or tracked onto public roadways.
- Suspected illegal dumping sites
During non-business hours your call will be answered by an automated voicemail system so please speak as clearly as possible. State your name, address, and phone number so we may contact you if additional information is needed. The information you provide is confidential. You may remain anonymous if you wish
What is an Illicit Discharge?
A Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is a system that collects and conveys stormwater back to the environment (surface water or groundwater) without treatment. Thus any discharge into the MS4 that contains pollutants, pathogens, or similar is directly polluting our waters and is considered an Illicit Discharge. An Illicit Discharge refers to any direct or indirect regulated non-stormwater discharge to the County-owned MS4, except as exempted by Local Law # 18 of 2007. Illicit discharges (any non-stormwater discharge except as exempted in Section 6 of the law) contain pollutants and/or pathogens that impact surface waters. Examples of illicit discharges include sewer connections and raw sewage, dumping paint or chemicals into a storm drain, or dumping petroleum-based products into a ditch.
Allowable Discharges
The following examples of discharges are allowable (for the full list see Section 6 in Local Law #18 of 2007):
- water line flushing or other potable water sources
- landscape irrigation/lawn watering
- uncontaminated pumped groundwater
- foundation or footing drains and uncontaminated basement sump pumped water
- activities and uses related to emergency functions and response
Proper Disposal of Materials and Waste
Please follow updated guidelines regarding waste disposal and handling to ensure our environment is not polluted. For guidance and resources on how to dispose of common items and materials check out Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency Resources.
Additional Information Contact
Ulster County Department of Public Works
315 Shamrock Lane
Kingston, N.Y. 12401
Phone: (845) 340-3102
Ulster County Department of the Environment
17 Pearl Street, Box 1800
Kingston, N.Y. 12401
Phone: (845) 338-7287
Ulster County Stormwater Information
- Ulster County Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) (July 2024)
- Ulster County Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination Requirements (Local Law #18 of 2007)
- Ulster County Initiated Construction Projects - Statement of Policy(PDF)
- Ulster County Development Review - Pre Post Construction - Statement of Policy
- 2022 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2022 MS4 Annual Report
- 2021 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2021 MS4 Annual Report
- 2020 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2020 MS4 Annual Report
- 2019 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2019 MS4 Annual Report
- 2018 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2018 MS4 Annual Report
- 2017 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2017 MS4 Annual Report
- 2016 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2016 MS4 Annual Report
- 2015 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2015 MS4 Annual Report
- 2014 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2014 MS4 Annual Report
- 2013 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2013 MS4 Annual Report
- 2012 MS4 Annual Report Summary
- 2012 MS4 Annual Report
- 2011 MS4 Annual Report
- 2010 MS4 Annual Report
- 2009 MS4 Annual Report
- FINAL Municipal Compliance Certification Form- YEAR 5 Report
- FINAL Municipal Compliance Certification Form - YEAR 4 Report
- Pooled Resources - Ulster County Municipal Stormwater Collaborative (PDF)
New York State DEC Links of Interest
- DEC's Stormwater Design Manual for Standard Erosion Control
- DEC's Stormwater Main Page
- Instruction Manual for Stormwater Construction Permit
- State Model Ordinance for Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control
- State Model Ordinance for Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Municipal Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention Guidance
DEC's Stormwater Links
- For construction
- For industrial activities
- For MS4s
- Better Site Design (3 mb PDF)
- Stormwater Credits (1 mb PDF)
Other Web Links
- Introduction from National Association of Home Builders Research Center
- EPA The National Menu of Best Management Practices for Stormwater Phase II Menu of BMPs is based on the Stormwater Phase II Rule's six minimum control measures.
- EPA Watershed Academy: Training module on watershed protection approach that applies eight tools to protect or restore aquatic resources
- EPA- Stormwater Main Page
- CPESC Training Site
- Manual – The Practice of Low Impact Development (3.5 MB PDF)
- The Center for Watershed Protection Strategies for watershed protection that encompasses watershed planning, watershed restoration, stormwater management, watershed research, better site design, education and outreach, and watershed training.
- The Stormwater Manager's Resource Center: Designed specifically for stormwater practitioners, local government officials and others that need technical assistance on stormwater management issues.
