What is a secondary permittee in the context of NPDES?

In the context of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), a secondary permittee refers to individuals or entities, such as individual lot owners or builders, who are conducting activities on a site that is subject to land disturbance. These individuals may not hold the primary permit but have responsibilities under the permit due to their involvement in construction activities that could lead to stormwater discharges.

In NPDES regulations, both primary and secondary permittees play crucial roles in ensuring compliance with erosion and sediment control measures. The primary permittee usually holds the main responsibility for discharges from the site and is accountable for overall compliance with the permit requirements. However, secondary permittees, like builders and lot owners, must also adhere to the established sediment control practices and may be held liable for non-compliance.

This designation helps to ensure that everyone involved at the site is aware of their responsibilities in mitigating environmental impact through proper management of stormwater runoff.