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    General NPDES Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Mining Activities

    The sample GP-104 permit, EPA Fact Sheet, and Notice of Intent for Coverage for BMP GP-104 can be found on the DEP eLibrary. Please review these documents carefully before applying for coverage under this General Permit.

    IMPORTANT NOTICE: This permit will expire on March 27, 2026. A reissued permit will be effective March 28, 2026. Operators who wish to retain coverage under the reissued permit must apply for a renewal. See RENEWAL information below.


    What is the BMP GP-104?

    BMP GP-104 is a simplified NPDES permit process. An NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit is required for stormwater associated with mining activity. A mining and/or reclamation operation with earth disturbance of one acre or greater in size is required to have an individual NPDES permit, or coverage under a general NPDES permit, if the site has expected or potential discharges of stormwater runoff. The BMP GP 104 is a tool to provide NPDES permit coverage for eligible coal and noncoal mine sites to address stormwater associated with mining activities in lieu of an individual NPDES permit. Best management practices (BMPs) outlined in the Notice of Intent (NOI) are used to control the runoff that may or may not result in a point-source discharge.

    The General Permit is issued by DEP for a 5-year span. Operators wishing to use the GP-104 apply for coverage for the current permit by completing a Notice of Intent and accepting the standard permit terms, conditions, and requirements. Prior to the expiration of the General Permit term, the DEP publishes in the Pennsylvania Bulletin the draft of the proposed reissued GP-104 for public comments and subsequently publishes the final version.

    Regardless of when an operator receives coverage under BMP GP-104, this coverage expires the same day as the General Permit expires. If the operator requires the coverage to continue past that date, they can reapply under the reissued permit. The coverage is not transferable to another operator.

    Please refer to the Permit and Fact Sheet for eligibility requirements

    Electronic submission of monitoring results

    All facilities covered under BMP GP-104 must report their monitoring and sampling results at least once annually. Because most facilities covered under BMP GP-104 do not discharge, the permittee may not have a sample to collect and report. All permittees must comply with the federal electronic reporting rule 40 CFR Part 127: NPDES Electronic Reporting. That means, the permittee must report electronically even if it is to certify that “no discharge” occurred.

    Greenport

    Submit your eDMR no later than January 28th to fulfill the yearly requirement for the preceding year. Reporting can be submitted any time during the year.

    • If you have questions about the BMP GP-104 permit, fact sheet, or process, contact the Bureau of Mining Programs at RA-EPMININGPERMITS@pa.gov or 717-787-5103. Or, contact your mine inspector or District Mining Office.

    Renewal of Coverage (2025-2026)

    For each mining operation, submit the following via electronic submittal or by mail to your District Mining Office:

    See also

    Renewals should be submitted by January 30, 2026. Contact your District Mining Office with questions.

    District Mining Offices counties and contact information

    Pottsville District Mining Office
    5 West Laurel Boulevard
    Pottsville PA 17901-2522
    RA-EPPOTTSVILLEDMO@pa.gov
    Counties: Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Columbia, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming, York

    Moshannon District Mining Office
    186 Enterprise Drive
    Philipsburg PA 16866
    RA-EPMOSHANNON@pa.gov
    Counties: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union

    Knox District Mining Office
    P.O. Box 669
    Knox PA 16232
    RA-EPKNOX@pa.gov
    Counties: Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, Warren

    Cambria District Mining Office
    286 Industrial Park Road
    Ebensburg PA 15931
    RA-EPCAMBRIADMO@pa.gov
    Counties: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Somerset

    New Stanton District Mining Office
    P.O. Box 133
    New Stanton PA 15672
    RA-EPNEWSTANTON@pa.gov
    Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland

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