On August 12, 2024, EPA issued a Clean Water Act Administrative Compliance Order to the Town of Blackstone, Massachusetts for alleged violations of the 2016 General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems in Massachusetts (2016 MS4 Permit). The Order cites the municipality's failure to develop or modify, as appropriate, a post-construction stormwater management ordinance within three years of the effective date of the Permit (i.e., by July 1, 2022). The Order requires the Town of Blackstone to enact a post-construction stormwater management ordinance or other regulatory mechanism by December 13, 2024. The municipality must notify EPA that such an ordinance or regulatory mechanism has become effective within seven days of its effective date and provide EPA with a copy of its regulatory mechanism. The Order will facilitate the reduction of pollutants found in the permittee's stormwater through the retention or treatment of stormwater after construction on new or redeveloped sites. The municipality is in an area of potential environmental justice concern. EPA coordinated with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on these matters.