State Seeks Control Over Federal Water Pollution Monitoring 

HYANNIS – State officials are seeking more control over of a federal water pollution program.

Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states that does not administer on its own the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. The program regulates the discharge of pollutants into bodies of water by public or private entities.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has filed a bill with state lawmakers that if approved, would allow Massachusetts to apply for permission from the EPA to run the program at the state level, with continued federal oversight.

That move would take away some of the federal control over projects such as Cape Cod’s nitrogen cleanup and put it with the state.

Baker says that would give Massachusetts an “active, hands-on role” over the issuing of permits for wastewater and stormwater discharges.

The Baker administration says it will commit $4.7 million to run the program.