The 2004 Virginia General Assembly unanimously passed House Bill 1177 transferring regulatory authority of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) programs related to municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) and construction activities from the State Water Control Board to the Soil and Water Conservation Board and transferred oversight of these programs from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This transfer became effective January 29, 2005. As a result, DCR is responsible for the issuance, denial, revocation, termination and enforcement of NPDES permits for the control of stormwater discharges from MS4s and land disturbing activities under the Virginia Stormwater Management Program. The Department of Environmental Quality continues to manage the remaining NPDES program.