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NPDES Phase II in Wake County: Forging A Collaborative Approach to Stormwater Management APWA Conference September 19, 2005. Background. Countywide Stormwater Management Study completed in August, 2005
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NPDES Phase II in Wake County: Forging A Collaborative Approach to Stormwater ManagementAPWA ConferenceSeptember 19, 2005
Background • Countywide Stormwater Management Study completed in August, 2005 • Purpose - evaluate the programmatic, operational and funding options available for the development of a collaborative stormwater program within the County • Focused on water quality protection, flood prevention and compliance with regulatory mandates (Neuse Rule & NPDES II)
Many Jurisdictions Will Soon Fall Under the NPDES Phase II Regulations
Background • County’s Phase II permit submitted to State in 2003 • Co-applicants : Wake County, Wake County Public School System and Wake Technical College • Joint application would facilitate a common stormwater management plan, economies of scale and enhance service delivery
Potential for Collaboration with Municipalities • 10 of the 13 jurisdiction in Wake County are subject to NPDES II • Consideration of a common approach to the six minimum measures makes sense • Public education and outreach • Public participation and involvement • Illicit discharge detection and elimination • Post - construction site runoff controls • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping Other opportunities for collaboration on Stormwater Management
Stormwater Management Is An Integral Component of Providing Both High Quality of Life and Continued Economic Development to Our Community
Stormwater Management Spans Many Issues that Affect Quality of Life and Economic Growth: • Flooding • Public safety • Insurance costs • Development costs • Water Quality • Drinking water • Recreation • TMDL Avoidance • Stream Condition • Aesthetic value • Public safety • Habitat
Most Subwatersheds Have Been Degraded Or Impacted By Urbanization
Approximately 47 percent of streams were monitored by the State 28 percent of all monitored streams were impaired 2 named streams have been added in the 2004 303(d) update The State Has Identified 93 Miles of Streams Throughout Wake County As “Not-Supporting” For Their Intended Uses 2002 303(d) List of Impaired Streams These Conditions Will Persist As Development Occurs in the County
Local Government Staff Are Responsible for Maintaining Compliance with Several State and Federal Regulatory Programs • Neuse River Nutrient Sensitive Waters Strategy (i.e. “Neuse Rules”) • Raleigh, Cary, Garner and Wake County • Water Supply Watershed Protection • Impacts 9 of the 13 jurisdictions • Sediment and Erosion Control • Required in every jurisdiction • Floodplain Management • Required in every jurisdiction • NPDES II
What Can We Do to Address These Environmental Issues and New Regulatory Requirements More Efficiently and Effectively in the County?
The County Convened a Stormwater Focus Group to Evaluate the Feasibility of a Collaborative Stormwater Program • Representatives from all 13 jurisdictions participated in the process • 10 meetings were held between November ’04 and June ’05 • Provided information for an Individual Needs Assessment (INA) of their program • Developed recommendationsfor a collaborativestormwater program tomeet common goals
Individual Needs Assessments Were Performed for Each Community
Stormwater Management’s Three Functional Areas • Stormwater Program Management • The planning and management of assets, including compliance with state and federal regulations • Operations and Maintenance • Efforts to maintain collection system assets to ensure that they operate at peak efficiency • Capital Improvements Project (CIP) • The construction of new assets to upgrade older portions of the system to meet desired Level of Service
All Individual Stormwater Programs in the County Received a LOS Rating of “C” or Lower A “C” Level of Service rating has not been sufficient to prevent our streams and watersheds from continuing to experience impacts due to uncontrolled stormwater runoff
A Decreasing Level of Service F Level of Service Will Decrease Over Time if Existing Resources Remain Constant Constant Funding Funding Time
The Focus Group Developed a Vision For Addressing Stormwater Management In Wake County: • Develop a collaborative program with voluntary participation to manage stormwater • Efficient and effective regulatory compliance • Consider the development ofa stable and dedicated sourceof funding • Implement appropriate environmental monitoring to assess effectiveness of program
To Achieve This Vision, We Propose ToMove Forward With Two Parallel Initiatives: • Initiative 1: Continue the Stormwater Managers Focus Group to develop/implement programs • Selection and implementation of demonstration projects to build the foundation for future collaborative projects
Initiative 1 Collaborative Program Recommendations • Development of a county-wide environmental monitoring program • Development of a common GIS system for stormwater asset inventory • Development of a common ordinance and program for post-construction controls (including design manual) • Development of a countywide training program for selected stormwater activities
Initiative 2 - Creation of a Countywide Stormwater Management Task Force • Comprised of citizens from each of the participating jurisdictions • Task force will build on the efforts of this study and will consider feasibility issues
Task Force Activities: • Detailed review of the recommendations from the first phase of the project • Cost/benefit evaluation for recommended programs • Identify citizen expectations for stormwater level of service • Develop funding recommendations • Develop an implementation plan
Action Requested • That the Board of Commissioner’s authorize its Chairman to send a letter to each of the municipalities requesting that they appoint one citizen member and one alternate to serve on the Countywide Stormwater Management Task Force.
Each Jurisdiction Was Assigned a Level of Service (LOS) rating of A F for Three Key Components of Stormwater Management • Stormwater Program Management • The planning and management of assets associated with stormwater, including compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements • Operations and Maintenance • The management of stormwater assets to assure that the assets continue to operate at peak efficiency • Capital Improvements Project (CIP) • The construction of new assets that upgrade older portions of the stormwater system and that handle growth within the system A LOS “F” program is non-responsive or reactive while a LOS “A” program is pro-active
Why Does Wake County Need a Collaborative Stormwater Management Program? • Environmental concerns are important to the citizens of Wake County • Citizens desired a higher level of service when presented with a choice in Raleigh • Must responsibly balance growthand environmental protection • Must overcome staff andfunding limitations tomeet regulatory requirementsand citizen’s expectations forlevel of service