United States            Watershed Management Unit
Environmental Protection     Water Division, Region V
Agency                Chicago, IL
                                                                   February 1991
vyEPA
Institutional  Support  for
Stormwater  Management
Programs
      Focus of Stormwater Management:  Quantity
      and Quality Control
               he hydrologic effects of urbanization
               have been manifest in the general
               degradation of water quality, habitat,
               and  aesthetics, increased flooding
               frequency, and stream erosion.
               Historically, Stormwater management
               has  primarily focused upon the
      control of flooding. The 1987 amendments to the
      Federal Clean Water Act, however, mandate that
      the role of Stormwater management be expanded
      to include the protection of water quality. As a
      result, Stormwater management programs are now
                       being initiated at state and local levels to address
                       both Stormwater quality and quantity issues.
                         Engineering approaches that were once used
                       to prevent flooding are now being re-evaluated
                       with respect to their effectiveness in the
                       preservation of natural stream systems.
                       Stormwater management programs have
                       expanded to involve a multidisciplinary team of
                       engineers, planners, and scientists concerned with
                       water quality, flooding, fisheries, and habitat
                       protection or enhancement.
      Getting a Stormwater Management Ordinance/Program
      Started
               he process of implementing a
               Stormwater management program
               requires technical input in defining
               the magnitude of the problem and
               possible solutions, a mandate for
               establishing the authority by which
               Stormwater can be controlled, and
      the creation of a funding mechanism to support the
      implemented program. Figure 1 provides a general
      overview of the process involved. The following is
      a brief description of the steps leading to the
      problem solution:
                       Problem Recognition

                       The first step is to identify the existence and
                       magnitude of existing and/or potential
                       stormwater-related problems. Local municipalities
                       are responsible for the quality and quantity of the
                       runoff leaving their jurisdiction. The impetus to
                       start a program can originate locally with the
                       identification of Stormwater problems, or it can
                       arise out of federal or state legislation mandating
                       Stormwater management.

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                             •PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT'
  PROBLEM
  RECOGNITION
NEEDS
ANALYSIS
PROGRAM
PLANNING"
IMPLEMENTATION
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
                                   FUNDING
   Figure 1.—Surface Water Management Process
   The existence of stormwater-related problems
or legislative requirements leads to a formal
recognition by the elected officials and in turn
establishes the basis for developing the program.
The action taken on the part of the elected officials
can include the formal adoption of a policy on
stormwater or the passage of ordinances granting
the authority needed for the development and
funding of a stormwater management program.

Needs Assessment

The needs assessment serves to establish the
scope of the  proposed program. It can include a
review of existing problems and/or projected future
problems, the definition of statutory authority and
legal responsibilities, and the identification of
jurisdictional  boundaries.
   The needs assessment culminates in a
statement of the goals and objectives for the
proposed stormwater management program. A
recent review of proposed federal requirements
concerning stormwater management and the
needs of local jurisdictions identified the following
goals for an "ideal" stormwater management
program designed to address stormwater quality
and quantity  issues:
   1.  Protect water quality through the
      implementation of urban nonpoint source
      controls and best management practices;
   2.  Prevent any degradation in.high quality
      waters;
   3.  Protect fish and aquatic habitat;

   4.  Apply consistent regulations and
      enforcement throughout the region;
                            5.  Control stormwater quantity to the maximum
                                extent necessary to prevent flooding;

                            6.  Promote public education/involvement
                                programs; and

                            7.  Coordinate with other environmental and
                                resource management programs.


                          Program Planning

                          Program planning defines the specific elements
                          needed to meet the goals and objectives of the
                          stormwater management program. Each element
                          needs to be defined in terms of scope, authority,
                          staffing, and funding.
                            The various elements that will be included in a
                          stormwater management program will vary
                          according  to the goals of the program and the
                          types of problems the local jurisdiction is facing.
                          The following is a description of specific elements
                          that can be included in an ideal stormwater
                          management  program:

                          • Information:  Map elements of the stormwater
                          system and water features. Relevant information
                          includes drainage networks, stormwater control
                          facilities, the location and classification of streams
                          and wetlands, the locations of direct industrial
                          discharges and combined sewer outfalls, basin
                          boundaries, jurisdictional boundaries, flood plains,
                          existing and proposed land uses, and known or
                          potential water quality problem sites.

                          • Monitoring: Collect data to help direct
                          management decisions and/or provide support for
                          enforcement actions. Typical monitoring data
                          include water quality and streamflow

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measurements. The monitoring program should be
designed to address specific issues or problems
within individual basins. Short-term monitoring can
be used to establish the source of existing
problems or evaluate the performance of
implemented solutions. Long-term collection of
data can be used to identify trends.

• Ordinances: Institute ordinances to address the
quality and quantity of stormwater. Ordinances
pertaining to stormwater quality need to address
water quality at discharge points, nonpoint source
pollution, erosion and sediment control, spill
control, the prohibition of nonstorm discharges
from discharging to municipal stormdrains, the
protection of sensitive areas, and the ability to
enter into agreements with dischargers to
municipally owned systems. In terms of quality and
quantity, stormwater from  new developments
should be detained and discharged at rates and
quality comparable to predeveloped conditions.

• Planning: Conduct studies to develop
comprehensive drainage basin plans. The plans
provide direction for land use issues and help to
establish the stormwater controls necessary on a
basinwide scale.

• Spill response:  Create and maintain a spill
response/trouble call system that can respond to
water quality problems or  chemical spills.
Coordinate spill response activities with federal,
state, and local authorities.

• Capital improvement projects: If necessary
and feasible, design and construct capital
improvement projects as a part of the stormwater
management program. Such projects can include
water quality treatment systems, conveyance
structures, or regional detention facilities.

• Operations and maintenance: Provide
adequate staff, equipment, and financial support to
ensure proper  operation and maintenance of
stormwater management facilities. Activities can
include routine cleaning of catch basins, drainage
ditches, oil water separators, and
detention/retention  ponds.
• Agreements with neighboring jurisdictions:
Enter into agreements with local jurisdictions
sharing stormwater management responsibilities
for a particular drainage basin.

• Education and public involvement: Educate
citizens and businesses about the effects of
stormwater. Provide convenient alternatives for
dumping  wastes into stormdrains. Involve citizens
in routine monitoring programs.

• Enforcement: Provide a. means for
enforcement of established ordinances and permit
requirements. Define jurisdictional
authority/responsibility by area or type of
infraction. Use trained  personnel to verify
compliance.
Implementation

Process by which the stormwater management
program is formally implemented depends upon
the enabling legislation granting
authority/responsibility to the local jurisdictions. In
some instances, the ordinances may be adopted
following public hearings. In other cases, a general
election may be required for passage.  Separate
legislative guidelines govern the passage of
stormwater control-related ordinances and the
establishment of funding sources.
Funding

Funding is required for both the formation and
operation of the stormwater management
program. In terms of the long-term operation of the
program, the key funding issues are: (1) how much
money is required to fund the program each year,
and (2) how to support the program  with a
consistent and dedicated funding base. Financing
alternatives can include the sale of bonds, the
formation of local improvement districts, the
creation of special districts, charges imposed on
developments, utility service charges, and/or
general tax revenues.

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    Public Involvement

    Public involvement is a key component throughout
    the process. A citizen advisory committee should
    be formed at the start of the process so that it can
    take an active role in providing direction for the
    stormwater  management program. Periodic public
    meetings during the process can help to educate
    the public and also provide opportunities for
    comment from the general public.
Problem Solution

The pathway shown in Figure 1 is presented as a
linear progression with the outcome being a
solution to the problems that initiated the process.
In practice, the pathway should contain feedback
mechanisms to allow the program to adapt to
changing needs. For example, monitoring that is
conducted to verify the performance of the
program can lead to changes in the approach or
solution to individual problems. Changes in a
federal or state policy concerning stormwater can
also affect the program goals.
                                       V
                                TERRENE
                                    INSTITUTE
This project was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Enforcement
an'd Permits-Water Permits Division and managed by Region V Watershed Management Unit-
Water Division. Prepared by Entranco Engineers, Inc. and JT&A, Inc.  For copies of this publica-
tion,  contact The Terrene Institute, 1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 300,  Washington, DC
20036, (202) 833-3380.
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