NPDES Phase II in Wake County: Forging A Collaborative Approach to Stormwater Management

APWA ConferenceSeptember 19, 2005

NPDES Phase II in Wake County: Forging A Collaborative Approach to Stormwater Management

APWA 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)

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

Most Subwatersheds Have Been Degraded Or Impacted By Urbanization

The State Has Identified 93 Miles of Streams Throughout Wake County As “Not-Supporting” For Their Intended Uses

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

2002 303(d) List of Impaired Streams

These Conditions Will PersistAs 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

Many Jurisdictions Will Soon Fall Under the NPDES Phase II RegulationsPhase IPermit

Phase IIMunicipalitie

s

Phase IICounty

Not Regulated

City of Raleigh

Apex Wake CountyTown of

Wendell

CaryTown of

Zebulon

Garner

Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs

Knightdale

Morrisville

Rolesville

Wake Forest

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 Consultant facilitated process Representatives from all 13

jurisdictions participated 10 meetings were held between

November ’04 and June ’05 Developed recommendations

for 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

Stormwater Level of Service (LOS) Matrix

All Individual Stormwater Programs in the County Received a LOS Rating of “C” or Lower

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Nu

mb

er

of

Ju

ris

dic

tio

ns

A B C D F

LOS Rating

A “C” Level of Service rating has not been

sufficient to prevent our streams andwatersheds from continuing to

experienceimpacts due to uncontrolled stormwater

runoff

Level of Service Will Decrease Over Time if Existing Resources Remain Constant

Fu

nd

ing

Fu

nd

ing

Constant FundingConstant Funding

TimeTime

DecreasingLevel of Service

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 demonstration projects to build the foundation for future collaborative projects

Initiative 1 Collaborative Program Recommendations

1)Development of a county-wide environmental monitoring program

2)Development of a common GIS system for stormwater asset inventory

3)Development of a common ordinance and program for post-construction controls (including design manual)

4)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

Thank You For Your Time And Interest!

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 systemA 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