stormwater regulatory context by gregory hoffmann, p.e. of center for watershed protection
DESCRIPTION
Center for Watershed Protection, works with watershed groups, local, state, and federal governments. Provides tools communities need to protect streams, lakes, and rivers. 24 staff in MD, VA, PA, NYTRANSCRIPT
Accelerating Action – The Delaware River Watershed Forum
Session 3
Stormwater Regulatory Context
Gregory Hoffmann, P.E. Center for Watershed
Protection
About the Center for Watershed Protection
• Non-profit 501(c)3, non-advocacy organization• Work with watershed groups, local, state, and
federal governments• Provide tools communities need to protect
streams, lakes, and rivers• 24 staff in MD, VA, PA, NY
www.cwp.org
Who are You?
Are you from…
-a watershed group?
-a local government?
-a state or federal agency?
-a university?
-a somewhere I’ve forgotten to mention?
Who are You?
-How many of you have taken a photograph of a stormwater practice while you are on vacation?
STORMWATER REGULATIONSOUP
CWA
MS4
TMDLWIP
BMP
NPDESID
DECAFO
CSO
EPAESC MEPSSO
Clean Water Act
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System Permits
Total Maximum Daily Loads
Construction
Municipal
Industrial
Clean Water Act
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System Permits
Total Maximum Daily Loads
Construction
Municipal
Industrial
Municipal
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer SystemCombined
Sewers and Wastewater Treatment
Plants Phase IIPhase I
SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
1. Public Education and Outreach
Basics: Make the public aware of their impact on stormwater quality.
Opportunities: • Develop partnerships between community and
watershed groups.• Achieve water quality improvements on
private property.
SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
2. Public Participation/Involvement
Basics: Involve the Public in Development of Stormwater Program
Opportunities: • Better communication between community
and watershed groups.• Achieve public support for stormwater
program.• On-the-ground implementation
SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
3. Illicit Discharge
Detection and Elimination
Basics: “Only Rain Down the
Storm Drain”
Opportunities: • Cleaning up the dirtiest water can have very
significant impacts on overall water quality.
3. Illicit Discharge
Detection and EliminationCWP Maryland Study:• Over 25% of outfalls have dry weather flow• 70-100% of outfalls with dry weather are
potential illicit discharges• Up to 20% of annual nitrogen load and 90% of
total bacteria load.
8”
SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
4. Construction Site Runoff Control
Basics: Enforce Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Opportunities: • Keep sediment
out of waterways.
Source: Schueler and Lugbill, 1990
SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
5. Post Construction Runoff Control
Basics: Require water quality practices for new development and redevelopment.
Opportunities: • “Don’t make it worse.”• Redevelopment can improve water quality if
regulations are implemented.
5. Post Construction Runoff Control
PA: • Volume from 2-year storm increase (3.3”).• Redevelopment: 20% improvement.
NJ: • Volume from 2-year storm increase.• Redevelopment: 50% improvement.
NY: • Volume from 0.8” to 1.2” storm increase• Redevelopment: At least 25% improvement.
SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Basics: Reduce pollution from maintenance activities, storage yards, etc.
Opportunities: • Be an example to the community.• Clean up the dirty water first.
SIX MINIMUM MEASURES + 1
7. TMDL Implementation
Basics: Retrofits, stream restoration, and other restoration practices to meet pollutant goals.
Opportunities: • Retrofits and stream restoration can be very
visible practices, with great water quality benefits.
• Cost effective if you focus on the low-hanging fruit.
POINTS TO CONSIDERAll of the minimum measures have the potential to lead to significant water quality improvements.
Current focus on retrofits should not overshadow other opportunities.
The best watershed plans will consider all types of opportunities.