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• <br /> developed residential subdivisions have proven to be difficult to maintain, and in some <br /> cases no longer function, in part due to their use as disposal areas for brush, grass, <br /> and other materials. An increasing number of ponding situations are occurring after <br /> storms because of inadequate drainage due to blocked culverts or inlets or backwater <br /> caused by undersized downstream storm sewers. As the city continues to expand, <br /> particularly in neighborhoods in west and north Eugene where the slope of the land <br /> does not encebtrage natural runoff, changes in the storm drain system willlap required. <br /> NEW STORM WATER REGULATIONS -- Research by the U.S. Environmental <br /> Protection Agency has found that much more pollution is discharged into the nations <br /> waterways from urban storm drain systems than from regional wastewater treatment <br /> plants. As a result, all major U.S. cities are required to apply for a permit from the <br /> U.S.E.P.A. to discharge surface water into regional waterways. Eugene's first <br /> application was due in 1992. A five year permit was granted but only after the City <br /> outlined a detailed plan of activities it will undertake to enhance the quality of -its storm <br /> runoff. <br /> THREATENED WETLAND RESOURCES -- At the same time Eugene has been <br /> required to respond to new federal and state requirements to achieve a "no net loss" <br /> of wetlands in both quantity and quality in West Eugene. Growth of the city's <br /> developed areas over the past several decades threatens to all but eliminate <br /> the city's wetlands which are viewed not only as an important provide but also as a <br /> significant water drainage and water quality natural resource for the aesthetic and <br /> environmental value they resource. <br /> PROPOSED SERVICE DELIVERY APPROACH FOR THE FUTURE <br /> Historically, stormwater management in Eugene has focused on drainage and flood <br /> control objectives. Demands for improved water quality, wetland restoration, and <br /> enhanced drainage performance and capacity have come together in a way that has <br /> enabled the city's total approach to stormwater management to be re- evaluated. <br /> After extensive public involvement and comment, the City Council adopted a <br /> Comprehensive Storm Water Management Plan (CSWMP) in _ of 19 . This plan <br /> calls for a new approach to the delivery of stormwater services that calls for the <br /> provision of stormwater services with multiple objectives in mind: storm drainage, <br /> surface water quality management, and related natural resource preservation. The <br /> Comprehensive plan adds several work activities to the traditional stormwater service <br /> that will cost on average an additional $2.6 million annually egin resource <br /> ig in 95: water <br /> quality inspection, enforcement, and management; related natural <br /> management; public education efforts to encourage proactive citizen stewardship of <br /> stormwater related natural resources; modification of construction standards; and a <br /> comprehensive redesign of the storm drainage system to achieve an integrated <br /> drainage /water quality /natural resource management system that meets the future <br /> needs of the citizens of Eugene. <br />