Stormwater Policy Team 2002 - 2003

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DRAFT City of Eugene Public Works Department Stormwater Management Program FACT SHEET- Proposed Stormwater Quality Development Standards This Fact Sheet provides a summary description of the City of Eugene's proposed regulations related to Stormwater Quality Development Standards. It was created to help the community understand why the regulations are needed, basic concepts used in developing the regulations, what the regulations include, who is affected, and how to get more information and participate in the public review and adoption process. Why are the Regulations Needed? Urban stormwater runoff has been identified as a major source of pollution in our country's waterways. The Federal Clean Water Act requires municipalities to reduce stormwater pollution "to the maximum extent practicable." Through a permit issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality,the City of Eugene is required to undertake a variety of measures aimed at reducing stormwater pollution, including the proposed water quality regulations. For more information about other City water quality measures, visit the City's Web site as addressed below. Basic Concepts of the Regulations The following concepts were used in formulating these regulations: • Start at the source. Because water quality is most easily and economically achieved when managed at the point where rainfall becomes runoff, the regulations focus on new and redevelopment sites where solutions can be incorporated at the site planning stage. • Think small storms. The focus of the regulations is on the smaller storms—those that occur several times a year—because they make the largest contribution to total annual runoff. • Solution is in the BMPs. Stormwater quality best management practices, or BMPs, are the primary means for new development to reduce impacts on stormwater quality. The BMP Manual was developed to provide a wide range of measures that are proven effective for complying with these regulations. Some are relatively simple and take advantage of landscape conditions, such as"site controls," while others are more sophisticated and complex, such as proprietary filtering devices. By integrating a few simple BMPs throughout a site, standards can be achieved economically and with modest maintenance needs. • Maintenance is key. Long-term BMP effectiveness depends on a regular maintenance program. BMP maintenance is the responsibility of property owners except, for some residential uses and circumstances, the City may assume maintenance responsibility. What The Regulations Include and Who is Affected There are four general categories of water quality regulations: 1) Stormwater Quality Controls [9.6250] -requires runoff from new development or significant redevelopment be treated by a BMP before leaving a site. • Applies to all new land use applications and development permits involving 3,000 square feet or more of new or replaced impervious surface area. See ordinance for exemptions.