Item C: Stormwater Permit and Program Developments

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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY c Work Session: Stonnwater Permit and Program Developments Meeting Date: October 10, 2005 Department: Public Works www.eugene-or.gov Agenda Item Number: C Staff Contact: Therese Walch Contact Telephone Number: 682-8647 ISSUE STATEMENT In March 2004, the Department of Environmental Quality issued the City of Eugene a new National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for its municipal stormwater system discharges to waters of the state. The new permit includes additional requirements, in comparison to the City's first NPDES permit issued in 1994, including in the areas of water quality monitoring, reporting, evaluation, addressing specific problem pollutants, and public involvement. An internal review of the City's NPDES permit-related activities in light of the new permit conditions has recently been completed and public outreach is now underway. This work session is to update the City Council on the results of the review, to forecast other upcoming developments in the stormwater program, and to provide an opportunity for the council to give advanced input on including funding for NPDES permit- related items in the FY07 budget. BACKGROUND Local Stormwater Policy In 1993, the Eugene City Council adopted the Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan (CSWMP), thus providing the policy framework for a comprehensive approach to stormwater management. The impetus for CSWMP came from the need to meet the federal Clean Water Act. CSWMP includes policies, goals and implementation measures. The implementation measures are divided into two categories: Best Management Practices (BMPs) submitted as part of the City's NPDES permit; and "other actions." The BMPs are items the City has committed to fulfill under the NPDES permit. The other actions are items the City desires to implement, but are not part of the NPDES requirements. First NPDES Permit The City of Eugene received its first National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in 1994, a requirement of the Clean Water Act for communities greater than 100,000 in population. Eugene was one of six large communities in Oregon issued permits under "Phase I" of the NPDES program. In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the responsible state agency for administering the NPDES program. The NPDES permit lists best management practices (BMPs) that the City has committed to implement. Stormwater Program Review 2003 In 2003, the council held a series of four work sessions on the stormwater program due to a projected budget deficit of $2.1 million in fiscal year (FY) 2005. In August 2003, the council directed staff to L\CMOI200S Council AgendasIMOSIOIOISOSIOIOC.doc