Item C: Stormwater Permit and Program Developments

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to special interest groups. An open house for interested persons is tentatively scheduled for November 3, 2005. The Planning Commission will review the draft ordinance in early 2006, and will hold a public hearing in March. The Eugene City Council is scheduled to take action on the proposed standards in May 2006. Program Gap City-wide Policy Regarding Pesticides and Herbicides Another gap identified in the permit-related program evaluation is that the City would benefit from a consistent policy related to public use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers which takes into account the stormwater permit requirements to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges associated with these products. The Public Works Department has identified a staff team with the charge to establish a city- wide integrated pest management policy and outreach to all landscape operations and maintenance managers within the organization to ensure implementation of a city-wide policy. Permit-Related Program Adjustments Permit-related program adjustments necessary to meet the City's new NPDES permit requirements include: expansion of the stormwater monitoring program to include outfall monitoring, one-time upgrades for flow monitoring equipment; and a new three-year pilot study to determine likely sources of bacteria in Eugene's watersheds and assess the effectiveness of various bacteria reduction measures. Other program adjustments include: 1) analyzing production data from street sweepers and vactor trucks to optimize the effectiveness of these programs for water quality; 2) conducting a business awareness effort related to the proper use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers; and 3) formalizing City processes to evaluate the affects of flood control capital projects on water quality, and to evaluate the effectiveness of water quality capital projects. Program Developments The impacts of the City's new NPDES permit are reflected in the previous section with the description of gaps and necessary program adjustments. Other developments in the stormwater program are included in this section for information, and to provide a forecast to the council of items which will likely have a financial impact on the stormwater program in the near future. Water Quality Protected Waterways Implementation of water quality waterway protections for certain sensitive and impaired waterways is a part of the current program workplan. This is not a specific element of the City's NPDES Stormwater Management Plan, but is a best practice employed by other Oregon communities and is consistent with the goals and policies of the City's Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. Staff is working to identify waterways for protection and a draft ordinance is underway at this time. Public outreach for water quality protected waterways is scheduled to begin in January 2006, followed by Planning Commission meetings and a public hearing by May 2006, and City Council action in July 2006. River Road Santa Clara Basin Plan In April 2004, the City entered into a cooperative agreement with Lane County related to stormwater services. Included in the agreement is a commitment to collaborate on completing the draft River Road - Santa Clara Stormwater Basin Master Plan. Staff and consultant work on this project is currently underway. Public involvement has also begun, including meetings with the River Road - Santa Clara Task Force, the River Road Community Organization, and the Santa Clara Community Organization. The final basin plan will include a long term stormwater capital improvement plan and proposed development standards. Emerging issues related to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the continued operation of drywells in the River Road - Santa Clara area will be addressed in the final plan. L\CMOI200S Council AgendasIMOSIOIOISOSIOIOC.doc