Title
Report: Annual Stormwater Regulatory Updates
Body
Local stormwater and flooding issues must comply with two federal regulatory branches. Stormwater quality (water pollution) is regulated by the 1987 Clean Water Act Amendments, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The other regulatory branch is through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that is regulated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The purpose of this presentation is to satisfy the regulatory requirement in those programs.
Stormwater quality is governed by the City’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permit issued by MDNR. The 5-year permit was renewed in December 2021, and it will expire in September 2026. The permit requires the City to implement six minimum control measures (MCMs) to manage stormwater pollution prevention. The permit requires the City to produce an annual highlight of MCM activities. Following the report submittal, the permit requires submitting an abbreviated report summary to elected officials.
The second regulatory branch, FEMA, governs the regulatory flood hazard areas. The City’s participation in the NFIP requires adopting ordinances, enforcing ordinances, and periodic inspections as required by the NFIP regulations. In 2020, City Council authorized the City to voluntarily participate in the Community Rating System (CRS) program in an effort to reduce the risks of structural flooding, and thus lower flood insurance premiums. The Substantial Damage Plan (SDP) is a tool that will help the City qualify for additional flood insurance discounts. In order to qualify for points in the CRS program, the SDP must be presented to elected officials. No action is required. This plan is an internal document that merely records in writing the procedures the City is already doing as part of the NFIP.
Presenter
George Binger, PE, City Engineer