TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 7, 2019
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Request for approval of methodology for conducting a regional stormwater detention and volume control trading program pilot study under Watershed Management Ordinance Article 208
Body
Dear Sir:
Pursuant to Article 208 of the Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO), the District shall initiate a study of certain provisions of and potential amendments to the WMO. The study shall be initiated by the end of 2019 with a targeted completion date of May 2022. Article 208.1 consists of a regional stormwater detention and volume control credit trading program pilot study.
The Engineering Department proposes that the pilot study accomplish three goals. The first goal is to determine whether allowing developments to meet a portion of the required volume control or detention in offsite facilities results in increased risk of flooding to downstream areas. The second goal is to determine whether allowing use of offsite detention and volume control facilities for developments in two sample watersheds, without requiring developers to prove they have a site constraint or limitation, leads to more development, and/or construction of stormwater retention facilities in flood prone areas. The third goal of the study is to determine whether additional conditions should be placed on developments that seek to use offsite detention and volume control facilities, to protect adjacent properties or to administer the program more efficiently. A detailed scope of work for the pilot study is attached. This scope of work has been reviewed by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and comments have been incorporated.
Article 208 indicates that the study shall be completed by May 2022. The TAC recommended that the pilot study proposed to comply with Article 208.1 be conducted for a minimum of five years. This is necessary to allow time for development of supply sites. Additionally, developers considering using offsite facilities need adequate time to locate supply sites and negotiate maintenance agreements with owners of these sites, before obtaining WMO permits for their developments. For these reasons, the Engineering Department recommends revising the completion date for the pilot study required under Article 208.1 to May 2025. The attached scope of work reflects this date.
Should the Board of Commissioners agree with this proposed methodology for the pilot study and with the recommended schedule, an amendment to the WMO will be presented to the Board which will allow the pilot study to begin.
It is therefore requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it approve this request describing the methodology for conducting the pilot study required under Article 208.1.
Respectfully Submitted, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:MD
Recommended, Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for November 7, 2019
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