STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Annual Training for Municipal Officials February 22, 2017 Brian M. McCaffrey Stormwater Management Program Administrator Village of Port Jefferson
Stormwater Management Permit: Background Village was first authorized to discharge stormwater by permit in 2003 Current Permit GP-0-15-003 – SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) Expires April 30, 2017 Draft Permit GP-0-17-002 – SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) Public Comment Period was extended twice, currently to February 3, 2017 Extensive comments have been received by the DEC Implementation date not yet scheduled
General Consensus by Other Municipalities Concerned that the Draft GP-0-17-002 permit is too extensive and will require significant resources above municipal operations budgets. Draft permit requirements are far broader than those of other NE states. TMDL (total maximum daily load) assumptions overestimate the true storm sewer contribution to the impairment. Draft permit does not take into consideration the highly infiltrative soils of Long Island as compared to other areas of the State.
Draft Additional Requirements: Administrative Update the Village’s Stormwater Management Program Plan Designate a Stormwater Program Coordinator Stormwater Program Coordinator must receive 4-hours of training Training does not currently exist Develop staffing plan Identifies roles and responsibilities for each element of the program Organizational chart Update storm sewer map Number and size of connections to catch basins and manholes Areas of concern (sewer district, areas served by septic, commercial) Develop an Illicit Discharge Enforcement Response Plan Actions for violations of illicit discharges and construction ordinances Enforcement tracking
Draft Additional Requirements: MCM 1 – Public Education & Outreach Targeted at specific issues and activities relevant to the MS4 Increase public awareness Change pollutant generating behaviors through education Adjust education programs based on information received from the public Improve education program effectiveness through more frequent messaging
Draft Additional Requirements: MCM 2 – Public Involvement / Participation Increase opportunities for public involvement in development and implementation of the stormwater management program Citizen advisory groups Public hearings or meetings Beach cleanups Adopt a highway / beach / catch basin Increase notification of public participation opportunities Annual report available to review and comment by May 1 Present at public meeting or post on website Local Point of Contact Publish name, title, and contact information on all public outreach and public participation materials
Draft Additional Requirements: MCM 3 – Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination Establish hotline for the public to report illicit discharges Identify areas with high illicit discharge potential Show high priority outfalls on map Provide annual training for all individuals performing outfall inspections Inspect all high priority outfalls once per year Inspect low priority outfalls every 5 years Provide annual training to individuals tracking down illicit discharges Increase education to public on illicit discharges
Draft Additional Requirements: MCM 4 – Construction Site Runoff Control Adopt Local Law for Stormwater Management and Erosion & Sediment Control (October 2016) Increased training requirements for SWPPP reviewers Increased training requirements for Site Inspectors Assess all construction sites for potential risks to water quality impacts and identify high priority sites for inspection
Draft Additional Requirements: MCM 5 – Post-Construction Management No new requirements
Draft Additional Requirements: MCM 6 – Municipal Facilities & Operations Inspect high priority facilities once each year (previously every 3 years) Fleet maintenance facilities, DPW garages, salt storage, equipment storage Quarterly visual monitoring of discharges from high priority facilities Inspect low priority facilities once every 5 years (previously not req’d) Public buildings (schools, libraries, fire stations, municipal buildings), parks, parking lots, golf courses, swimming pools Assess municipal operations annually (previously every 3 years) Inspect roadway catch basins High priority – once per year Moderate priority – once every 2 years Low priority – once every 5 years
Overview of Program: 2016 – 2017
How Are We Doing? Pathogen Loading Reductions Majority of Harbor has been permanently closed to shellfishing due to water quality concerns from sewage treatment plant and marinas. Data from 2003 to 2016 shows trending declines in both fecal coliform and total coliform at various sampling locations in Port Jefferson Harbor. Water quality goals likely have been achieved at three of five sampling locations in the Harbor; the exception being the extreme southern end.
How Are We Doing? Pathogen Loading Reductions Seasonality appears to play a strong role in both fecal coliform and total coliform concentrations in the Harbor. Concentrations peak in June to October months, coinciding with boating season. Plausible that sanitary discharges from boats are a significant source of pathogens in the Harbor.
Rolled-Out New Public Education Campaign: Boat Sewage
Rolled-Out New Public Education Campaign: 15 to the Harbor New public education campaign targeting the general public: In Port Jefferson, it takes less than 15 minutes for polluted stormwater runoff entering a storm drain to discharge into the Harbor. More concise stormwater education tips on website
Thank you! Questions?