1. Water Quality Protection Zones
Kathryn L. Walker
City of Norman
City Attorney’s Office

2. Storm Water Master Plan
Began in 2007 after citizen-led development of a scope of work and RFP process
Identified Goals
Reduce flooding dangers
Protect water quality
Enhance the environment
Advance recreational opportunities (studied separately through the Greenway Master Plan)

3. Storm Water Master Plan – Methodology
Analyzed 36 watersheds – problem areas received more detailed study
Hydrologic analyses performed for 307 square miles of drainage area
Hydraulic analyses and floodplain mapping developed for almost 400 stream miles (59 miles of detailed stream analysis and 333 miles of approximate stream analysis)

4. Storm Water Master Plan – Key Points
Focus on stream flooding, stream erosion, water quality and local drainage
Although existing conditions were reviewed, the identification and evaluation of flooding along major streams focused on future build-out watershed conditions (Norman 2025 land use plan)

5. Storm Water Master Plan Water Quality - Key Issues
Utilizing structural and non-structural water quality controls in new developments including low impact development techniques
Providing enhanced maintenance of creeks and storm water detention facilities in existing and new developments
Incorporating regulatory floodplain or “Stream Planning Corridors” dedications in new developments
Area inundated by the 100 year flood assuming full build-out conditions in those areas with 40 or more acres of drainage area

7. Sources of Information
Publications and Model Ordinances
EPA Model Ordinance to Protect Local Resources
Protecting Stream & River Corridors, UGA
Buffer Protection & Management Ordinance, Baltimore, MD
Vegetated Riparian Buffers & Buffer Ordinance, State of South Carolina
Ordinances in Other Cities
Lenexa, KS
San Antonio, TX
Austin, TX
Overland Park, KS
Kansas City, MO
Tulsa, OK (regulatory floodplain)

8. WQPZ – Process for Adoption
Public Meeting to review regional approaches and how they would apply in Norman – Dec. 2009
Internal drafting – 1 year
Meetings of SW Task Force – 5 + months
Planning Commission recommendation – June 2011
City Council adoption – June 2011

9. WQPZ Regulations - Structure
Part of Norman’s subdivision regulations
Limited to new applications for Preliminary Plats and Norman Rural Certificates of Survey for developments in the Lake Thunderbird watershed
A WQPZ would be designated along each stream to serve as a natural vegetative buffer on new or expired (and not grandfathered in ) plats and certificates of survey

10. What is a WQPZ?
A vegetated strip of land that lies along a Stream or Lake Thunderbird and its adjacent wetlands, floodplains or slopes that is comprised of the stream bed and areas adjacent to the stream bed

11. WQPZ – How big is it? Base width – the greater of
100 feet in width, measured from top of bank, on each side of the stream; or
Designated full build-out floodplain; or
Designated FEMA floodplain

15. WQPZ Base Width – When it Decreases
Water quality targets must be met thru approved engineered process (using Wichita/Sedgwick County Stormwater Manual)
Phosphorus – 58% removal
Nitrogen – 75% removal
Must document protection against flooding and bank erosion anticipated from the 1% flood assuming full-buildout in those areas with 40 or more acres of drainage area
Base width reduced to 25 feet

16. WQPZ Base Width – When It Increases
Slope of a 25 feet segment is over 20% (increase by 25 feet)
Stream is a 2nd order stream with continuous water (increase by 25 feet)
Stream is 3rd order and higher (increase by 25 feet)

17. Significance of WQPZ Designated on plat
No structures or septic systems in the zone except structural controls or other enhancing design features
Protective covenants required to limit activity in the WQPZ in perpetuity

18. Other Features
Allows for modification of Norman’s current Engineering Design Criteria to accommodate Low Impact Development strategies
Drainage easement required to be granted to City for area flooded in a 1% rainfall event
Buffer averaging allowed to accommodate unusual development patterns, shallow lots, stream crossings or storm water ponds

19. Questions?