1. Tackling Stormwater Runoff in Puget Sound
Where the Feds Fit In
Tackling Stormwater Runoff in Puget Sound
Dan Opalski
EPA Region 10
Director - Office of Water and Watersheds

2. Technical Assistance Provider
Federal Roles
Regulator
Funder
Technical Assistance Provider
Owner/Operator
Land Manager
Partner
Trustee

3. EPA’s Role in Addressing Stormwater
Adopt regulations to set national minimum standards for stormwater sources under the NPDES program
Provide oversight of State NPDES stormwater permit programs
Issue stormwater permits for sources not covered by State programs
Inspect permitted sources, enforcement if necessary
Provide grant funds
Issue national guidance and study reports
Collaborate with States, Locals, Tribes, and others on stormwater research and stormwater programs

4. Stormwater Regulated under The CWA
Industrial
Construction
Activity
MS4s

5. Stormwater NPDES Permit Rules
Phase I – 1990
Medium and large municipalities (over 100,000)
Industrial activity (11 categories, including construction over 5 acres)
Phase II – 1999
Smaller municipalities in “urbanized areas”
Construction sites (1-5 acres)

6. EPA Role in Puget Sound Review/oversight of Ecology stormwater permits
Inclusion of stormwater in TMDLs
Administer national industrial & construction stormwater permit for federal facilities
Issue MS4 permits for federal facilities and MS4 discharges into tribal waters
Dept. of Defense Facilities (e.g. JBLM, Navy, Puyallup and Tulalip Tribal waters)
Puget Sound National Estuary Program
Puget Sound Partnership and Action Agenda
Funding for research and program implementation
Federal Task Force

7. Stormwater Strategic Initiative
One of three strategic initiatives to protect and recover Puget Sound
EPA funding (~$4 million/yr)
Watershed approach
Strategic investments to measure progress & align with salmon/orca recovery

8. New Development/Redevelopment Requirements
Significant Progress
New Development/Redevelopment Requirements
Retention/Detension

9. Significant Challenge Runoff from Existing Developed Areas
Puget Sound streams with poor biological conditions
Contaminated Estuaries (PAH/PCBs) and Decreased Chinook Survival
Coho Pre-spawning mortality