Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Grant Agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology for Stormwater Permit Compliance
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) for stormwater permit compliance.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing a grant agreement with the Washington State DOE for stormwater permit compliance.
Staff Contact:
Sue Barclift, Stormwater Program Coordinator, Public Works-Water Resources, 360.507.6112
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The Washington State DOE administers federal Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) municipal stormwater permits in Washington State. The intent of the permit is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. NPDES permits require municipalities to manage stormwater runoff before it discharges to surface and groundwater.
The Capacity Grant is a non-competitive biannual grant awarded to all Phase I and Phase II (NPDES) municipal permittees for activities and equipment necessary for permit implementation. The City of Olympia is a Phase II NPDES permittee.
Olympia is currently in compliance with its NPDES permit. However, with each permit cycle revision, stormwater requirements increase resulting in expanding current programs and adding new programs. Past Capacity Grant financial assistance has helped the City continuously remain in compliance with the permit.
Ecology set funding for the 2025-2027 Capacity Grant at $120,000. The Storm and Surface Water Utility will use the grant consistent with the following eligible project expenses:
• Public education and outreach activities
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination program activities
• Runoff control program activities
• Operation and maintenance pollution prevention program activities
• Equipment purchases needed to implement a permit requirement
Climate Analysis:
The 2025-2027 Capacity Grant aids municipalities in meeting NPDES permit requirements. This grant will allow the City to meet and exceed requirements. Expanding current Storm and Surface Water Utility programs and implementing additional programs has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through planting native vegetation and trees and protecting and enhancing habitat.
Equity Analysis:
The 2025-2027 Capacity Grant benefits all Storm and Surface Water Utility rate payers by allowing the Utility to meet NPDES permit requirements and leverage its limited resources to expand and enhance current and new water quality stormwater programs. The NPDES permit also includes requirements for targeting public education and outreach, with specific emphasis on engaging overburdened populations.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Community members benefit from this grant through NPDES compliance that addresses erosion control, safeguards recreational water uses, and protects aquatic habitat and drinking water by minimizing the amount of contaminants that enter surface waters.
Financial Impact:
The grant will provide $120,000 to the Storm and Surface Water Utility over a period of two years for NPDES permit compliance. This grant is a key funding source for stormwater compliance and supplements existing Utility funds for these programs. Since this is a non-competitive grant, no specific grant matching funds are required.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a grant for stormwater permit compliance. This will provide financial support for the Storm and Surface Water Utility to remain in compliance with the City’s NPDES permit and to expand and enhance current and create new water quality stormwater programs.
2. Do not approve the Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant for stormwater permit compliance. The Storm and Surface Water Utility will not receive the 2025-2027 Capacity Grant. Instead, an alternative source of funding may be needed to fund necessary programs required by the City’s NPDES permit to off set the loss of the grant.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Resolution
Grant Agreement