Title
Annual Stormwater Management Program Plan Review
Recommended Action
Briefing Only
Report
Issue:
Briefing on the Municipal Stormwater Permit Draft 2025 Management Program Plan.
Staff Contact:
Susan McCleary, Stormwater Associate Planner, 360.570.3794
Presenter:
Susan McCleary
Background and Analysis:
The City’s stormwater management program is regulated under the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (Permit), administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). The Permit is authorized by the 1972 federal Clean Water Act and the Washington Water Pollution Control Act (RCW 90.48) with authority delegated to Ecology. The permit requires local jurisdictions that operate a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) to develop and implement a broad array of stormwater management activities designed to protect downstream waters. Every five years the permit is reissued, often with new and updated requirements. The 2024-2029 Permit became effective on August 1, 2024, with several new requirements spread over the next five years.
Staff will provide the UAC with a brief overview of new permit requirements and the Draft 2025 Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP Plan). A list of new Permit requirements and deadlines are included in the attachment to the staff report.
Climate Analysis:
This analysis covers a few examples of how climate is considered in Permit required programs.
• Stormwater Week curriculum for 6th grade students brings a hands-on learning experience directly to secondary schools, eliminating the need to bus children around town. This approach enhances safety and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• Stream Team Newsletter articles promote alternative modes of transportation to reduce vehicle miles travelled. Articles highlight the importance of reducing tire wear particles and GHG emissions.
• Stream Team Articles and social media posts promote native vegetation and tree planting and the reduction of fertilizer use. This information highlights the multiple co-benefits for watershed protection and climate adaptation and climate mitigation.
Equity Analysis:
This analysis only covers a few examples of how equity is considered in Permit required programs.
• Partnership with CIELO to co-create programs and events benefitting the Latinx community in Thurston County.
• Translation of educational materials in Spanish.
• Support for Puget Sound Starts Here Month Don’t Wait to Inflate digital media campaign in English, Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese.
• Development of 2025-2027 Equity Action Plan for Regional Environmental Education Program.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Protecting local waterways and aquatic habitat for people and wildlife is important to the Olympia community. City programs developed under the guidance of the Permit and Olympia’s Drainage Design and Erosion control Manual (DDECM) are designed to:
• Prevent water pollution
• Restore aquatic habitat
• Meet regulatory requirements
• Be responsive to community input
• Lead by example
• Build community trust and support
• Serve rate payers in an efficient and effective manner
• Meet climate and equity goals
Financial Impact:
Work performed to implement the Stormwater Management Program Plan is funded primarily from stormwater rates and fees, as well as integrated into the larger work of the organization.
Attachments:
• 2025 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP Plan)
• 2024-2029 NPDES Permit - New Requirements & Deadlines