Title
Annual Stormwater Management Program Plan Review
Recommended Action
Briefing Only
Report
Issue:
Receive a briefing on the Municipal Stormwater Permit Draft 2026 Stormwater Management Program Plan.
Staff Contact:
Susan McCleary, Stormwater Associate Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.570.3794
Presenters:
Susan McCleary, Associate Planner
Kym Foley, Senior Planner
Background and Analysis:
The City’s stormwater management program operates under the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (Permit), issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). The Permit requires annual updates to the Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP Plan). Within the current Permit cycle (2024-2029) the City must either complete a new or revise our existing Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP) for a prioritized basin.
Key Updates to the Draft 2026 SWMP Plan include:
• Enhanced public participation opportunities, particularly overburdened and highly impacted communities.
• Integration of community feedback into the SMAP and SWMP Plan through Engage Olympia site survey.
• Strengthen collaboration with community groups and partners to increase accessibility and inclusion.
Staff seek Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) feedback on:
• The revised public involvement approach,
• Effectiveness of outreach methods, and
• Recommendations for future improvement
The 2024-2029 Permit emphasizes creating opportunities for the general public, overburdened communities and highly impacted communities to participate in decision-making processes. This includes the development, implementation and updating of the City’s SWMP Plan and SMAP.
Staff have made significant revisions to the Draft 2026 SWMP Plan development process to increase public involvement and accessibility. Staff are eager to receive feedback on this approach and suggestions to further improve engagement.
During this briefing staff will provide an overview of the draft 2026 SWMP Plan (including SMAP) the Equity Index, and new efforts to engage the community in decision-making. The draft 2026 SWMP and engagement materials are included as an attachment to the staff report.
Climate Analysis:
Climate is considered in Permit required programs in the following ways:
• Green Infrastructure: Staff are exploring ways to promote green infrastructure development in Olympia. In 2026, we will continue to collaborate with regional partners to further this effort. Green infrastructure provides multiple climate resilience co-benefits such as urban heat island reduction, flood and drought risk mitigation, and increased biodiversity and cleaner water.
• Habitat and Property Actions: Existing Stormwater Action Plan (SMAP) actions include property acquisition and habitat restoration that promote native vegetation, tree planting and preserving aquatic habitat. Such actions bring multiple co-benefits for watershed protection, climate adaptation and mitigation. Future SMAPs will continue to incorporate these strategies and actions.
• Education and Emission Reduction: The “Stormwater Week” curriculum for 6th grade students provides hands-on learning experience directly to secondary schools, eliminating the need for child transportation enhancing safety, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
Equity is a growing consideration in Permit required programs and is being advanced through several initiatives:
• Conducting focus group sessions to engage members of the Latinx community to better understand their stormwater-related concerns and potential solutions.
• Translation of outreach materials into Spanish.
• Providing Financial Support for the Puget Sound Starts Here digital media campaign, which includes content on car care in English, Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese languages.
• Implementation of the 2025-2027 Equity Action Plan for the Regional Environmental Education Program.
• Using the Stormwater Utility Equity Index and other mapping tools to identify overburdened communities, analyze stormwater infrastructure (treatment facilities, outfalls, discharge points), and assess tree canopy coverage in these areas.
• Documenting and reporting investments within the Stormwater Management for Existing Development program that may provide Tribal benefits, and benefits to overburdened communities and highly impacted communities. Reporting on such benefits requires the Utility to consider Tribal and overburden communities when making investment decisions.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Protecting local waterways and aquatic habitat for people and wildlife remains 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 stormwater pollution, protect and improve water quality
• Restore aquatic habitats
• Meet regulatory requirements
• Be responsive to community input
• Lead by example
• Build community trust and support
• Serve rate payers in an efficient, effective and transparent manner
• Anticipate and respond to future challenges and regulatory requirements
• Meet City’s Comprehensive Plan utility, climate and equity goals
Financial Impact:
Work performed to implement the Stormwater Management Program Plan is funded primarily from storm and surface water utility rates, supplemented by grant funding for specific projects. The SWMP Plan is integrated into the broader work of the organization.
Attachments:
• 2023 SMAP Report
• 2026 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP Plan)
• Join the Stormwater Conversation Website Link to Engage Olympia
• Engagement materials