New Stormwater Regulations

“C.3” Provisions in effect Feb. 15, 2005

Protecting Water Quality

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Why managing stormwater is important.

What we are doing now.

How new development affects water quality.

How the new regulations will be implemented.

What is a watershed?

Managing Stormwater Runoff

 Preventing Stormwater Pollution  Toxic pollutants like mercury and PCBs  Sediment, oil and grease  Household pesticides and detergents

Managing Stormwater Runoff

 Preventing Stormwater Pollution  Toxic pollutants like mercury and PCBs  Sediment, oil and grease  Household pesticides and detergents  Quantity and timing of runoff  Paved, impervious roofs, parking, and streets  Increased volume of flow and peak flow rate.

Who is involved?

 Stormwater management activities are coordinated throughout City departments.

 City participates in and cooperates with the Contra Costa Clean Water Program.

 CCCWP includes 18 other Contra Costa cities and towns, Contra Costa County, and the Flood Control District .

 Oversight by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (SF Bay Region).

What the City is Doing Now

 Complies with storm water discharge permit.

 Inspects businesses.

 Minimizes pollutants from City activities.

 Contributes to monitoring & pollution prevention studies.

 Conducts outreach and education.

Municipal Stormwater NPDES Permit History



1994:

First countywide permit issued. Focus on public outreach and education.

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1999:

Permit revised, added performance standards for implementation 

February 2002:

Revised Permit Provision C.3. (New and Redevelopment Requirements)

Effects of New Development

Runoff Before Development

Runoff After Development

Effects of increased runoff

 Increased flows and more frequent flooding leads to…  Increased streambank erosion, which leads to…  “Hardening” to prevent erosion, which leads to…

Loss of Stream Functions

Solutions

 Design areas that allow runoff to infiltrate into soil.

 Use pervious paving.

 Integrate shallow detention basins into landscaping.

 Use narrower streets; minimize impervious surface area.

Solutions

Vegetated (“Dry”) Swale

New Regulations for Development and Redevelopment  Provision C.3. Requirements:  Projects (public & private) must detain or treat runoff on site.

 Projects with 1 acre or more impervious surface approved after February 15, 2005  Projects with 10,000 square feet or more impervious surface approved after Oct. 2006  Mandated design criteria for volume and flow

Cities, towns & County must:  Estimate and control future increases in peak runoff  Verify that on-site treatment devices are maintained  Update conditions of approval, design standards, General Plans, & environmental review processes

Contra Costa’s Approach

Planning & Permitting Work Group Clean Water Program (Cities, Towns, County, CCFCWCD) Management Committee C.3 Oversight Committee Technical Work Group Legal Work Group C.I.P.

Work Group

Preparations for C.3

 Update to Model Stormwater Ordinance 

Stormwater C.3 Guidebook

 Require a Stormwater Control Plan for planning and zoning review  Show how drainage from site will be routed through treatment facilities  Memos on technical and policy issues  Workshops for staff and applicants

C.3 & Development Review

Pre-Application Meeting Completed Application “Deemed Complete” Planning Commission Detailed Design Conditions of Approval Plan Check Section Review CEQA Review Permits to Build

Stormwater C.3 Compliance

Pre-Application Meeting Staff identifies general C.3 requirements Planning Commission Completed Application Does applicant’s Stormwater Control Plan address all req’ts?

Conditions of Approval Stormwater Control Plan is attached to COAs “Deemed Complete” Section Review Section staff may review Stormwater Control Plan along with site, grading, landscaping and other plans CEQA Review Detailed Design Plan Check Permits to Build drawings & specs

Operation & Maintenance

General description of O&M requirements

Stormwater Control Plan

Submitted with Planning & Zoning Application Detailed description and maintenance plan for each facility

Stormwater Facilities Operation & Maintenance Plan

Draft submitted with construction documents Certification of inspection & continued operation

Stormwater Facilities Compliance Certificate

Renewed each year

Stormwater Control Plan Contents  Project Setting  Measures to Limit Imperviousness  Selection & Design of Treatment BMPs  Source Control Measures  Permitting and Code Compliance  BMP Maintenance  Construction Plan C.3 Checklist  Certification

More Information

 Quick Summary 

Stormwater Quality Control for Development Projects

(2-page fact sheet)  Summary of Project Review Process 

Stormwater C.3 Regulations Fact Sheet

(4 pages; includes checklist) 

Stormwater C.3 Guidebook

 Overview and step-by-step instructions for preparing a Stormwater Control Plan  Guidebook Appendices and References  With hyperlinks to design and technical resources