STORMWATER UTILITY PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

Policies, Plans and Regulations

City Policies, Plans & Regulations

Lacey Municipal Code 

Lacey Municipal Code (LMC) was adopted in 1971 (Ordinance 219) as the official code of the ordinances of the city of Lacey, as provided for by RCW 35.21.500 - 35.21.570.  The LMC contains sixteen titles.  Those most directly related to stormwater include Title 13, Water and Sewage;   Title 14, Buildings and Construction;  Title 15, Land Division;  and Title 16, Zoning. 

 

The number of each section of the code consists of three parts, in sequence as follows: 

Number of title; number of chapter within the title; and number of section within the chapter.  For example, Environmentally Sensitive Areas are discussed in Section 14.24.180, which is in Title 14 (Buildings and Construction), Chapter 24 (Environmental Policy), Section 18.

 

Stormwater Comprehensive Plan

The Stormwater Comprehensive Plan focuses on three main areas:  (1) a Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which identifies flooding and runoff water quality issues, and proposes solutions;  (2)  actions the City has taken, and must continue to take in coming years, to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and local regulatory mandates and requirements, especially the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Western Washington Phase II  Municipal Stormwater Permit (Phase II Permit);   and  (3) a financial plan for the City of Lacey Stormwater Utility that addresses the CIP, the Phase II Permit, and all of the stormwater–related activities and programs conducted by City of Lacey staff.

 

City of Lacey Stormwater Design Manual

The City of Lacey implements a variety of programs, activities and regulations related to controlling runoff from new development, redevelopment and construction sites, as required under the Phase II Permit. Lacey’s Stormwater Design Manual (SDM) contains minimum requirements and design criteria for stormwater collection, conveyance, water quality treatment, and flow control (storage, infiltration, and discharge) that are consistent with Ecology’s Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington. In addition, the SDM describes the submittal requirements for approval of stormwater drainage plans and reports.

State Regulations

Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit

Urban areas that collect and discharge stormwater runoff in municipal storm sewer systems are required to have a permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program of the federal Clean Water Act.  The overall intent of the permits is to reduce water pollution caused by stormwater runoff.  

The Department of Ecology develops and administers the NPDES municipal stormwater permits in Washington State.  The permits authorize the discharge of stormwater to surface waters and to groundwaters of the state from storm systems owned or operated by the permittee jurisdictions.

 

The permits were established in two phases:  Phase I and Phase II.  Phase I permits apply to the most-populated cities and counties in Washington, while the Phase II permit covers small and medium-sized jurisdictions.  The City of Lacey is a Phase II permittee, along with the Cities of Olympia and Tumwater, and the urbanized northern portion of Thurston County.

 

Ecology first issued the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit in early 2007.  This initial five-year permit was set to expire in 2012, but was extended under legislative direction to be effective through July 31, 2013.  On August 1, 2013, an updated 2013-2018 Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit goes into effect for 80 cities and portions of five counties in western Washington, including the City of Lacey.  The updated permit has tighter restrictions on development, and more stringent requirements for cities and counties to address.  Most of the permit requirements have specific deadlines for compliance during the permit term.

  

Overview of Key Requirements 

 

Thanks to the efforts of many people, including the active participation of Lacey residents, we are working together to reduce stormwater pollution.  Lacey has complied with the NPDES permit requirements since the permit’s inception in 2007, and we intend to continue complying with the reissued permit for 2013-2018.  Successful compliance with the NPDES permit ultimately means cleaner water for us all. 

To learn how Lacey’s overall Stormwater Management Program is meeting the permit requirements, please review the City of Lacey’s Current Stormwater Management Program

For more information on the NPDES municipal stormwater permits, visit the Washington Department of Ecology’s website.