Permits and Regulations
NPDES Phase II Stormwater Permit
Spokane County was issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Permit in February 2007. The Permit was issued by the Department of Ecology (DOE) and is the result of an Environmental Protection Agency program by the same name, which considers stormwater a “point source” of water pollution.
NPDES - Pollution Prevention Ordinance
On July 21, 2009 the Spokane County Board of of County Commissioners approved amendments to Spokane County Code, Chapter 9.14, Roads, Approach and Drainage in New Construction, to meet the state mandated pollution prevention requirements of the Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (NPDES Permit). This ordinance is designed to prevent water pollution and protect water quality within our rivers, lakes, streams, and aquifer. View Spokane County Code, Title 9, Chapter 9.14.
Stormwater Management Program
Over the next five years Spokane County is required to accomplish tasks associated with six minimum control measures: education and outreach; public involvement and participation; illicit discharge detection and elimination; construction site runoff and post construction management; and municipal good housekeeping. To learn more about the Permit and minimum control measures visit: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/index.cfm.
In accordance with the NPDES Phase 2 Stormwater Permit, the Eastern Washington Municipal Stormwater Permit, the 2008 Annual Report has been completed and submitted to the Washington State Department of Ecology (March 31, 2009). The annual report includes a draft copy of the Spokane County Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). The SWMP is currently a public working document until formal adoption procedures are completed prior to the end of the five year permit cycle in 2012.
2009 Annual Report - Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater General Permit (WAR04-6506)
The link below will take you to the Spokane County Draft Stormwater Management Program. This document is available for public review and comment. Contact Russ Connole, Project Manager, with your comments. Phone 477-7245 or email rconnole@spokanecounty.org.
Spokane County Stormwater Management Program 2009 Draft
Construction NPDES Permit
Who Needs Construction Stormwater Permit Coverage?
Please answer the following questions:
- Does your construction project disturb one or more acres of land through clearing, grading, excavating, or stockpiling of fill material? Remember to count the cumulative acreage of the entire project whether in a single or in a multiphase project. This applies even if you are responsible for only a small portion [less than one acre] of the larger project planned over time.
- Is there any possibility that stormwater could run off your site during construction and into surface waters or conveyance systems leading to surface waters of the state? In almost every case, the answer to this question is yes.
However, if the topography and location of your site is such that there is no possibility that rainfall or snowmelt could leave the site or enter a waterway, it is likely that you will not need permit coverage. If you answered "yes" to both of these questions, contact the Dept. of Ecology to determine if you will need a permit. Construction site operators must apply for a permit 60 days prior to discharging stormwater.
For more information visit: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/construction/.
If a Construction General Permit is required by The Dept. of Ecology, you will need a Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) to monitor stormwater controls on your construction site. To access the CESCL training calendar, click here: CESCL Calendar
Underground Injection Control (UIC)
Underground Injection Control are also known as “dry wells”.
The Underground Injection Control program was created by Congress to protect underground sources of drinking water from discharges of fluids to the ground. The UIC program in the state of Washington is administered by the Department of Ecology. In Washington State all ground water is protected equally under RCW 90.48 and Chapter 173-200 WAC Water Quality Standards for Ground Waters of the State of Washington.
The two basic requirements of the UIC Program are:
- Register UIC wells with the Washington State Department of Ecology unless the wells are located on tribal land. Well on tribal land should be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Make sure that current and future underground sources of ground water are not endangered by pollutants in the discharge non-endangerment standard.
Since stormwater picks up contaminants as it runs over the land surface, it can pollute ground water once infiltration occurs. Pollution of ground water from stormwater discharges can be prevented by careful design of the UIC well, strategic siting and effective operation and maintenance. Pollution can also be prevented by use of treatment before discharge to the sub-surface and by reducing the stormwater contact with potential sources of contamination.
UIC wells must be registered. For more information visit: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/grndwtr/uic/index.html.