Transcript Proposed Stormwater Regulations Public Forum

Proposed Stormwater
Regulations
Public Forum
Richland County Government
September 2009
Ordinance Changes
Stormwater Regulations & Yard Debris
87 pages of Stormwater regulations
2 Pages of Yard Debris
Concern over 2 elements
Buffers
Leaf bagging
Bagging Leaves
ONLY IF you want your leaves picked up-
Leaves must be bagged
Raking Leaves is NOT required
Bagging Leaves is NOT required
Bagging Leaves
You CANNOT rake leaves into the street
Leaves clog storm drains and cause flooding
Bagging Leaves
IF you want leaves picked up,
Put leaves in bags or containers
IF you put leaves at the curb
Put leaves in bags or containers
Bagging Leaves
Options for leaves and yard debris:
Biodegradable Bags
(30-50 gallon)
Garbage cans (30 gallons)
marked “Yard Waste”
Stormwater Buffers
Benefits
Importance
Incentives
Proposed Regulations
Stormwater Buffers
Benefits
Slows rainwater
Reduces erosion
Allows water to soak into the ground
Recharges groundwater
Reduces flooding
Reduces pollution (nitrogen, sediment and silt)
Vegetated buffers provide shade
Provide wildlife habitat & food sources
Stormwater Buffers
Reduces Silt and Erosion
Cary Lake
Lake Catherine
Stormwater Buffers
Optimum benefits begin when buffers are 100 ft.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Model Ordinance to Protect Natural Resources – 100 ft
The Center for Watershed Protection
Minimum Buffer Width – 100 ft.
SC Dept of Health and Environmental Control
Vegetated Riparian Buffers and Buffer Ordinances (DHEC website) –
100 ft
Stormwater Buffers
Other Communities
Chatham County, NC
Perennial Streams – 100 feet
Intermittent Streams – 50 feet
Wetlands – 50 feet
Charlotte, NC
Based on the size of the drainage basin
>100 acres=35 feet
>300 acres= 50 feet
>640 acres= 100 feet plus
Stormwater Buffers
Importance
Richland waterways and waterbodies are sick
and need help
•
•
•
Waters are polluted
Lakes are filled with silt
Stream banks are eroding
Buffers improve water quality
Stormwater Buffers
Incentives
For Developers
The Green Code provides density bonuses for
protecting buffers
For Land Owners
Federal income tax deductions and state credits for
conservation easements
Stream and wetland mitigation provides cash
Technical assistance available for creating conservation
easements
Stormwater Buffers
Proposed Regulations
New water quality buffers for all Richland County waterways
Proposed buffers for new construction and redevelopment
Existing homeowners are NOT impacted
Stormwater Buffers
Proposed Regulations
Perennial streams
Staff Recommendation - 100 ft
County Council Recommendation – 85ft
Intermittent streams
Staff Recommendation – 50 ft
County Council Recommendation – 40ft
Stormwater Buffers
Proposed Regulations
Shoreline buffers
Staff Recommendation - 50 ft
County Council Recommendation – 40ft
Wetland buffers
Staff Recommendation – 50 ft
County Council Recommendation – 40ft
Stormwater Buffers
Proposed Regulations
Impeding the flow of water is not permitted in floodways
Maintenance responsibility and enforcement outlined
New language for NPDES components
Pesticide, Herbicide and Fertilizer (PHF) regulations
Illicit Discharge and Disposal Programs
Post-Construction Maintenance etc.
Stormwater Buffers
New Revisions
Waiver process
Single-family lots less than 1 acre
Subdivisions approved, but not built
Landscaping options are permitted
Native species encouraged
Plants filtering pollutants
Stormwater Buffers
Endorsed By
SCDHEC
Center for Watershed Protection
Friends of Congaree Swamp
Gills Creek Watershed Association
Richland County Conservation Commission
Richland County Neighborhood Council
Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District
Carolina Clear (Clemson Extension)
Lexington County
Stormwater Buffers
Flexible Options
Buffer Averaging Option
Waiver Process
Single-family less than
One acre
Stormwater Buffers
NO – Buffers are
not required
Ponds and lakes not
connected to
streams are
EXEMPT
Stormwater Buffers
Yes - Buffers are required.
Activities not allowed
Clearing or clear cutting of
vegetation,
Soil disturbance
(construction or other
practices)
Filling or dumping
Use, storage, or application
of chemicals
Bagging Leaves &
Stormwater Buffers
Questions?