Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance Regulations Handbook

Transcription

1 Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance Regulations Handbook

2 2 Highland Lakes Watershed Frequently Asked Questions What is stormwater pollution? Stormwater pollution comes from diffuse, not concentrated, sources. It comes from the land, air and water and includes both naturally occurring and manmade pollutants. Pollutants usually enter our waterways during rainfalls. Rainfall runoff can carry soil, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, animal feces, trash and other residues. This deluge of dirt, trash and contaminants does more to damage our water quality than all the sewage and industrial plants in the nation! In response to the impact of stormwater pollution, LCRA implemented the Highland Lake Watershed Ordinance to protect water quality throughout the Highland Lakes region. Where does LCRA get the authority to implement regulations around the Highland Lakes? This Ordinance is promulgated under the authority of the LCRA Enabling Act, specifically Texas Water Code Section (a), (d), (e), (q) and other applicable law. How many Watershed Ordinances does LCRA implement? LCRA implements one Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance, which became effective on Feb. 1, The Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance supersedes the Lake Travis and Upper Highland Lakes Ordinance Where does the Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance apply? The Ordinance applies to development in the Lake Travis watershed in Travis County, the Colorado River watershed in Burnet County, and a portion of Llano County identified on the official Ordinance Watershed Map, adopted as part of the Ordinance. See Ordinance Watershed Map on the last page. Is there anytime the Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance DOES NOT apply? Yes. If the development falls within the corporate city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of a community that has an interlocal agreement with LCRA to implement its own water quality regulations, then the developer must coordinate with that community. See the LCRA Web site for a list of cities and counties with inter-local agreements.

3 Ordinance Regulations Handbook 3 Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance Highlights Permit required: All development not otherwise exempted. Development (single family, subdivisions, multi-family, and commercial) that adds more than 10,000 square feet of impervious cover or disturbs more than 1 acre of land. Mine or Quarry projects that create more than 10,000 square feet of impervious cover or disturb more than five acres of land. Utility line construction and maintenance. Requires Written Notification to LCRA, No Permit required (use of temporary erosion controls during construction are required): Development projects with less than 10,000 square feet of new impervious cover and disturbs less than 1 acre. Mine or Quarry that creates less than 10,000 square feet of impervious cover and disturbs less than five acres of land. The construction of a single-family home or associated structure that adds more than 10,000 square feet of impervious cover and complies with downstream buffer requirements. Projects that were platted before March 19, 1992, in the Llano and Burnet Counties Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance area. Projects that were platted before February 1, 1990, in the Travis County portion of the Highland Lake Watershed Ordinance area. Does not require a Permit or Notification: Agricultural activities. Development falling in a jurisdiction that has entered into an interlocal agreement with LCRA to administer and enforce its own water quality program. Dredge and fill projects for shoreline stabilization (LCRA does require all dredge and fill work to meet LCRA s Dredge and Fill Standards)-contact Watershed Management to obtain copy of standards or see LCRA website, Mine or Quarry exploration and active Mine or Quarry as of March 1, 2007.

4 4 Highland Lakes Watershed Note: Exemption from LCRA s Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance DOES NOT exempt the project from federal/state NPDES/TPDES stormwater regulations and permitting. Performance standards for proposed development: Pre development planning must occur on all single family subdivisions greater than 20 acres and commerical projects greater than 3 acres in area prior to the permit application. Water quality and creek erosion protection providing stormwater runoff volume in approved water quality management facilities (vegetative and water quality basins). Focus on tributaries as well as lakes. Creek buffer zones that remain free of development. Temporary erosion and sediment controls during construction period to minimize sediment migration from the site. Water quality education programs provided by LCRA to subdivision residents and commercial operators to promote low chemical use landscapes and good housekeeping practices. Alternate Standards Summary Fast Track Permit: Commercial projects three acres in area and less that utilize vegetative filter strips per the design criteria in the Technical Manual. Compliance with this standard exempts a commercial project from having to construct water quality basins. Developments with total impervious cover less than 15% and individual development areas with impervious cover less than 20% provided that: --Streets and roads use ribbon curb with overland flow and grass channels to convey runoff --Sheet flow is maximized Permit fees are reduced and can be issued within 30 days of receipt of a completed application. Mine or Quarry Performance Standards: Pre Mine or Quarry planning for all projects seeking a certification or permit. Surface water quality protection Groundwater quality protection. Temporary erosion and sediment controls during distubance period to minimize sediment migration from site. Creek buffer zones that remain free of disturbance. Record keeping and reporting.

5 Ordinance Regulations Handbook 5 Highlights of stormwater design procedures found in Technical Manual: Designer no longer needs to compute pollutant loads for suspended sediment, total phosphorus, oil, and grease. New methodology determines water quality storage volume and vegetative practices area using approved water quality management facilities that satisfy the pollutant management goals. Design methodology is based upon runoff volume from the 1-year storm. Design requirements are based upon the amount of impervious cover created by the development. Stormwater credits (innovative site planning techniques) are available to reduce the effective impervious cover to assist a development in gaining compliance with the Alternate Standards or reducing the permanent water quality management facility size and cost. Credits include porous pavement, rainwater harvesting, soil amendment and conservation landscaping, natural area preservation, and roof top disconnection. Buffer zones are applied to creeks with drainage areas greater than five acres for development projects. Construction phase erosion and sedimentation control design criteria is included and provides measures to minimize erosion and promote rapid revegetation of disturbed areas. Water quality education can be provided by LCRA.

6 6 Highland Lakes Watershed LCRA Highlands Lakes Watershed Ordinance Technical Manual Fifth Edition May 2007 LCRA created the Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance Technical Manual to provide property owners/developers, Mine or Quarry operators and other interested persons with guidance on LCRA permit requirements, review procedures, and acceptable practices for meeting water quality and channel erosion protection standards in a cost effective manner. The Technical Manual provides information on water quality management facilities for stormwater management (water quality and creek erosion management). Property owners/developers and Mine or Quarry operators may propose other stormwater management approaches, provided adequate technical information is available to demonstrate that alternative approaches will meet the required performance standards. The Technical Manual is structured in the following manner to facilitate the selection of the most appropriate and cost effective water quality management facilities. Intoduction Forward Section I Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Section II Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Development Activity Permitting Procedures and Requirements Water Quality Management Temporary Sediment and Erosion Controls Permanent Best Management Practices (Water Quality Treatment) Permanent Best Management Practice Maintenance Requirements Dredge and Fill Standards Mine and Quarry Activity Permitting Procedures and Requirements Water Quality Management Glossary Bibliography Appendix Tom Hegemier, Manager Watershed Management , Ext. 4088

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