Jo Ann Macrina, PE, Deputy Director Watershed Protection Division DeKalb County Dept. of Watershed Management and Aylin Lewallen and Jeff Herr, PE

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1 Jo Ann Macrina, PE, Deputy Director Watershed Protection Division DeKalb County Dept. of Watershed Management and Aylin Lewallen and Jeff Herr, PE Brown and Caldwell

2 Presentation Overview Regulatory context DeKalb organization Watershed framework Stormwater management plan Watershed improvement and management plans Monitoring network 5-year CIP

3 Clean Water Act 1972 Clean Water Act Delegated to each state, in turn delegated to local governments. Limited flexibility for activities to address goals of stormwater programs/permits. Interpretation of permits/programs differ by state Leads to uncertainty and inflexibility. Prescribed activities applied equally can lead to simplified checklists, not cleaner water.

4 Shift in Focus Focus on point sources present Focus on nonpoint sources 303(d) listed streams and TMDL implementation Few results after 20+ years

5 GA Environmental Protection Division (EPD) EPD is responsible for enforcing stormwater-related regulations. DeKalb County complies with Non-Point Source programs and permits: NPDES MS4 TMDL Implementation Program Watershed Protection Program (WPP) Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (District) Watershed Management Plan (WMP) Watershed Improvement Plans (WIPs)

6 Multiple Permits & Programs Shared Elements

7 DeKalb County History Past Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Roads &Drainage - all stormwater responsibilities Now Department of Public Works Roads &Drainage - stormwater infrastructure O&M Department of Watershed Management (DWM) Water & Sewer Stormwater compliance, planning, restoration New Watershed Protection Division in DWM

8 Watershed Protection Division Role & Responsibilities Water & Sewer Regulatory Compliance Stormwater Regulatory Compliance Floodplain, Stormwater, Watershed Protection Planning Watershed Improvement & Restoration Broad range of activities - Stormwater compliance, planning, restoration Floodplain modeling & remapping MS4 inspections Fats, Oils, & Greases Permit Program Water Reuse and conservation BMP design & construction Stream restoration Sanitary Sewer Overflow tracking, reporting, reduction Wildlife management (deer hunts)

9 DeKalb County Streams Phase I MS4 community Metro-Atlanta County Population of 700, square miles There are 226 miles of streams in the County. 154 miles (68%) are listed as impaired on the state s 303(d) list Fecal coliform and biota

10 DeKalb WPD Priorities Integrate water quality AND quantity controls Analysis & Planning Focus on the most degraded streams Protect healthy streams Long-term budget planning Integrate County water-related programs Streamline regulatory compliance Develop reasonable and measurable targets Develop effective, practical solutions

11 2009 Developed New Watershed Management Framework Collect and analyze data Understand existing conditions Gather information/ideas brainstorm! Developed a centralized Geodatabase Identified Watershed Protection Goals & Levels of Service (LOS) Prioritized County subwatersheds and NPDES/TMDL activities; Integration of all regulatory requirements; Preparation of a Preliminary Action Plan

12 Watershed Management Strategies Protect public health, safety, and welfare Comply with applicable NPDES MS4 requirements Improve quality of the environment Increase community awareness & engage the public Enhance quality of life Promote sustainable solutions Manage assets efficiently Develop new initiatives Fiscal responsibility

13 Stormwater Management Plan Required under Phase I Meet standard of reducing pollutants to Maximum Extent Practicable Inspect and perform maintenance of infrastructure Inspect and enforce regulations on potential pollution sources HVPS Industrial facilities Illicit discharges Construction sites Municipal facilities Educate & enlist target audiences Structural & source control measures

14 New SWMP for Results-Oriented Federal and state agencies recognize need to modify activities to achieve real results, e.g. green infrastructure Local governments must find ways to be proactive Asset Management & SOPs Improved goals & strategies Ensure private owners have knowledge to maintain structures Use Watershed-based approach; Move away from prescribed activities, ie 20% policy that focuses on a checklist mentality Move towards focused approach for measurable performance

15 Watershed Approach Avoid shot-gun approach Better application of limited resources Easier integration of quality & quantity Partner wherever possible Focused actions Focus on critical areas Focus on preservation areas Focus on pollutants of concern Pathogens (fecal coliform, E. coli) TSS Match solution to pollution Measure performance

16 Revised NPDES MS4 Program Priority 1 & 2 Watersheds New SOPs for inspections and maintenance Electronic inspection forms Rank pollution sources Increase frequency on higher ranked sources

17 Watershed Improvement & Management Plans (WIMP) Stormwater Master Plans Asset Management Improved Tracking and Reporting Comprehensive Watershed Management Geodatabase Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) TMDL Implementation Plan NPDES MS4 activities by Priority Watersheds

18 Watershed Improvement & Management Plans (WIMP) (cont.) District WMP/Watershed Improvement Plan (WIP) Point Sources SSO Reduction Septic System Elimination BMP Coordination Multiple purposes Limited funds Performance-based Maintenance considerations

19 Public Involvement Public Involvement Watershed Task Force Adopt a Stream River clean ups Incentives

20 New Monitoring Program Integrate programs into one single program Permanent long-term stations Mobile stations targeted segments FECAL COLIFORM What data do we need to make better decisions? Better performance measurements?

21 5-Year Capital Improvement Program Develop Cost of Services Planning Stormwater Utility Rate Increase Year Income Required 1 ($M) O&M /Repairs/ Replacement Expenditures ($ M) Watershed Planning/ Design/Construction Expenditures ($ M)

22 More Effective BMPs Comparison of Structural BMP Pollutant Removal Effectiveness Achieve Volume Reduction Reduces conveyance requirements Disconnect Impervious Areas Rainwater Harvesting Stormwater Reuse Low Impact Development & Infiltration Practices Alternatives, e.g. Alum Treatment

23 Wateshed Improvement Projects Pine Lake wetlands Mason Mill Park & Decatur Water Works Improvements Snapfinger Creek Watershed Evaluation South River Evaluation Future Alum Treatment Disconnection of Impervious Cover

24 Questions Jo Ann J. Macrina, PE Deputy Director Watershed Protection DeKalb County Dept. of Watershed Management