Center for Watershed Protection, works with watershed groups, local, state, and federal governments. Provides tools communities need to protect streams, lakes, and rivers. 24 staff in MD, VA, PA, NY

1. Accelerating Action –
The Delaware River Watershed Forum
Session 3
Stormwater Regulatory Context
Gregory Hoffmann, P.E.
Center for Watershed Protection

2. About the Center for Watershed
Protection
• Non-profit 501(c)3, non-advocacy organization
• Work with watershed groups, local, state, and
federal governments
• Provide tools communities need to protect
streams, lakes, and rivers
• 24 staff in MD, VA, PA, NY
www.cwp.org

3. Who are You?
Are you from…
-a watershed group?
-a local government?
-a state or federal agency?
-a university?
-a somewhere I’ve forgotten to mention?

4. Who are You?
-How many of you have taken a photograph
of a stormwater practice while you are on
vacation?

5. STORMWATER REGULATION
SOUP
MS4

6. Clean Water Act
Total Maximum
Daily Loads
National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination
System Permits
Industrial
Construction
Municipal

7. Clean Water Act
Total Maximum
Daily Loads
National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination
System Permits
Industrial
Construction
Municipal

8. Municipal
Combined
Sewers and
Wastewater
Treatment
Plants
Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer System
Phase I
Phase II

9. SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
1. Public Education and Outreach
Basics: Make the public aware of their impact on
stormwater quality.
Opportunities:
• Develop partnerships between community and
watershed groups.
• Achieve water quality improvements on
private property.

10. SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
2. Public Participation/Involvement
Basics: Involve the Public in Development of
Stormwater Program
Opportunities:
• Better communication between community
and watershed groups.
• Achieve public support for stormwater
program.
• On-the-ground implementation

11. SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
3. Illicit Discharge
Detection and Elimination
Basics: “Only Rain Down the
Storm Drain”
Opportunities:
• Cleaning up the dirtiest water can have very
significant impacts on overall water quality.

12. 3. Illicit Discharge
Detection and Elimination
CWP Maryland Study:
• Over 25% of outfalls have dry weather flow
• 70-100% of outfalls with dry weather are
potential illicit discharges
• Up to 20% of annual nitrogen load and 90% of
total bacteria load.
8”

13. SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
4. Construction Site Runoff Control
Basics: Enforce Erosion and Sediment Control
Rules
Opportunities:
• Keep sediment
out of waterways.
Source: Schueler and Lugbill, 1990

14. SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
5. Post Construction Runoff Control
Basics: Require water quality practices for new
development and redevelopment.
Opportunities:
• “Don’t make it worse.”
• Redevelopment can improve water quality if
regulations are implemented.

15. 5. Post Construction Runoff Control
PA:
• Volume from 2-year storm increase (3.3”).
• Redevelopment: 20% improvement.
NJ:
• Volume from 2-year storm increase.
• Redevelopment: 50% improvement.
NY:
• Volume from 0.8” to 1.2” storm increase
• Redevelopment: At least 25% improvement.

16. SIX MINIMUM MEASURES
6. Pollution Prevention/Good
Housekeeping
Basics: Reduce pollution from maintenance
activities, storage yards, etc.
Opportunities:
• Be an example to the community.
• Clean up the dirty water first.

17. SIX MINIMUM MEASURES + 1
7. TMDL Implementation
Basics: Retrofits, stream restoration, and other
restoration practices to meet pollutant goals.
Opportunities:
• Retrofits and stream restoration can be very
visible practices, with great water quality
benefits.
• Cost effective if you focus on the low-hanging
fruit.

18. POINTS TO CONSIDER
All of the minimum measures have the potential
to lead to significant water quality improvements.
Current focus on retrofits should not overshadow
other opportunities.
The best watershed plans will consider all types
of opportunities.