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Yes, my spell check does work. These are just more acronyms that come from
government programs. I’ve never been able to learn the “language” of acronyms.
In the early 1990’s, the U.S. EPA set up some basic storm water programs to be
adopted by the states. Subsequently, during the period from late 2001 though mid
2003, additional rules were established with Rule 13 (Indiana Code 327 IAC
15-13) being adopted during March 2003 and effective August 6, 2003. This
regulation required designation of a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
Operator and development of a Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP). On
September 15, 2003, the Vanderburgh County Commissioners designated the County
Engineer as the MS4 Operator for Vanderburgh County. There are four other MS4
Districts in Vanderburgh County: the City of Evansville, the University of
Southern Indiana, the University of Evansville and Ivy Tech. At the time, the
WIA newsletter “Pointing Westward” addressed this subject no fewer than six
times and at our August board meeting voted 15 in-favor with one abstention to
support the designation of the County Engineer as the MS4 Operator for the
county.
My interest at this point is to attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of this
change, help to further education about the process and raise awareness of the
importance of storm water control. The following analysis pertains only to the
Vanderburgh County MS4 District and is based on the required Rule 13 Annual
Reports. Two reports have been required at this time and the following is not
all-inclusive.
- One requirement of Rule 13 is Public Education and Outreach. The
implementation and success of Rule 13 involves many groups in addition to
the County Engineer. It is a county requirement. Many groups are involved
with education and outreach programs including the VC Soil and Water
Conservation District (SWCD), VC Solid Waste District, VC Surveyor,
Riverwatch, Water Awareness for the Vanderburgh Environment (WAVE) and
several other groups. Although I’m a believer that more can almost always be
done, the reports indicate a great deal of activity in this area.
- Another requirement is to Implement Storm Drain Markings. All
storm sewer inlet castings on new streets are stamped “Dump No Waste–Drains
to Waterway”. 51 were installed during 2005 and 137 in 2006.
- Mapping of Storm Sewer Conveyances is 33% complete in the first
two years of the program.
- Further requirements include the adoption of a Construction Site
Storm Water Runoff Control Ordinance, a Plan Review Process, Site
Inspections and other requirements all of which are in place.
- MS4 conveyances (storm water) are to be mapped and during the 2006
period, 127,437 linear feet were mapped using the GIS (Geographic
Information System). 136 outfalls have also been mapped.
- Citizen drop-off centers for automotive fluids have increased from
10 in 2005 to 12 in 2006.
- 2005 included 311 construction site inspections while 277 occurred
during 2006.
- Best Management Practices installed including detention basins,
silt fences, erosion control blankets and other practices during 2005 were
98 and 186 during 2006.
Recognizing the state has not yet completed a manual for Construction Site
Best Management Practices, some additional local ordinances are still required
and this was an “unfunded mandate” causing money and manpower shortages, in my
opinion, the County Engineer John Stoll and his staff have done an outstanding
job in implementing and administering Rule 13. I’m sure with additional tools
and further experience it will only get better. We’ll continue to follow this
important process.
--by Fred Padget
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