Creating a Stormwater Utopia

Through plans, forms, fee schedules, and mission statements, MS4 coordinators around the United States have created their ideal stormwater fiefdoms. However, the plans, forms, and policies that were carefully crafted to support this stormwater utopia oftentimes end up collecting dust on a forgotten bookshelf. This presentation will examine how MS4 coordinators can more effectively get beyond the "MS4 program on paper" and take actionable steps to implement a program that is adaptable, flexible, and effective at protecting water quality.

Full Abstract: Stormwater departments are a relatively new cog in local government bureaucracies. Through plans, forms, fee schedules, and mission statements, MS4 coordinators around the United States have created their ideal stormwater fiefdoms. In this stormwater utopia, contractors read, understand, and follow the fine print details of their stormwater pollution prevention plans; inspection forms are submitted in a timely manner; and city planners and developers understand how low impact development can be beneficial to the community. This continues for five years until permit requirements are updated, and the MS4 responds by updating their program. In the real world, plans collect dust, forms get forgotten about, and well-meaning policies get overruled by other departments. Unforeseen scenarios arise that don’t have a clear-cut solution outlined in the stormwater ordinance or policies. Adaptive management strategies can help municipalities overcome these challenges.

While an adaptive management strategic plan is helpful, these strategies must go beyond the written plan. These strategies require action, learning, and iterative improvements. This presentation will examine how MS4 coordinators can more effectively get beyond the MS4 program on paper and take actionable steps to implement a program that is adaptable, flexible, and effective at protecting water quality. To do this, participants will examine the purpose of the MS4 program and some of the tools that are needed to implement the program. With this understanding, participants will then explore some of the reasons these tools can become ineffective. Finally, participants will explore how adaptive management can be used to overcome some of the common ineffective areas of an MS4 program.