PORT ANGELES — Clallam County lawmakers received a draft stormwater management plan that aims to help the county and its residents prevent flooding, improve water quality and preserve aquatic habitat.
County planners presented to commissioners the 65-page document — the result of an Environmental Protection Agency grant and a 25- to 30-member work group that held 11 public meetings from April 2010 to March 31.
“I would underscore that this is a plan, much like a comprehensive plan, a land-use plan that is a guiding document,” said Steve Gray, Clallam County planning manager. “It’s not binding that we implement, but it provides a guide of how we can get there.”
Gray said the stormwater document will help the county update its current ordinances should it decide to do so.
Commissioners took no action on the plan in their work session.
The Clallam County Planning Commission will discuss the draft comprehensive stormwater management plan when it convenes Wednesday.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Room 160 of the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
A public hearing is tentatively planned for the May 18 commissioners’ meeting.
The plan makes recommendations in eight topic areas:
■ Public education and involvement.
■ Developments and redevelopment requirements.
■ Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
■ Pollution prevention and source control.
■ Long-term compliance.
■ Additional assessments.
■ Funding.
■ Stormwater monitoring and analysis.
For development requirements, the plan recommends the immediate adoption of a “clearing and grading” ordinance for new or redeveloped sites greater than 7,000 square feet or built on steep slopes.
The document is available on the county website, www.clallam.net.
Any changes to an ordinance would require a separate public participation process, Gray said.
“Many components of the stormwater strategy will require additional funding for the county to implement those recommendations,” Clallam County Senior Planner Carol Creasey said.
Sheila Roark Miller, county community development director, said problems associated with stormwater are generally caused by large developments, roads and ditches — not single-family dwellings.
“You can move it forward if you choose,” Commissioner Mike Chapman told Roark Miller, who was elected last November and took office in January.
“You can stop it if you choose.”
Roark Miller said the city of Port Angeles’ stormwater mandates are more stringent than the county’s.
“The county is not required to meet that same level,” she said.
Commissioner Mike Doherty thanked the members the stormwater work group for their efforts.
“And I want to acknowledge them in their dedication and commitment to the process,” Creasey added.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
