North Carolina Construction News staff writer
The City of Charlotte is inviting public input on its draft Stormwater Management Plan, a key component of its compliance with federal stormwater regulations under the Clean Water Act.
The plan, required by the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, outlines how Charlotte will manage stormwater pollution over the next five years. The most recent version of the city’s permit was issued on June 1, 2024.
The public review period for the draft plan began April 14 and will remain open through May 9. Residents are encouraged to review the plan and submit written comments by mail or email. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on May 9 and can be sent to Steve Jadlocki at Charlotte Storm Water Services, 4100 West Tyvola Road, Charlotte, NC 28208, or emailed to St************@*********nc.gov. Questions can also be directed to 980-497-1930.
“This plan outlines how Charlotte will continue to protect our water resources while meeting federal permit requirements,” said Jadlocki, who manages the city’s stormwater compliance programs.
The draft Stormwater Management Plan includes nine core programs:
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Public Education and Outreach – Promotes water quality awareness through various media platforms.
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Public Involvement and Participation – Offers community engagement opportunities such as stream cleanups and storm drain marking.
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Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination – Identifies and removes illegal pollutants like sewage and chemicals.
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Construction Site Runoff Control – Regulates sediment and runoff from development sites.
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Post-Construction Stormwater Management – Ensures long-term pollution control on developed sites.
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Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping – Maintains city facilities to prevent stormwater pollution.
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Industrial Facilities Evaluation – Monitors industrial sites for compliance with stormwater regulations.
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Water Quality Monitoring – Assesses stream conditions to measure the success of pollution control efforts.
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Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation – Addresses specific pollutants identified in state and federal watershed plans.
The City encourages residents, businesses, and environmental stakeholders to participate in the public review process, noting that community involvement is essential to the success of Charlotte’s stormwater initiatives.
The full draft Stormwater Management Plan and NPDES permit are available online through the city’s website.