Lane County’s Stormwater Management Program was created in 2007 to comply with Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The NPDES is a federal permit, under the Clean Water Act, that requires operators of municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to implement best management practices to prevent contaminants from reaching our streams via stormwater runoff. The Phase II permit requires all affected municipalities to create and implement a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) which addresses 6 Minimum Control Measures to result in significant reductions of pollutants discharged into waterbodies. These include:
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Public Education and Outreach – This is how we inform residents, businesses, and industries about urban stormwater runoff and pollution prevention.
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Public Participation and Involvement – This involves including the public in the stormwater planning process.
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Illicit Discharge Detection – This addresses illegal or illicit dumping of pollutants, whether accidental or intentional.
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Construction Site Runoff Control – This is how we work with contractors and developers to prevent land clearing or construction from resulting in erosion, sedimentation, and soil loss.
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Post-Construction Site Runoff Control – To ensure that new developments' “build-in” features (such as bioswales) continuously manage water quality into the future.
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Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations – To assess the County’s own maintenance practices and policies to ensure that work crews use best management practices to minimize pollution in their everyday tasks.
In Lane County, the MS4 Permit area lies just outside the urban growth boundary (UGB) of Eugene & Springfield area. SEE MAP
The County works closely with the cities of Eugene and Springfield on stormwater issues within the UGB. For more information on local stormwater programs please visit their websites.
County activities related to water quality are listed in the County's Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). Lane County's most recent SWMP revisions were approved in June 2023. The approved SWMP is available for review here:
LC Stormwater Management Program
Need more information?
Contact:
Zach Peterson
Stormwater Coordinator
Email