Polluted stormwater runoff is commonly transported through
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), from which it is
discharged untreated into local water bodies. To prevent harmful
pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4, operators
must obtain a NPDES permit and develop a stormwater management
program.
-
Phase I, issued in 1990, requires medium and large cities or
certain counties with populations of 100,000 or more to
obtain NPDES permit coverage for their stormwater
discharges.
-
Phase II, issued in 1999, requires regulated small MS4s in
urbanized areas, as well as small MS4s outside the urbanized
areas that are designated by the permitting authority, to
obtain NPDES permit coverage for their stormwater
discharges.
Since
being issued a NER300002 MS4 permit in January of 2006 the City
of Hastings has been continually working towards the goal of
fully implementing the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). The
plan was written with a large focus on the education of the
local community. From developers to school age children the City
of Hastings SWMP will target these groups in some way. It is our
goal to inform all citizens of ways they can continue good
stewardship to the environment and improve its quality for
future generations. Programs developed under the SWMP will focus
on meeting federal and state regulatory requirements while
creating reachable goals and outcomes in pollutant reduction.
Please feel free to view the City of Hastings Stormwater
Management Plan and our annual reports submitted to the State of
Nebraska. Questions or comments are always welcome.
|
