Stormwater Management Improvement Projects Funded Through Federal Stimulus

The Iowa State Revolving Fund (SRF) is currently soliciting "green projects" to be funded the SRF in response to the recent Federal Stimulus Bill. The federal stimulus bill routes some of the funds for water quality through the State Revolving Fund programs. Iowa’s allocation is $53 million for Clean Water SRF and $24 million for Drinking Water SRF. About 20% of each amount is intended to be used for green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements, or other environmentally innovative activities. While the Iowa SRF has projects that can be to funded with the remaining 80 percent, there are currently few fundable proposals for “green” projects.

Eligible stormwater management projects might include:

Water efficiency
o Reclamation, recycling, and reuse of rainwater, condensate, degraded water, stormwater, and/or wastewater streams

Stormwater quality management
o Stormwater infrastructure with a treatment component
o Stormwater retrofits that address hydrologic impacts to receiving waters by reducing discharge flow volume
o Street sweepers and vacuum trucks

Green infrastructure
o Implementation of green streets (green infrastructure practices in transportation right-of-ways)
o Porous paving, bioretention, green roofs
o Establishment or restoration of riparian buffers
o Retrofits to keep stormwater out of sewer system

All of the projects funded through the stimulus funds must have an environmental review and must comply with all federal regulations

Caltha LLP provides expert technical support to clients nationwide in addressing environmental review, stormwater management and stormwater pollution prevention requirements.

[Read further information on Stormwater Plan - SWPPP Services]

[Read further information on Stormwater Training - SWPPP Training]

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
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Iowa (IDNR) Antidegradation Policy - Potential Impacts on Stormwater Permits

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is proposing changes to its “Antidegradation Policy”. The changes can impact any wastewater discharger in Iowa, but especially new permittees or existing permittees that may wish to increase their discharge in the future. The changes being proposed include:

• Incorporate by reference the document entitled “Iowa Antidegradation Implementation Procedure,” which proposes an approach to assessing and minimizing degradation of Iowa’s surface waters,
  
• Update antidegradation policy language with four tier approach,


• Remove High Quality (Class HQ) and High Quality Resource (Class HQR) designated uses and add several waters to the newly proposed Outstanding Iowa Water (OIW) category.
  
  

Antidegradation policies can potentially have a significant impact on stormwater permitting requirements. Adding new stormwater discharge points, or increasing impervious area could be viewed as “new or expanded” discharge. This could result in extensive antidegradation reviews before proposed projects are allowed permit coverage. However, currently the IDNR is proposing to conduct antidegradation reviews for discharges authorized by general permits will occur for the entire class of general permittees when the general permit is issued. Although additional requirements may have to be met, individual projects would not need to conduct their own antidegradation review under the IDNR proposal.

The purpose of the antidegradation policy is to set minimum requirements to conserve, maintain, and protect existing uses and water quality for water bodies that currently meet their water quality standards. The department is required by Clean Water Act to develop and adopt a statewide antidegradation policy and to identify procedures for implementing the policy. Comments on the draft policy are being accepted through January 29, 2009.

Caltha LLP provides technical support to dischargers needing to evaluate and address their State's antidegradation requirements.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website