Title
Request for Adoption of Resolution in Support of the Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC) comments on the proposed NPDES Wastewater Discharge General Permit, No. MIG61000
Body
WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has proposed new watershed-based and jurisdictional storm water general permits which regulate storm water discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems in compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act;
and,
WHEREAS, the proposed permit places new costly, cumbersome and prescriptive measures on communities and counties that will add to operating costs but will not allow ARC communities to continue their documented progress toward achieving water quality standards using the flexible practices incorporated to date.
and,
WHEREAS, the proposed permit emphasizes extensive individual documentation and reporting rather than achieving measurable, watershed-wide improvements through innovative, cost-effective solutions with watershed partners.
and,
WHEREAS, the proposed permit severely limits local control and decision-making that has been a guiding principle of the watershed permit while discouraging implementation of alternative, cost-effective approaches based on existing watershed conditions.
and,
WHEREAS, many of the new requirements are time-consuming, expensive, and will not allow communities to focus their limited resources on documented water quality challenges
and,
WHEREAS, municipal government budgets across the state are strained and these added duties constitute mandates on City departments that cannot be financially absorbed;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Rochester Hills requests that the MDEQ and its Director allow flexible, yet enforceable permit requirements that will lead to improved water quality;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the MDEQ and its Director institute water quality control measures that target the water quality challenges at a given location;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the MDEQ re-institute the existing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative (SWPPI) process that allowed the MDEQ sufficient oversight and control to assure that all communities were making progress.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the MDEQ return to a permit that allows sufficient flexibility to permit the state’s watersheds to identify their most pressing issues and to address them.