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Proposed Rulemaking on Stormwater Management and Soil Erosion and Sediment Control

DDOE is currently holding an informal comment period on the revised version of DDOE's Proposed Rulemaking on Stormwater Management and Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (the revised rule) and on the revised version of DDOE’s proposed Stormwater Management Guidebook (the revised SWMG).

DDOE will accept comments on the revised rule and revised SWMG through Tuesday, April 30, 2013.  Both documents are available under the “Resources” heading below, with non-formatting changes tracked in one copy and all changes accepted in a second copy.  

The revised rule and SWMG are designed to:

  • Significantly reduce stormwater pollution flowing into the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and Rock Creek, and other District waterbodies by making the District “spongier” and better mimicking how the vegetated natural environment captures and uses rainwater and allows it to soak into the soil.
  • Improve the health of District waterbodies over time, making them more usable and attractive for District residents, businesses, and visitors.
  • Update the District’s existing requirements to reflect the current scientific, engineering, and practical understanding in the field and to be comparable to other urban jurisdictions, such as Philadelphia, PA and Montgomery County, MD.
  • Improve equity in how the burden of stormwater management is allocated in the District;
  • Provide flexible compliance options for regulated sites to maximize cost savings while still protecting District waterbodies;
  • Create a financial incentive and business opportunity for voluntary installation of stormwater retrofits to earn Stormwater Retention Credits that can be sold to regulated sites to meet part of their requirements.
  • Allow the District to comply with federal requirements established in the stormwater permit issued to the District by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Questions on the Proposed Rule should be directed to Brian Van Wye at Brian.VanWye@dc.gov or (202) 741-2121.

Revised Stormwater Management Guidebook (SWMG)

The revised SWMG provides technical guidance on complying with the revised  rule. As part of the informal comment period, DDOE is accepting comments on the revised SWMG through Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

Questions on the revised Stormwater Management Guidebook should be directed to Rebecca Stack at Rebecca.Stack@dc.gov (202) 727-5160.

Public Comment

The informal comment period on the revised rule and the revised SWMG extends through Tuesday, April 30, 2013.  Instructions for submitting comments are included in the preamble to the revised rule.

Prior to this informal comment period, DDOE conducted a first formal public comment period, which began with the publication of the proposed rule  in the August 10, 2012 issue of the D.C. Register and ended on November 8, 2012.  DDOE refers to the versions of the rule and the SWMG that were presented for public comment during this first formal comment period as “the proposed rule” and “the proposed SWMG,” both of which are available under “Resources” below.  The public comments that DDOE received on the proposed rule and proposed SWMG are also available below.

After the informal comment period and prior to a final rulemaking action, DDOE will conduct a second formal public comment period.

Training Sessions and Public Meetings

During the informal comment period, DDOE will host public meetings to respond to clarifying questions related to the revised rule and revised SWMG. DDOE will also hold a training/feedback session focused on parcel-based projects with public right-of-way (PROW) disturbance.

The schedule for these sessions is below:

• Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 1–5 pm: MEP for PROW disturbance by parcel-based projects
• Friday, April 19, 2013 from 1–4 pm: Session to respond to clarifying questions
• Friday, April 26, 2013 from 1–4 pm: Session to respond to clarifying questions

All sessions will be held at DDOE’s office, located at 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20002. If you plan to participate in any of these sessions, please email Brian VanWye at Brian.VanWye@dc.gov to RSVP.

As discussed in the preamble to the revised rule, DDOE will do its best to accommodate requests for additional clarifying meetings. For requests focused on the revised rule, please contact Brian Van Wye at Brian.VanWye@dc.gov or (202)-741-2121. For requests focused on the revised SWMG, please contact Rebecca Stack at Rebecca.Stack@dc.gov or (202)-727-5160.

Notifications Related to Rule and Guidebook

To be added to a notification list for news related to the Proposed Rulemaking, please email Arquena Dailey at arquena.dailey2@dc.gov or call 202-741-2136.

Resources