The City’s SWMP contains the eleven components as outlined in the Permit Section S5 and an additional section to document the stormwater monitoring and assessment requirements of Permit Section S8.  The SWMP components are summarized here:

(Click on the Component to go directly to that page)

S5.C.1. Legal:  The City must have the legal authority to control discharges to and from the municipal storm sewers owned by the City.  Chapter 12.08 of the Tacoma Municipal Code (TMC) provides this authority.

S5.C.2. Mapping:  The City’s stormwater system must be mapped.  This work was started under the 1995 permit and is continuing.  The City’s TacomaMap (tMAP) will be updated with new mapping information as it becomes available.

S5.C.3. Coordination:  A written internal coordination agreement is required to facilitate internal cooperation between various City departments and divisions.  Coordination with adjacent municipal stormwater permittees is also required.  The City coordinates our permit activities with adjacent municipal stormwater permittees and other surrounding municipalities that have interconnected systems or which discharge into or are adjacent to the same surface water bodies that Tacoma discharges into.

S5.C.4. Public Involvement and Participation:  The City must have a process to provide opportunities for the public to be involved in the development and implementation of the SWMP.  Permit submittal information will be posted on the City’s website and opportunities for public input will be provided as appropriate.

S5.C.5. Controlling Runoff from New Development, Redevelopment and Construction Sites:  This includes the City’s program to prevent and control the impacts of runoff from new development, redevelopment and construction activities.  It covers private and public development, including right-of-way improvements.  The Permit requires compliance with the Minimum Requirements.

S5.C.6. Stormwater Planning:  The City shall have a program to inform and assist in the development of policies and strategies as water quality management tools to protect receiving waters.

S5.C.7. Structural Stormwater Controls:  The City shall have a program to prevent or reduce impacts to waters of the state caused by stormwater discharges.  The program is intended to address impacts that are not adequately controlled by the other required actions of the SWMP.  For this permit cycle, a required level of effort must be demonstrated.

S5.C.8. Source Control:  Inspections of pollutant generating sources are required for all sites that are potential pollutant sources, including most commercial and industrial properties.  Sites owned by the City will also be inspected.  The Permit requires compliance with the source control sections of the SWMM.

S5.C.9. Illicit Connections and Discharges:  The City will maintain a program to detect, remove and prevent illicit connections and discharges, including spills into the City’s separate storm sewer system.  All staff who might observe an illicit discharge will be trained.

S5.C.10. Operation and Maintenance:  Maintenance standards and inspection programs are required for public and private stormwater facilities.  Best Management Practices (BMPs) are also required to be implemented for the maintenance activities on public lands and roadways to reduce stormwater impacts.  The City participates in the Regional Road Maintenance Endangered Species Act (ESA) Program.  Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) have been developed for heavy equipment maintenance and storage yards and material storage facilities owned by the City.

S5.C.11.  Education and Outreach:  The City will engage in Education and Outreach Programs to build general awareness, effect behavior change and promote stewardship opportunities.  Target audiences include the general public, including school‑age children, businesses, engineers, contractors, developers, and land use planners.  During this permit cycle, the City will more robustly consider the needs of overburdened communities.

S8. Stormwater Monitoring and Assessment:  The City pays into a collective fund for the Stormwater Action Monitoring (SAM) Small Streams Status and Trends Monitoring.  The City conducts a SWMP Effectiveness Study based on continuing stormwater discharge monitoring at seven outfalls in the Thea Foss Waterway.