S5.C.4 Public Involvement and Participation
Required action for 2024 Permit compliance includes:
Each Permittee shall post on their website their SWMP Plan, and the Annual Report required under S9.A no later than May 31 each year.
"The City must have a process to provide opportunities for the public to be involved in the development and implementation of the SWMP".
Summary of Program Component
Public involvement is useful for identifying areas where the City may tailor its SWMP, and other programs, to local needs and priorities, identify additional tools to meet permit requirements, or identify areas where it is desirable to go beyond permit requirements.
The City’s Environmental Services Commission provides an ongoing source of public input on components of the SWMP. Other opportunities for public input on SWMP updates will be scheduled as appropriate.
Public comments submitted before March 15, 2024, will be considered for inclusion in the Final SWMP document posted on March 31, 2024. Comments will still be accepted and answered the remainder of the year.
(Email: swnpdespermits@cityoftacoma.org, or click the image below)
Public Participation Opportunities for SWMP Development and Implementation (S5.C.4.a.)
ES is working on a condensed version of the SWMP Plan that will be mailed to all utility customers in 2025. The abbreviated SWMP will provide a general overview of the NPDES Phase I Permit and the actions underway by the City of Tacoma to prioritize stormwater management and maintain Permit compliance. Readers will be encouraged to review this document as the comprehensive SWMP Plan. Increased input from the general public will help the City focus program development and outreach efforts on areas of concern or interest to the community. Public involvement in implementing the SWMP is also included in the education and outreach actions described in SWMP Section S5.C.11.
The City’s Stormwater Management Manual was updated to be equivalent to the Washington State Dept. of Ecology’s Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington. The City is implementing all Ecology-mandated changes and completed additional updates for clarity and to reflect updates in City policies and procedures. The updated 2021 SWMM replaced the 2016 version on July 1, 2021. The SWMM is now available as an online searchable version (Click below) to aid implementation.
The City’s Environmental Services Commission meets regularly throughout the year and provides public input on a variety of issues affecting the Environmental Services Department’s three utilities; stormwater, wastewater, and solid waste, including implementation of the SWMP. Commissioners represent a cross-section of Tacoma’s residential, business, and regulatory communities.
The Environmental Services Commission reviews, advises, and makes recommendations to City staff and the City Council regarding:
Residential and commercial programs and services;
Short-term and long-range planning;
Rates, rate structures, and rate assistance programs;
Capital Investment Program financing structures;
Revisions to or new contracts for City-provided wholesale and retail services; and
City policies directly related to utility functions.
Make SWMP Plan and Annual Report Available on the City Website (S5.C.4.b.)
NPDES permit submittals are currently posted on and continue to be updated at the Stormwater Water Management Program home page located on the City website (Click below).
