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Region: Western Washington

2024 – 2029 Permit Implementation Tool

Summary: Marysville Phase II permit compliance tool, Lake stevens Phase II permit compliance tool, Permit tracking by quarter, color coded compliance deadline tracker Phase II

Summary:
Marysville Phase II permit compliance tool, Lake stevens Phase II permit compliance tool, Permit tracking by quarter, color coded compliance deadline tracker Phase II

2024 – 2029 NPDES MS4 Permit Implementation Tracking Tool

Summary: Permit Implementation Tracking tool, Thurston County template, compliance tool Phase II, compliance by due date,

Summary:
Permit Implementation Tracking tool, Thurston County template, compliance tool Phase II, compliance by due date,

WWA Phase II Permit Training Requirements

Summary: Permit training analysis by permit condition, MS4 Permit training requirements, Phase II WW, Annual Report Questions

Summary:
Permit training analysis by permit condition, MS4 Permit training requirements, Phase II WW, Annual Report Questions

City of Vancouver Integrating Environmental Justice into your Projects

Summary: EJ for facility designers,

Integrating
Environmental Justice
into Your Projects
Maddie Burke
Civil Engineer – Construction
Co-coordinator for the Washington Stormwater
Center Environmental Justice Salon
April 17, 2024
Overview
• What is Environmental
Justice?
• Effective Communication
• Common Challenges
• Mapping Tools
• Behavior Change Programs
• Mature Tree Preservation
• Applying EJ to Your Program
• Looking at Success
| Environmental Justice for Designers
What is
Environmental
Justice?
3 | Environmental Justice for Designers
Definition
The EPA defines environmental justice as:
Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all
people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the
development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations
and policies.
Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the
negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and
commercial operations or policies.
This means all people receive the same protection from environmental and health
hazards
4 | Environmental Justice for Designers
Definition
The EPA defines overburdened
communities as:
Overburdened Communities are minority,
low-income, tribal, or indigenous populations
or geographic locations in the United States
that potentially experience disproportionate
environmental harms and risks.
This risk is amplified in communities with
preexisting social and economic barriers and
environmental risks
5 | Environmental Justice for Designers
Washington State Department of Ecology
The HEAL Act – Washington State Department of Ecology
Environmental Justice is a State Priority
A coordinated state agency approach to EJ
• In 2021, Washington passed the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act based on
recommendations from the Environmental Justice Task Force
• This law requires seven state agencies to identify and address environmental health
disparities in overburdened communities.
o These agencies must set a goal of 40% of spending to go toward impacted communities
• The HEAL Act established the Environmental Justice Council, 16 members appointed
by the governor, to create a coordinated approach to EJ.
6 | Presentation Title
Environmental Justice
Principals
I. Achieve the highest attainable environmental
quality and health outcomes for all people.
II. Adopt a racial justice lens.
III. Engage community meaningfully.
IV. Be transparent.
V. Be accountable.
By the Environmental Justice Task Force
Effective
Communication
8 | Presentation Title
Building a Connection
To help these communities, we need to connect with them
• Simply targeting environmental issues won’t address the disproportionate hazards
impacting overburdened communities
• We must interact with these communities if we want to help them
• An important factor of environmental justice is connecting with overburdened
communities
9 | Presentation Title
Reducing Barriers
Meet people where they are
• Develop effective messaging
o Understand your audience so the pitches hit the mark
o Get culturally relevant information
• Minimize travel requirements when asking for public
comment
• Reduce paperwork
• Provide compensation
10 | Presentation Title
Effective Messaging Example
The Clean Rivers Coalition’s Hispanic/Latinx Community Research Report
• 2021 research project on engaging Latinx families in Oregon and SW Washington.
o surveys
o community listening session (35 people)
o focus group (9 people)
11 | Presentation Title
2021 Stormwater Partners Symposium
2021 Stormwater Partners Symposium – November 16 – YouTube
Rebuild Lost Trust
We’ve historically failed these communities, so why should they work with
us now?
• Many overburdened communities have lost trust in the government
• Be prepared for limited response to your outreach efforts
• We are working to build a relationship with these overburdened communities, plan
for change to take a long time
• Avoid tokenization
“Change happens at the speed of trust.”
12 | Presentation Title
Provide Compensation
Compensation is challenging, however, pathways will likely develop in
future policies
• Currently difficult to gain approval for compensation
• Other cities compensate through grants with a line item for compensation, then use
consultants to distribute funds
Bill 5793 – Effective 6/9/2022
13 | Presentation Title
Concerning stipends for low-income or underrepresented community members of
state boards, commissions, councils, committees, and other similar groups.
Revised for 2nd Substitute: Allowing compensation for lived experience on boards,
commissions, councils, committees, and other similar groups.
-Washington State Legislature
Common
Challenges
14 | Presentation Title
Public Outreach
Connecting can be time-consuming and difficult
• Messages aren’t reaching overburdened communities
o Connecting with these often “invisible” communities is challenging
o There’s no “right way” as each community is different
• Department support for doing what we’ve always done
o This results in no change
• EJ work rarely produces quantitative results
15 | Presentation Title
Gentrification
City projects can displace residents
• A progressive project, such as planting trees and adding bike lanes can create
rampant gentrification
• City projects can drive up property values and displace low-income residents
o Communities exposed to health hazards may not benefit from a project
• City projects have resulted in disrupted social networks and stress.
Take time to identify who will benefit from changes made to the City early in
project/program development.
16 | Presentation Title
Mapping Tools
17 | Presentation Title
Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map
By the Washington State Department of Health
18 | Presentation Title
EJScreen: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
By the Environmental Protection Agency
19 | Presentation Title
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
By the Council on Environmental Quality
20 | Presentation Title
Tree Equity Score
By American Forests
21 | Presentation Title
Advantages and Limitations
What to consider when using mapping tools
Advantages
• Helps us assist the community and
make informed decisions
• Gives us a tool to evaluate programs
geographically
• Will help us track changes in
disparities over time
• Helps to support grant writing
Limitations
• Screening tools do not, by
themselves, determine the existence
of EJ issues
• Map does not reflect community
experiences and should not be used
to replace engagement
22 | Presentation Title
Using Mapping Tools Correctly
Use maps to support your project’s positive impact
• Identify which issues drive the scores. Issues should be related to your project.
• You should be able to make a case for how your project helps the identified
overburdened community.
23 | Presentation Title
Behavior
Change
Programs
24 | Presentation Title
Behavior Change Programs
Consider barriers when implementing a behavior change program
Common Barriers
• Upfront costs
• Knowledge barriers
• Homeowner barriers
• Paperwork
Incentives are often targeted to those with existing interests and fail to excite a
new audience.
25 | Presentation Title
Behavior Change Example
Challenges during Don’t Drip & Drive
• The Don’t Drip & Drive
campaign provided free leak
inspections
• Offered coupon for $50 off
repair at participating
mechanics
• An organizer shared that
communities of color were
afraid to provide their
information.
26 | Presentation Title
Don't Drip and Drive – Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
Mature Tree
Preservation
27 | Presentation Title
Mature Tree Preservation
Mature trees have a major role in combating health disparities identified in
EJ definition
• Tree canopy improves population health, well-being, and health equity in urban
settings
• Trees enhance air quality, mitigate the urban heat island, aid water management
• Research has linked exposure to green spaces and trees with improved mental
health, reduced stress, reduced loneliness, lower all-cause mortality, and lower
rates of obesity and chronic diseases.
28 | Presentation Title
Percentage of the population living in
poverty
Tree Canopy and Income: Vancouver
Percentage of tree canopy
Percentage of the population living in
poverty
Tree Canopy and Income: Spokane
Percentage of tree canopy
Urban Tree Analysis Report 2020 (spokanecity.org)
Mature Tree Preservation
Tree inequity create a health inequity for overburdened
communities
• Low-income neighborhoods have less tree cover and hotter temperatures
• The Nature Conservancy found that 92 percent of low-income blocks in the US have
less tree cover than high-income blocks.
• The Tree Equity Score map shows neighborhoods with a majority of people of color
have 33% less tree canopy than majority white communities.
For projects in low-income neighborhoods or areas with a majority of people of color,
preserve the trees, especially trees over 12 inches in diameter.
31 | Presentation Title
Applying EJ to
Your program
32 | Presentation Title
There’s No One Right Way
If you’re trying to reach these communities, you’re making progress!
For every new project and program:
• Identify applicable overburdened
communities
• Meet these communities where they
are
• Involve these communities in a way
that’s meaningful for them
• Involve communities early when
feedback can still shape you
project/program
Don’t forget to reflect
• Take time to reflect on what
communication types were well
received by these communities.
• Share these successes with your
coworkers
33 | Presentation Title
Listen and Learn
Value the input and conversations from overburdened residents
• Start having conversations whenever the opportunity arises.
• If someone reaches out to you, value their time and their lived experiences.
• Practice meaningful engagement.
34 | Presentation Title
Strive to Achieve the
5 EJ Principals
1. Achieve the highest attainable
environmental quality and health
outcomes for all people
2. Adopt a racial justice lens
3. Engage community meaningfully
4. Be transparent
5. Be accountable
35 | Presentation Title
The Environmental Justice Task Force developed
these principles for Washington State
Screenshot from:
Environmental Justice
Task Force:
Recommendations for
Prioritizing EJ in
Washington State
Government
(October 2020)
Applying EJ to Your Program
It’s about people
A component to every
project’s success is
how people feel
Reaching someone
new is always a win
Don’t get caught up in
quantitative results
Set a goal for a percentage of
project spending to go toward
overburdened communities
Choose an attainable goal (30%-
50% of project spending)
Reflect on your spending goal
annually
37 | Presentation Title
Your projects can make a difference
We’re going to get better!
The EJ world is gaining traction, more guidance is incoming
38 | Presentation Title
• HEAL Act aims to develop strategies and community engagement plans
• Channels for providing a voice for disproportionately affected communities are
developing
• We have agency support and state support
• We are striving for a healthier environment!
Celebrate Your Wins!
This work is hard!
39 | Presentation Title
Thank You!
[email protected] | (360) 608-7645
40 | Presentation Title

Stormwater Pollution Prevention for Commercial Landscaping

Stormwater Pollution Prevention for COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING Keep our communities, creeks, lakes, and Puget Sound healthy. Carry a Spill Kit • Use absorbent pads or materials to cleanup drips and spills of chemicals, gas, or oil. Power Tools and Equipment Maintenance • Store gas and other fuels in labeled container with a closeable lid and nozzle. • Place drip pans or absorbent pads on the ground in the refueling area to catch drips. • Put rags with oil, gas, grease, or chemicals into a container labeled “Hazardous Waste.” Keep the lid closed. LOCAL CONTACT INFORMATION AND LOGO HERE Hazardous Waste Disposal • Landscaping activities can create hazardous waste that needs special disposal, including rags or absorbent materials with: • Vehicle and equipment fluids, including gas, oil, grease, thinner, and solvent. • Organic chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer. • Dispose of hazardous waste properly. • Option 1: use a licensed waste hauler. • Option 2: bring small quantities of accepted waste to a hazardous waste drop-off location. • Keep records of your hazardous waste disposal: who hauled it, how much was hauled, and when it was hauled. To request an ADA accommodation, contact Ecology by phone at 360-407-6600 or email at [email protected], or visit ecology. wa.gov/accessibility. For Relay Service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341. Find a Hazardous Waste Service Provider Find a Hazardous Waste Disposal Site tinyurl.com/y64pt48r tinyurl.com/46nczhbk Prepared by Aspect Consulting Lawn Maintenance • Check equipment for leaks before using. • Refuel equipment over a drip pan or oil-absorbent pad to catch drips. • Use electric or battery-powered equipment and minimize the use of gasoline and oil. Excavating and Grading • Avoid tracking mud and dirt onto the street, sidewalks, and gutters from vehicles and equipment when excavating and grading. • Protect storm drains at and near jobsites using filter bags or absorbent socks/booms. • Use fiber rolls, vegetation mats, silt fencing, and other erosion control materials to stabilize the soil after grading or excavating. • Direct muddy water into landscaped areas to soak into the ground. Commercial Landscaping Best Practices for Pollution Prevention Cleanup • Blow dead leaves and grass clippings into beds as mulch into beds as mulch. Do not blow onto streets or into storm drains. • Rinse empty containers and dispose of rinse water in landscaped areas or reuse when making another spray mixture of the same chemical. • Sweep up dry materials. • Use water for cleanup ONLY where it will drain to landscaped areas. • Do NOT use soap or chemicals in wash water, and do NOT direct it to the street, gutter, or storm drain. Irrigation • Use programmed irrigation systems to avoid overwatering, which may cause soil erosion. Prevent runoff from entering surface waters and paved areas. Train Crews • Train crews yearly on the use of hazardous chemicals and how to avoid spills and how to clean them up. • Keep a record of the trainings and which staff attended. • Follow guidelines in an Integrated Pest Management Plan, either your own or one from your local jursidiction. • Know your noxious weeds and local noxious weed laws. • Use organic fertilizer when possible. • Spread only the amount needed (and not more), follow label instructions. • Keep the lid closed when not using, and make sure the label is legible and accurate. • Store chemicals indoors or under cover and on a secondary containment pallet to catch any spills or drips. • Never apply chemicals if it is raining or about to rain. King County Integrated Pest Management Plan Integrated Pest Management Plan Weed Control Practices Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fertilizer www.kingcounty.gov/ipm kingcounty.gov/ WeedControlPractices

City of Belleview Stormwater Code (8 languages) Presentation

nly Rain Down The Storm Drain Rain runoff into storm drains flows directly into our local streams, lakes, and wetlands. The storm and surface water system in Bellevue is not connected to a sewage treatment plant. To protect water quality, Bellevue manages stormwater runoff by following “best management” practices and operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit issued by the state Department of Ecology. This permit is a requirement of the Federal Clean Water Act. The Bellevue Storm and Surface Water Utility Code 24.06.125 prohibits storm and surface water pollution. The City will work with you to prevent storm and surface water pollution and to comply with code requirements and restrictions. For assistance, please call 425-452-7840. Enforcement Bellevue relies primarily on public education and voluntary corrective actions to achieve compliance; however, discharging pollutants into storm drains or waterbodies will be documented and can result in escalating enforcement. The city reserves the right to proceed directly to a Notice of Violation, which can result in fines of $500 per day or more [BCC 1.18.075(E)(2)(3)]. For repeat violations that occur within two years of a previous violation, the following penalties may be imposed [BCC 1.18.075(G)(2)]. a. For the first repeat violation the penalty may equal up to $1,000 per day; b.For the second repeat violation, the penalty may equal up to $2,000 per day; c. For the third repeat violation, the penalty may equal up to $3,000 per day; d.For the fourth repeat violation, the penalty may equal up to $4,000 per day; and e. For each additional violation that may occur beyond the fourth repeat violation, the penalty may equal up to $5,000 per day. Keep dumpster areas clean. Tips to prevent pollution Have a spill kit and clean up spills promptly. Petroleum products including but not limited to oil, gasoline, grease, fuel oil and heating oil Lawn clippings, leaves, or branches Trash or debris Animal carcasses Domestic animal wastes Silt or sediment Chemicals Concrete, cement or gravel Acids, alkalis, or bases Paints Recreational vehicle wastes Steam cleaning wastes Dyes (without prior permission of the utility) Washing of fresh concrete for cleaning and/or finishing purposes or to expose aggregates Construction materials Laundry wastes Food wastes Soaps, including biodegradable soaps, detergents, or ammonia Metals in either particulate or dissolved form Pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers Flammable or explosive materials Sewage Radioactive material Heated water Batteries Chlorinated water, chlorine, bromine, or other disinfectants Paints, stains, resins, lacquers, or varnishes Degreasers and/or solvents Drain cleaners Bark and other fibrous material Swimming pool or spa filter backwash Degreasers and/or solvents Chemicals not normally found in uncontaminated water Antifreeze or other automotive products Any other process-associated discharges except as otherwise allowed in this section English Remember, it’s illegal to pollute waterways in Washington State. Call 425-452-7840 to report an illegal discharge in Bellevue. Thank you for keeping our share

WSC Landing page for GSI Assistance Programs Guidebook

Summary: Geographical Spatial Interface Programs for Stormwater, GSI Assistance Program Guidebook, Western Washington Assistance for GSI,

The Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Assistance Programs Guidebook is a tool for managers, planners, and other agency staff to update or create a GSI Assistance Program. The guidebook reviews 17 Western Washington GSI Assistance Programs that use technical assistance and/or financial incentives to support GSI installations on private property. Staff from these programs were interviewed and their guidance for developing, implementing, and evaluating GSI Assistance Programs is collated into the guidebook.
The main elements covered in this guidebook include:
An introduction to GSI Assistance Programs and overview of common GSI features
Equity considerations in GSI Assistance Programs
Guidance on developing, implementing, and evaluating a GSI Assistance Program
One-page overviews of current GSI Assistance Programs in Western Washington
Recommendations on next steps for program managers looking to create or update their GSI Assistance Program
This guidebook was created by a STORM (Stormwater Outreach for Regional Municipalities) work group.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Assistance Programs Guidebook

Summary: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Assistance Programs Guidebook, STORM coalition, Western Washington resources, GSI assistance programs for homeowners, GSI survey methodology,

Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Assistance Programs
Guidebook
A tool for managers, planners, and other agency staff to update or create a
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Assistance Program
January 2023
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Purpose and Disclaimer …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
About STORM ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Executive Summary ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Definitions ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
What is GSI Assistance? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
GSI options …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
Barriers to Developing a GSI Assistance Program …………………………………………………………………………. 9
Reasons for Developing a GSI Assistance Program ……………………………………………………………………… 10
Purpose of the GSI Assistance Programs Survey …………………………………………………………………………….. 10
GSI Assistance Program Survey Methodology …………………………………………………………………………….. 11
Guidebook Layout ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Equity ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
Barriers ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
Cost …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
Maintenance ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
Language ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
Co-designing GSI Assistance Programs ………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
Co-benefits …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
Gentrification …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15
Equity metrics ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
Program Set Up ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
Program Goal(s) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
Types of GSI …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
Type of Assistance Offered ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18
Financial Assistance …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
Technical Assistance ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20
Selecting Assistance Type(s) …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
Priority Audience ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
Audience Research ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
Establishing Site Eligibility Requirements …………………………………………………………………………………… 23
January 2023
Site Requirements……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
Program Goals ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 24
Program Coordination and Implementation Roles ……………………………………………………………………… 24
Partnerships ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
Workforce and Contractors ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26
Budget …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 27
Use of Public Funds …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 27
Program Participant Support ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 29
Program Implementation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 32
Program Promotion (Outreach) ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33
Communication Channel Examples ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
Messengers ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34
GSI Assistance Program Messaging ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 35
Tracking Outreach and Program Promotion …………………………………………………………………………… 36
Inspections and Maintenance ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 36
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 40
Program Evaluation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 42
Recommendations ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 44
Program One Pagers …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46
GSI Assistance Program Survey Responses ………………………………………………………………………..Appendix A
Figure 1: Person watering rain garden (photo credit Katie Campbell)…………………………………………………. 5
Figure 2: Downspout disconnection in progress (photo credit: City of Seattle). …………………………………… 8
Figure 3: Permeable pavement and a rain garden (photo credit: Kitsap County). ………………………………… 9
Figure 4: Family looking at a recently planted rain garden (photo credit: David Hymel). …………………….. 12
Figure 5: Backyard rain garden. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Figure 6: Example of how to select a priority audience, using City of Bellingham and Whatcom County as
an example………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 22
Figure 7: Person mulching a rain garden with wood chips (photo credit: Erica Guttman). …………………… 29
Figure 8: Downspout disconnection. …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 31
Figure 9: Person inspecting the levelness of a rain garden (photo credit: Erica Guttman). ………………….. 38
Figure 10: Community members selecting plants for a rain garden (photo credit: David Hymel). ………… 41
Figure 11: Front yard rain garden (photo credit: David Hymel). ……………………………………………………….. 43
January 2023
Acknowledgements
This guidebook was prepared by the Stormwater Outreach for Regional Municipalities (STORM) Green
Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) work group members, which include Betsy Adams (City of Kirkland),
Peggy Campbell (Snohomish County), Christie Lovelace (City of Shoreline), Eli Mackiewicz (City of
Bellingham), and Alison Schweitzer (King County).
The STORM GSI work group would also like to thank the staff that participated in the 2021 GSI
Assistance Program survey:
Apryl Hynes, City of Everett
Betsy Adams, City of Kirkland
Bob Spencer, Seattle Public Utilities
Cameron Coronado, City of Lynnwood
Christie Lovelace, City of Shoreline
David Jackson, Snohomish Conservation District
Jo Sullivan, King County
Melissa Buckingham, Pierce Conservation
District
Michael Korchonnoff, Kitsap Conservation
District
Paul Marrinan, City of Puyallup
Peggy Campbell, Snohomish County
Susan McCleary, City of Olympia
Tasha Bassett, Seattle Public Utilities
Tom Gannon, Seattle Public Utilities
Vince McIntyre, City of Port Angeles
And a big “thank you” to the staff and managers that participated in the barrier survey.
Purpose and Disclaimer
This guidebook is a report of information compiled about current GSI Assistance Programs throughout
Western Washington. Its purpose is to share information about these GSI Assistance Programs with
agencies and municipalities looking to update or start their own program.
This report captures these GSI Assistance Programs as of 2022. These programs are continually adapting
and evolving, and many have changed since this report was published. This guidebook does not obligate
jurisdictions or agencies to follow any of the recommendations provided.
For more information or questions about this report:
Alison Schweitzer- King County Stormwater Services
Phone: 206.263.6917 | Email: [email protected]
January 2023
About STORM
Stormwater Outreach for Regional Municipalities (STORM), formed in 2008, is a regional coalition of
over 80 Puget Sound area cities and counties working together to meet National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit requirements. Their efforts focus on outreach
and education to engage, build awareness, and support behavior change and personal pollution
prevention related to stormwater and water quality.
Polluted stormwater runoff is the top threat to the health of our local lakes, creeks, and Puget Sound.
Effectively engaging the public on this issue is a huge challenge. It requires broad, regionally consistent,
and recognizable pollution prevention messaging across the Puget Sound region, as well as effective
programs that address critical pollution prevention behaviors at the local level. STORM works together
to meet this challenge by ensuring that regional and local stormwater outreach efforts are effective,
consistent, and cost efficient.
STORM’s Vision: People living and working in our communities will take actions that protect water
quality within the Puget Sound basin.
STORM’s Mission: To work together with regional partners to address polluted rainwater runoff and
impacts by advancing broad-scale education & outreach and behavior change initiatives.
The STORM Resource Reservoir (https://www.pugetsoundstormgroup.org/) is an online sharing library
of outreach and education materials created by STORM members.
Figure 1: Person watering rain garden (photo credit Katie Campbell).
January 2023
Executive Summary
Many Western Washington jurisdictions, state agencies, and environmental organizations have created
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Assistance Programs. GSI Assistance Programs offer financial
and/or technical assistance to help property owners convert their landscapes in ways that reduce runoff
and prevent stormwater pollution. Each program is uniquely designed depending on its respective goals,
type(s) of assistance offered, types of GSI options promoted, and priority audiences.
This guidebook is a report of information compiled about current GSI Assistance Programs throughout
Western Washington. Its purpose is to share information about these GSI Assistance Programs with
agencies looking to update or start their own program. We hope to make the process of creating or
modifying a GSI Assistance Programs more efficient for agency staff by sharing insights, lessons learned,
and strategies for creating and implementing a GSI Assistance Program.
The main elements covered in this guidebook include:
An introduction to GSI Assistance Programs and overview of common GSI features
Equity considerations in GSI Assistance Programs
Guidance on developing, implementing, and evaluating a GSI Assistance Program
One page overviews of current GSI Assistance Programs in Western Washington
Recommendations on next steps for program managers looking to create or update their GSI
Assistance Program
We hope this guidebook inspires agency staff and provides them with a foundational framework to
begin creating or modifying their own GSI Assistance Program. Collaborative efforts to create impactful
GSI Assistance Programs do not end with this guidebook! We encourage you to reach out to program
managers for more information on specific GSI Assistance Programs (see the one-pagers for…

City of Tacoma Equity Map

Summary: City of Tacoma equity map, Tacoma livability, Tacoma accessibility map, Tacoma economy map, Tacoma education map, Tacoma environmental Health map

The Equity Index is a data-driven tool to see where your projects, policies, programs or services can have the largest impact on addressing inequity and where investment can provide the biggest improvement in factors that impact life outcomes.
The City of Tacoma uses the Equity Index to identify, track, and close disparities, and prioritize investments based on where and who has access to opportunity, for example opportunity to safely walk to school, opportunity to earn a living wage job, opportunity to access healthy food and opportunity to have safe and health environmental interactions.
We caution against a shallow analysis of the data. The Equity Index should be paired with a deeper analysis which can include community voice, storytelling, specific data, analysis of other factors and impacts, etc.
Learn more:

2022 S4F Ad Hoc Committee White Paper for MS4 permit reissuance in 2024

Summary: Permit Condition S4.F, burdensom reporting, G3 versus S4.F reporting, nexus between permits ISGP CSWP and Muni, Adaptive Management Reports and dispute resolution, TMDL versus S4.F reporting

S4F Topic Group White Paper
Co-Leads
Melissa Ivancevich
[email protected]
Doug Navetski
[email protected]
The following report contains issues identified and recommendations of the S4F topic group. The report
is organized into topics, explanations of the issue, comments made during the meetings and
recommended adjustments or requests.
1) The administrative burden for an S4F report is challenging for many jurisdictions because of
the process for meeting the G19 signature requirement.
a. A G19 signator is often a senior administrator or public official that requires approval
from multiple levels of management and accompanying documentation explaining the
need for the S4F report in order to get the signature. This is burdensome and time
consuming and can lead to a permit violation if the process takes longer than 30 days.
b. Some members of the group questioned the value of producing both aG3 notifications
and an S4F report for single-event incidents like spills. This concern is about single-event
incidents where the water quality implementation plan consists of implementing
current permit requirements with no need to change the geographic focus or change
any other permit actions in response to the incident.
i. Is there a way to address the water quality violation and to come back into
compliance with the permit for single event incidents that are already
addressed by current permit requirements that would not require a G19
signature?
ii. Is there a way to combine G3 notifications and S4F reporting into a single report
for single event incidents? Does Ecology need (use) the reports differently?
Could it be coordinated?
c. The S4F needs to be implemented equitably over the Regions. Currently, some
jurisdictions file lots of S4F reports, other jurisdictions file very few.
d. Need to ensure that Ecology has a way to ask for additional information for some
situations, how can they ask through the system? Concerns about legal aspects.
Recommended solutions: Some members propose combining the S4F reporting process with
the G3 reporting process for single event incidents. Some members propose that a G19
submittal for an S4F report not be required for single event incidents. Other members propose
to extend the timeline for submittal (i.e. within 7 days of becoming aware, notify Ecology you
will be submitting an S4F, then submit within 45 days) if the notification and signature
requirements remain unchanged. Because of the varied recommendations, the committee
recommends a follow-up conversation with Ecology.
2) There is a lack of clarity in the permit defining credible site-specific information.
a. Insert a definition of credible site-specific information in the definitions section of the
permit.
b. The definition should include the following:
i. The information must demonstrate the contribution of the MS4 outfall to the
receiving water using samples from the MS4 and samples downstream from the
outfall or samples taken from the receiving water upstream and downstream of
the outfall.
ii. Laboratory analyses should be done by an Ecology certified lab and obtained
through documented methods
iii. Field data should be conducted using calibrated instruments that have been
documented and using a documented collection method
iv. Documented observational data (photos or visual) can be used for oil sheens
and turbidity plumes when obtained by qualified personnel.
c. Qualified personnel:
i. Permittee’s investigators should verify the reported field observation(s).
Recommended solution: Add definition of “credible site-specific information” to the definitions
section using the conditions described above.
3) How to address the nexus between Construction General Permit/Industrial General Permit
and Municipal Phase I & II permits.
a. Benchmarks for Construction/Industrial Permit can be viewed as a G3 for the Municipal
permittees as the water quality standards are 5 NTU over background when the
background is 50 NTU or less; or a 10 percent increase in turbidity when the background
turbidity is more than 50 NTU.
b. The group identified the differences between Construction General Permit/Industrial
General Permit and Phase I& II permits. Permittees may or may not be notified of
CGP/IGP discharges that exceed benchmarks that are reported to Ecology. Some get
ERTS, others not.
Recommended solution(s): Ensure that all exceedances reported from CSGP or ISGP permit
holders be reported to the respective jurisdictions.
4) Currently there is no process other than a legal challenge to address differences between
Ecology and the permittee on the contents of the Adaptive Management Report.
a. Suggest adding a dispute resolution process for Adaptive Management Response
Report.
i. What are the boundaries, what does Ecology do now?
ii. The directives may include things that aren’t possible to do, such as extra
sweeping without regard to conditions like ice, etc.
b. Ecology requests additional information and/or actions that aren’t in the Permit.
Otherwise, Ecology would need to pursue a Permit Modification process.
c. Implementation Plans from S4F may include work outside of Implementation
Plan/Permit.
d. The scope has changed to include Capitol Projects and may be high cost for producing
new Implementation Plans.
Recommended solution: Insert the following statement into S4.F.3.b (Phase I & Phase II):
“If the permittee and Ecology have irreconcilable differences over the revised report then a
dispute resolution process can be invoked.”
5) Workflow process and timeline process for S4F reporting and the timeline for S4F.
a. Become aware, when does the clock start? What are the timelines for IC/IDDE and
complaint response and how does that tie into S4F?
b. Timeliness is a concern. Procedures for response create a level of insurance that
response will happen in a timely manner. Maybe put timeliness in Definitions? Also in
the flow chart?
c. At what point do incidents lead to enforcement plans? What are the discretion points?
d. Permittees (Phase Is and IIs) have the same timelines to respond to complaints.
Recommended solution: Add a flow chart as an appendix to the permit or as a Municipal
Stormwater Permit Guidance document, showing the process and timeline from receiving a
complaint to completing S4F remediation actions, including enforcement where needed.
6) Reporting S4F for discharges discovered implementing a TMDL. Already addressed under
TMDL or enforceable water quality cleanup plan?
a. What is the value of producing an S4F report for incidents discovered during a TMDL or
enforceable water quality cleanup plan? This concern is about water quality
implementation plans, implementing current permit requirements which will result in
no change to the geographic focus or change any other permit actions in response to
the incident.
b. Recommended solution: Do not require a notification under S4F or use a non-G19 S4F
(as described above) for discharges of pollutants that the TMDL is addressing discovered
during the implementation or a TMDL or other enforceable water quality cleanup plan.