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TAPE

TAPE is the Washington State Department of Ecology’s process for evaluating and approving emerging stormwater treatment BMPs.

New stormwater treatment BMPs that are not currently in the Stormwater Management Manuals must be evaluated to demonstrate they meet Ecology’s performance goals for new development and redevelopment.

The Washington Stormwater Center manages the operation and development of the TAPE program in partnership with Ecology.

The TAPE program provides a rigorous evaluation protocol and peer-reviewed regulatory certification process that is recognized across the nation. TAPE evaluations must be conducted in the field, at a site in the Pacific Northwest or at an Ecology approved Stormwater Technology Evaluation Facility. Results from evaluations must meet performance goals for one or more of the following treatment categories:

  • Basic (total suspended solids)
  • Dissolved metals (dissolved copper and zinc)
  • Phosphorus
  • Oil
  • Pretreatment

Navigating the TAPE process and understanding the requirements of TAPE protocol can be daunting. The flow chart shows the general path for moving through the TAPE program. WSC staff are available to assist companies with any questions they have or obstacles they hit during their TAPE evaluations. 

The TAPE program relies on outside expertise, in the roles of our Board of External Reviewers and Stakeholder Advisory Group, to provide recommendations on technology certifications and guidance and input on updates to the TAPE program. Let us know if you are interested in joining either the Board of External Reviewers or the Stakeholder Advisory Group.

 

Board Of External Reviewers (BER)

The Board of External Reviewers (BER) consists of stormwater experts from across the United States. The Board reviews sampling plans or quality assurance project plans (QAPP’s), technical evaluation reports (TERs), and certain applications that are submitted to the TAPE program. Washington Stormwater Center staff coordinates with the BER to perform technical reviews of TAPE documents and make recommendations to Ecology on technology certification. The BER also provides expertise and guidance on the continuing evolution of the TAPE program.

Below is a list of the Board members along with their affiliations.

Seth Brown, PE

Storm and Stream Solutions, LLC

G. Allen Burton, Ph.D.

University of Michigan

Donald Carpenter, Ph.D., P.E./ LEED AP

Drummond Carpenter, PLLC

Allen P. Davis, PE, Ph.D.

University of Maryland

James Houle, MA, CPSWQ

University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center

Dick Magee, PE, Sc.D.

Technical Director, NJCAT

Dipen Patel, Ph.D.

California State University, Sacramento

Larry Roesner, PE, Ph.D.

Colorado State University

David Sample, PE, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech

Eric Strecker, P.E.

Independent Consultant

Daniel Macadam

University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center

Courtney Gardner

University of Texas at Austin

Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG)

The Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) consists of stormwater professionals from government agencies throughout Washington State, the City of Portland, Oregon, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The SAG represents organizations that will use, or permit the use of, stormwater treatment technologies. The SAG members provide input and guidance to Ecology and the Washington Stormwater Center regarding revisions to the TAPE Guidance document and the direction and evolution of the TAPE program. 

Below is a list of the SAG members along with their affiliations.

David Batts

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Dana de Leon

City of Tacoma, Public Works, Environmental Services

Anita Fichthorn

Port of Tacoma

Mieke Hoppin

City of Tacoma, Public Works, Environmental Services

Mark Maurer

Evergreen StormH2O

Alex Nguyen

Washington State Department of Transportation

Henry Stevens

City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services

Matt Zarecor

Spokane County, Engineering & Roads