Stormwater Management

Key Importance of Clean Stormwater

Water is a finite resource. We must treat it very carefully. Stormwater - precipitation from rain and snow - is our major source of fresh water. Stormwater management is important since it critically affects our water quality and supply, as well as recreational activities like swimming and fishing and a broad range of ecological functions.

Only about one percent of the water on earth is fresh water and available to support life. There is no new natural source. Fresh water is constantly recycled.

Although nonpoint source pollution (pollution from diffuse sources like run-off) has been recognized for decades as a major water quality problem, until recently our efforts have focused on point sources like sewage plant discharge pipes. However, nonpoint sources, generally from stormwater, produce as much as half the pollutants in our surface and ground water.

The ABCs of Stormwater

Stormwater a Major Water Source

Stormwater resulting from rain and snow is an important source of fresh water that feeds our streams, rivers, lakes and underground aquifers. As a water source, stormwater run-off must be clean and in good supply to protect our drinking water supplies, and preserve streams and lakes for human recreation and wildlife habitat.

How we use land directly affects the way stormwater flows, its total amount of run-off (volume) and its increased speed (rate) in reaching our waterways. Under undisturbed conditions, over half of precipitation infiltrates the soil and only about ten percent runs off the surface. The infiltrated water both recharges underground aquifers and slowly enters streams, maintaining their flow during dry weather.
Natural vegetation acts like a sponge, a filter, and a water recycling system. It

  • Allows precipitation to slowly infiltrate into the soil;
  • Slows the flow of run-off;
  • Filters and treats the run-off; and
  • Recycles a portion of the precipitation to the atmosphere through evapo-transpiration.

Development Reduces Stormwater Quality
The addition of impervious surfaces like roads, pavement and buildings reduces the area where stormwater can soak into the soils to replenish water supplies. Soil compaction and the removal of vegetation also reduce this important recharge function. Less water infiltration means more water flowing on the surface. Water runs off more rapidly and less water recharges underground aquifers. This increase in run-off may

  • Cause more erosion, eating away the banks of lakes, rivers and streams;
  • Cause more damaging and more frequent flood events;
  • Wash more pollutants into the streams, lakes and oceans picks up all sorts of contaminants - litter, pesticides, fertilizer, pet wastes, petroleum products, and road salts - which can cause fish kills, force beach closing and degrade recreational areas; and
  • Reduce the recharge to aquifers used as potable water supplies and to the vital base flow of streams during periods of low precipitation.

Roadways and storm sewers act like superhighways for stormwater, speeding its flow.


New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP's) Stormwater and Nonpoint Pollution Regulations and Programs

As part of New Jersey's compliance with federally mandated requirements, the NJDEP's 2004 stormwater regulations (NJAC 7.8) aim to reduce flooding and nonpoint water source pollution through stormwater management.


State Requirements for Municipalities

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) stormwater rules adopted in 2004 require municipalities, most public colleges and universities, county, state, interstate and federal public complexes and transportation agencies to file a Request for Authorization for permits to cover stormwater discharges from storm sewers.
To keep stormwater clean, NJDEP divides requirements into

The regulations divide New Jersey's municipalities into two groups.

  • Tier A towns that have at least 1,000 people per square mile and a population of at least 10,000; and
  • Tier B towns that have less than 1,000 people per square mile and a population less than 10,000.

NJDEP's Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control offers Guidance Documents for Tier A and Tier B towns including information on

  • Stormwater pollution prevention management,
  • Model stormwater control ordinances,
  • Groundwater recharge spreadsheets,
  • Educational information and brochures.

Municipalities can deny applications to reduce the 300-foot buffer. A May 2007 rule proposal establishing new standards for Category 1 water bodies gives more detailed descriptions.

An emphasis on the use of non-structural stormwater management techniques, including minimizing disturbance, minimizing impervious surfaces, minimizing the use of stormwater pipes, preserving natural drainage features etc. helps protect stormwater quality.


Permitting for Existing Development.

The state law and regulations require municipalities to put together a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. The plan shows in detail how the municipality will accomplish the following required tasks

  • Map and monitor existing stormwater outfalls;
  • Pass ordinances to meet the stormwater rule's minimum standards for new development;
  • Initiate good housekeeping practices for public work yards, streets, stormwater conveyance system;
  • Control solids and floatables by street sweeping, stormwater facility maintenance, litter control, pet and wildlife waste control.

Management for New Development
State law and regulations require towns to adopt a Stormwater Management Plan with ordinances that mimic nature. New developments are required to

  • Infiltrate stormwater into the ground, where possible;
  • Strictly control post-development stormwater quality;
  • Continue to manage stormwater volume through controlling the rate of runoff;
  • Use non-structural Best Management Practices
  • Mount a public education program;
  • Have a 300-foot buffer on either side of Category 1 water bodies and tributaries within their sub-watershed drainage boundaries the buffer applies to nonpoint and point sources of pollution. Such water bodies are to be protected from changes in water quality including measurable or calculable changes.

Under the US Geological Survey's Hydrologic Unit Code for delineating and identifying drainage areas these subwatershed areas are called HUC 14s. New Jersey's subwatershed HUC 14 areas

    • Set the boundaries of the 921 smallest mapped drainage areas throughout the state;

    • Are defined and uses described in NJDEP's Stormwater Frequently Asked Questions at sections 1.8, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4

Exemptions

The current regulations also put in place strict limitations on project exemptions. Development projects are exempt from the new standards only if they obtained local approvals by February 2, 2004 AND need no New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) permit.

Development projects that require NJDEP permits for wetlands, stream encroachment, Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) or waterfront development are exempt only if they received the NJDEP permit(s) by February 2, 2004 and have a stormwater component.

Schools are not exempt. The stormwater management regulations (NJAC 7:8) require conformance for any government development that disturbs one or more acres or increases impervious surface by ¼ acre or more, even if approval is not required by the Municipal Land Use Law (NJSA 40:55D-1 et seq).

If you have questions, email ANJEC at resourcecenter@anjec.org or call us at (973) 539-7547.


Stormwater Guidance Information from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)

NJDEP offers a wide range of information on dealing with stormwater at Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution, which provides a wealth of guidance information for municipalities to develop and implement the USEPA Phase II requirements.

ANJEC's Environmental and Land Use Ordinance section includes a summary of the NJDEP's model ordinances.


What Environmental Commissions Can Do
Many municipalities have not met New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regulation requirements that require adoption of stormwater management plans and ordinances.

Environmental commissions can help their municipalities implement the stormwater requirements.

  • Give your town reasons to take steps to clean up water pollution now;
  • Offer to fulfill the public education requirement, starting with available brochures and presentations
  • Provide stormwater management and stream buffer ordinances, available at Model Ordinances section
  • Borrow ANJEC's three-panel Stormwater Display by emailing or calling 973-539-7547 .
  • Use ANJEC Power Points that outline and summarize key stormwater elements and issues to help municipal boards and residents understand what the town needs to do. Available on Stormwater Management for Municipalities CD

Information Sources

Publications

Promotion Materials

  • Brochures
  • CD-ROM, Stormwater Management for Municipalities (available for $5.00 plus shipping) includes
    • Two full presentations (more than 90 Power Point slides) on stormwater management for developed and developing communities;
    • Sample fliers and background information to help municipalities and others conduct educational programs; and
    • A model Stormwater Management Plan that could be applied to both Tier A towns (those with at least 1,000 people per square mile and a population of at least 10,000) and Tier B towns (those with less than 1,000 people per square mile and a population less than 10,000) towns.
  • Display
    • Three-panel Stormwater Display available to borrow by emailing or calling 973-539-7547

Resource Center

  • Information and help available from ANJEC's Resource Center, email or call 973-539-7547.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Web Sites

6/08

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