Public invited to participate in King County’s Stormwater Management Program planning

Feb. 27 public meeting provides chance to study, comment on new program

King County residents can provide feedback on local stormwater management practices and learn more about planned updates to the county's stormwater management program at a public meeting set for Feb. 27 in Renton. The gathering is part of King County's ongoing commitment to protect public health and improve environmental conditions in Puget Sound and elsewhere.

Attendees will be able to review and discuss a draft of the new stormwater management program, prepared by King County in response to the 2007 Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology).

The meeting is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the King County Department of Development and Environmental Services office in Renton, 900 Oakesdale Ave. SW. Interested citizens can ask questions of the stormwater management experts, learn more about stormwater management in King County, and provide feedback on the new program.

The county's draft Stormwater Management Program, Ecology's permit and other materials are available for public review online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/WLR/stormwaterprogram.aspx. The public comment period runs through March 5.

Ecology has identified stormwater as a significant contributor to reduced water quality in Puget Sound, which is targeted for cleanup by a new state agency, the Puget Sound Partnership.

As part of the clean-up strategy for Puget Sound, Ecology used its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting authority to issue strict new stormwater permits to municipalities. King County is developing a stormwater management program to meet these requirements. The program will be reviewed and updated annually, providing the public with an ongoing opportunity to help shape the program's development and implementation.

For more information and to review the draft Stormwater Management Program, visit the King County Stormwater Management Web site at www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/stormwater/. Members of the public can provide comment on the program at the public meeting, via the Web site, via e-mail at stormwater@kingcounty.gov, or through the U.S. mail by sending comments to the Stormwater Management Team, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98104.