FLOOD03407

• County: Statewide
• Community: State of Colorado
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Stormwater Management in the United States - A Study of Intsitutionl Problems, Solutions and Impacts
• Date: 9/1/1980
• Prepared By: Office of Water Research and Technology
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

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areas, it is the local government that best understands and is most responsive to
the needs, desires and requests of the local public. The degree of effectiveness
and sufficiency of stormwater management is dependent upon the collective attitude
and dedication of the local elected and appointed officials as well as the citizen
support given the local leaders. A qualified engineering staff is an important
asset for developing sound, progressive stormwater management programs and facili-
ties. Many small urban governments lack this professional staff expertise. How-
ever, because of the ready availability of private engineering consultants, good
stormwater programs can be developed and managed by retaining qualified consultants.

Authority and Involvement. Although the laws of most states authorize
local governments to provide surface drainage facilities and flood control works,
local governments are not required to do so. However, when a local government
chooses, as most do, to provide such systems, that government necessarily assumes
the obligations of operation and maintenance to protect the public health, safety
and welfare. Realistically, urban areas that have floodplains within their cor-
porate limits are forced into engaging in stormwater management--at least floodplain
management. This is a requirement of federal law in the United States that affects
any local government enrolled in the National Flood Insurance Program. With the
passage of the 1972 Amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (P.L. 92-
500), stormwater became recognized legally as a source of pollution of water bodies.
Under Section 208 of this law, the governor of each state must cause areawide waste-
water management plans to be developed for all large urban and metropolitan areas.
Because of this, local governments have become enmeshed in planning aspects of
stormwater management, along with the designated Section 208 study agencies.

Planning. Comprehensive plans are needed for developing effective and
economical urban stormwater facilities that will be acceptable to the local public
and produce minimal adverse impacts in downstream areas. Ideally, such plans should
address entire watersheds. Evaluation of alternatives should include recognition
of other urban and metropolitan needs such as transportation, water supply, sani-
tary sewage disposal, social needs (recreation, etc.) preservation of natural re-
sources and wildlife habitats, and others. Local government officials are better
informed than officials of other levels of government concerning planned urban
growth, community goals, life styles, and the financing programs that the local
public can be expected to support. Because of this, local governments are in the
best position to provide the comprehensive planning needed for stormwater management.
Unfortunately, most local governments have not responded well to meeting the need
for comprehensive watershed plans.

Financing. As urban areas grow, surface drainage systems are usually con-
structed and financed by land developers, using private funds. The costs of these
systems are ultimately borne by the developers or the purchasers of the improved
properties. Because land developments do not ordinarily evolve sequentially through-
out a watershed in accordance with preconceived comprehensive plans, storm sewer
systems must often be built through areas that are not yet developed, but which
must be served in future years. Drainage systems must often be provided that will
serve several independent land developments. Facilities involved include stormwater
detention reservoirs, large trunk sewers, open channels extending to outfall points,
large culverts, and bridges over channels and receiving streams.

It is usually too complicated for land developers to finance and construct such
facilities without intervention and assistance by a public body. The local govern-
ment is in the best position to handle the design, construction and financing, and

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