OLYMPIA - Pollution from stormwater runoff in Western and Eastern Washington is different, and the Department of Ecology (Ecology) has agreed to manage it differently by developing two manuals to help communities control stormwater.
Ecology had planned to adopt a technical stormwater manual in June 2000.
However, the new schedule is to adopt a manual in December 2000 for Western Washington. Then, Ecology plans to continue working with communities to complete a final stormwater manual for Eastern Washington by December 2002.
Stormwater is polluted runoff - the accumulation of dirt, bacteria, chemicals and other contaminants when it rains or snows. Snow and rain carry the contaminants into streams, lakes, estuaries and ground water and make the water unhealthy for drinking, swimming, boating and fish habitat.
"This new approach will give us time to work with local governments to develop and refine regional stormwater management practices for Eastern Washington," said Megan White, manager for Ecology's Water Quality Program.
For several years Ecology has worked with technical people from local, state and federal governments, businesses, environmental groups and other organizations to revise the manual. It is intended to provide guidance on how to best manage stormwater runoff.
Responding to concerns expressed by the public, Ecology's Stormwater Advisory Committee and some Eastern Washington government leaders, Ecology decided to develop tailored manuals for Eastern and Western Washington.
"We agree with what we heard from people," said White. "The environmental harm caused by stormwater runoff in the rainy, wet and populous western part of our state is very different from the more arid and rural areas in Eastern Washington."
In Western Washington it is primarily a surface water problem. In Eastern Washington it is primarily a ground-water problem, however, stormwater can also be a surface water problem in areas such as the Palouse with highly erosive soils.
White said that as growth occurs in Eastern Washington, communities need to keep stormwater runoff from contaminating ground water, which is the area's key source of drinking water.
In August, Ecology plans to ask for public comments on a final draft of the technical stormwater manual for Western Washington.
CONTACTS: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157, Pager (360) 534-8590
Tony Barrett, Stormwater Planner, (360) 407-6467
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