Indiana Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management

Stormwater Committee

SWC ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The SWC drafted a position paper titled “Maintain Integrity Of, Improve and Enforce Indiana State Stormwater Quality General NPDES Permit Program”. The paper gave the background and overview of issues relating to maintaining the existing NPDES Stormwater General Permit program in Indiana since it represents a solid middle ground to processing regulatory permits. The SWC believes the general permit presents no difference when compared to an individual permit for protecting water quality in the end and avoids an unreasonable expectation of resources and level of activity. Another position paper will be completed during 2007.

Additional future activities will include working with IDEM and the INAFSM Board to address some needs. The SWC will investigate the potential role it can have to partner with IDEM in developing guidance tools and presenting training opportunities. Examples of this include developing an Annual Report Guidance/Fact Sheet clarifying what IDEM would like to see in an Annual Report, and presenting construction site inspector training.

WHY SHOULD MS4 COMMUNITIES JOIN THE INAFSM SWC?

Networking – experience the opportunity to interact and have discussions with staff that actually do MS4 program implementation as well as state and federal permitting authority staffs to find solutions to program implementation obstacles. The 2-hour meetings are structured to accommodate a particular topic of interest, allow the attendees enough time to have bring up any issues, and have an open, round table discussion with others, as well as, address the regular SWC business items.
Education and Training Needs – educational and training opportunities are provided and applicable for those with no stormwater experience and those with experience. An MS4 educational track was added to the agenda for the Annual INAFSM Conference.
Resource Sharing – members are given an opportunity to share information, other resources, and are kept informed and up to date on issues of interest. MS4 contact distribution lists and the “Stormwater Quality Corner” section in the quarterly INAFSM newsletter highlight MS4 program related information.
Professional Development – members are given opportunities to help them develop their stormwater management skills.
Program Perspective – members are presented with perspectives on a local, state, and national level to help gain an understanding of the “big picture”.
Speaking with One Voice – members are given an opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss, and communicate a uniform position on current concerns, local programs, and other issues impacting stormwater quality.
Actively Participating – members feel engaged by being asked to actively participate in INAFSM SWC organizational responsibilities.
Accessibility of Activities – the SWC has made provisions to bring the activities to various parts of your state by providing a teleconferencing option for all meetings.