Kirkland Neighborhood News: Public comments wanted on Kirkland’s Stormwater Management Program by March 15

Monday, March 4, 2013

City of Kirkland
NEWS RELEASE
123 – Fifth Avenue
Kirkland, WA 98033
www.kirklandwa.gov
www.twitter.com/KirklandEnviro    

Contact: Jenny Gaus
Department:  Public Works
Email:  jgaus@kirklandwa.gov
425-587-3850

March 4, 2013

Public comments wanted on Kirkland’s Stormwater Management Program by March 15

KIRKLAND, Wash – Kirkland residents are invited to provide comments by March 15, 2013 on the 2013 Stormwater Management Program. This program identifies the City’s strategies to engage and educate the public about stormwater management, prevent spills and dumping into the stormwater system, and require development projects to control and treat runoff.  Stormwater has been identified as a significant pollutant source, and these efforts are designed to improve the quality of water in lakes and streams.  The draft document is available online at www.kirklandwa.gov (search: 2013 Draft Stormwater Plan) at the Kirkland City Hall reference desk, or by calling (425) 587-3800.  Comments can be provided via e-mail to jgaus@kirklandwa.gov or via mail addressed to the City of Kirkland Public Works Department, 123 Fifth Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033.

This program is part of the City’s compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) municipal stormwater permit that was issued by Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) in 2007.  As part of its cleanup strategy for Puget Sound, Ecology has used its NPDES permitting authority to issue stormwater discharge permits to over 100 municipalities in Western Washington.  Kirkland developed the stormwater management program to meet permit requirements. 

Stormwater pollution results from everyday activities such as driving, land development, and even yard care.  Cleaning up stormwater will involve both reducing the amount of pollution that we put onto the landscape (source control), and removing contaminants from runoff before it reaches local waters (treatment).  For more information about the City’s Storm and Surface Water Management Programs, search “surface water” at www.kirklandwa.gov or contact Jenny Gaus, Kirkland Public Works Department, at 425-587-3850 or jgaus@kirklandwa.gov.  To learn more about the State Department of Ecology stormwater permit, search “Phase II Western WA Stormwater Permit” at www.ecy.wa.gov.