City of Anchorage
The City of Anchorage has enacted a Stormwater Ordinance in order to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing in watersheds within this jurisdiction. The City of Anchorage is the permitting authority for all land disturbing activities and requires the land owner to maintain all on-site stormwater control facilities and all open space areas (e.g. parks or “green” areas) required by the approved stormwater control plan. The City of Anchorage will only provide construction permits to projects that establish a plan to manage stormwater runoff occurring during the construction process. The City of Anchorage, under the NPDES program, also has the authority to inspect properties for noncompliance and can issue a notice of violation (NOV) for any deficiency or infraction onsite. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of any stormwater facilities or practices located on the property. The City of Anchorage has the authority to inspect stormwater facilities and practices in order to ascertain that they are properly maintained and functioning.
1. Introduction
MOA regulations regarding storm water pollution control are set forth in the Anchorage Municipal Code (AMC) Title 21. The AMC requires the development, implementation, and maintenance of a Storm Water Treatment Plan Review Guidance Manual (SWTPRGM). The AMC further requires anyone who constructs, installs, modifies, or operates a storm water treatment or disposal system to comply with the SWTPRGM regarding storm water runoff system plan requirements and plan reviews.
Developers of both new and redeveloped sites are required to prepare and submit a Storm Water Treatment Plan (SWTP) to the MOA for review and approval prior to the start of construction. This requirement applies to anyone who will disturb the ground or discharge or route storm water within municipal boundaries.
2. State Regulations
2.3.3 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit
The MOA and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) are co-permittees under an MS4 permit issued by the EPA and now administered by ADEC. The MS4 permit allows the MOA and ADOT&PF, as operators of a MS4, to discharge storm water meeting specified requirements into waters of the United States. The MS4 permit requirements are implemented through the Storm Water Management Program and include a program substantially similar to the CGP program discussed above.
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In compliance with the MS4 permit, the MOA developed the SWTP program and associated guidances describing MOA storm water treatment requirements, reviews, and inspections. The SWTP program is the basis for this guidance document, which will continue to be updated periodically as EPA and ADEC regulations change or as the MOA revises its program. The MOA SWTP review requirements outlined in this manual apply to all land areas and land disturbances within the corporate limits of the MOA and / or served by the MS4, and refer to those portions of the MS4 that are owned and operated by the MOA or ADOT&PF, and that discharge to receiving waters.
3. SWTP Requirements Overview
Storm water treatment plan approval is required under AMC 21 prior to the commencement of land clearing or ground disturbing activities; the discharge of surface water (including meltwater from snow disposal sites); the construction, alteration, installation, modification, or operation of a storm water treatment or disposal system; demolition or utility work; connection to the municipal storm sewer system; work in waterways or watercourse; or dewatering activities. All construction, development, and maintenance activities shall be in accordance with the approved Storm Water Treatment Plan. The Storm Water Treatment Plan is a comprehensive report containing all of the technical information and analysis necessary for regulatory agencies to evaluate proposed BMPs and determine if minimum requirements will be met. Contents of the plan vary with the size of the parcel, size and type of proposed development, individual site characteristics, and activities and land use associated with the site.
Supplemental Documents:
Anchorage stormwater website
Watershed Management Services Utility Permit
State of Alaska Documents:
APDES Stormwater Website
Alaska Storm Water Guide
