Surface Water Management Division

Milestones in SWM History

1981

Storm and Surface Water Utility established by the County Council “to require the preparation and implementation of comprehensive drainage basin plans which respect and preserve the County’s water courses; minimize water quality degradation; control, accommodate, and discharge storm runoff; provide for groundwater recharge; control sediment; stabilize erosion; establish monitoring capability; and rehabilitate stream and drainage corridors for hydraulic, aesthetic, and fisheries preservation and enhancement reasons.”

1987

Federal Clean Water Act amendments require National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for Snohomish County. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations implementing the Act required that permittees:

• have adequate legal authority to control polluted discharges to the storm sewer system;

• identify pollution sources;

• perform field screening and water quality monitoring to characterize discharges;

• implement an on-going stormwater management program “to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.”  The program was required to include drainage system and roadway maintenance activities, controls on runoff from new developments, controls on runoff from construction sites, retrofitting of existing drainage facilities, public education to prevent nonpoint pollution, and a program to eliminate illicit discharges to the storm drainage system; and

• provide adequate staff and funding for these activities.

1988

State Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan required County to:

• develop and implement watershed management plans

• develop a comprehensive stormwater program which would include monitoring, operation and maintenance, runoff ordinances for new development, public education, and adequate funding

1990

Title 25 further clarified the Surface Water Management Division's purpose:  to preserve streams, lakes, and other waterbodies; protect water quality; control storm runoff; control sediment and erosion; conduct monitoring; rehabilitate stream corridors for hydraulics, aesthetics, and fisheries; and prepare and implement comprehensive watershed management plans.

1993

Stillaguamish Clean Water District established by County Council to "provide services to citizens who experience drainage problems, to restore the water quality of the Stillaguamish River and its tributaries, and to protect and restore vital fish habitat...”

The Council also declared its intent that the District would:

• construct drainage improvements for neighborhood flooding;

• construct capital improvements to restore or protect lives, property, and habitat;

• provide direct assistance to farms;

• develop a septic system loan program;

• establish a watershed steward;

• conduct watershed studies;

• monitor water quality; and

• provide technical assistance to property owners and education to adults and school children.

1995

Snohomish County’s NPDES permit issued by State; requirements included:  monitoring, illicit discharge control, storm and road system maintenance, runoff controls for new development, drainage facility retrofits, a public education program, legal authority, and adequate staff and funding

1999

Chinook salmon and bull trout listed as “threatened” under Endangered Species Act; County required to avoid actions that “take” threatened species

2000

County Council authorized Drainage Needs Report for urban areas; $14 million in bonds issued