Clark County's newly adopted stormwater ordinance goes into effect on April 13, 2009. The ordinance was significantly revised following a thorough public involvement process. Changes affect stormwater management requirements for new structures, driveways and other hard surfaces, as well as land clearing or other land disturbing activities.

Also updated are Clark County's Stormwater Manual, Stormwater Facility Maintenance Manual, and Stormwater Pollution Control Manual - Best Management Practices for Businesses and Government Agencies

The regulations were changed to comply with the requirements of the county’s municipal stormwater permit, issued by the Washington Department of Ecology. The regulations also represent significant improvements in the way the county manages stormwater, including state-of-the-art techniques for removing pollutants and controlling the flow of runoff. Copies of the revised ordinances, manuals, and related materials are available online at www.clark.wa.gov/stormwater.

High Tide in Salmon Creek - A teachable moment

Clean Water Program staff periodically receives reports of foamy soap suds in local creeks which, if located, often turn out to be part of a natural decomposition process stirred up by stream currents. However, Public Works Operations crews were recently surprised to discover small mountains of foam floating from a stormwater discharge pipe into a small tributary of Salmon Creek. ,"It looked as if someone's washer had overflowed into the stream - bubbles were everywhere", said Cary Armstrong, an NPDES permit compliance specialist.

Armstrong tracked the source to a homeowner in a nearby neighborhood. When contacted, the homeowner said he had just sprinkled some Tide™ on his roof to control moss, a recommendation he had found on an internet site. The homeowner was mortified and apologetic when informed about the impacts to the nearby stream, stating he actually cared a great deal about the environment and keeping streams healthy. Not only will he be more thoughtful about what he does in the future, but he vowed to help educate his neighbors.

Clean Water Program and Consultant Receive Engineering Award

The Washington chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies recently presented an award to the Clean Water Program and their consultant, Herrera Environmental, at the 2009 Engineering Excellence Awards in Bellevue, Washington.

The project team created a unique computer tool for assessing streams and watersheds that efficiently stores, reports, and displays information about observed problems and potential opportunities.

Clean Water Program staff can use the information to scope potential stormwater capital projects or refer problems for follow-up activities, such as code enforcement or stormwater facility maintenance The tool has exceeded expectations for organizing and reviewing very large amounts of information for a variety of stormwater-related features and potential projects throughout Clark County.

SNAP - 2008 Reports available soon!

The Clean Water Program will publish its 2008 Stormwater Needs Assessment Program (SNAP) reports by April 30, 2009. The reports will be available on the Web at: http://www.clark.wa.gov/water-resources/snap.html

Ten SNAP reports will be available covering 22 watersheds in lower Burnt Bridge Creek, lower Salmon Creek, Cougar Creek, Vancouver Lake, and most of the East Fork Lewis River watershed.

The Stormwater Needs Assessment Program assesses and reports information about watershed resources, identifies problems and opportunities, and recommends specific actions to help protect water quality through stormwater management. Opportunities and actions may include potential stormwater capital and watershed improvement projects, program and policy recommendations, regulation and enforcement actions, stormwater facility maintenance requests, and public education and outreach opportunities.

The SNAP program will assess 12 watersheds in 2009, including areas in Lakeshore, middle and upper Salmon Creek, and Burnt Bridge Creek.

Small Acreage Expo - Saturday, April 18, 2009, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn earth-friendly ways to manage and enhance your rural property. Join us for workshops on installing portable fencing (hands-on), small engine repair, mud management, installing French drains, fertilization and lime application for pastures, natural insect control, stream side property management, a farm tour, and more! Sponsored by the Clean Water Program and WSU Clark County Extension. Register>>

Registration is free - Lunch available for $10. Register by April 15.
For more information call or Email:
erin.harwood@clark.wa.gov at (360) 397-6060 x 7720
Small Acreage Program>>

The Clark County Clean Water program recently launched the new Canines for Clean Water outreach campaign encouraging dog owners to "scoop the poop". Estimates indicate there are over 100,000 dogs in Clark County - that's a lot of poo potentially finding it's way to Clark County streams.

Dog owners can visit CleanWaterDogs.com to pledge to pick up after their dog and receive a free doggie bandanna.

In the four months since inception, 150 dog owners representing 174 dogs have pledged to pick up. That'sover 1,700 lbs of poo a month!

New! Check out posters and color pages you can download from CleanWaterDogs.com

Come learn how to save money and the environment by making your own cleaning products. Leave with a green cleaning kit to give away or keep for yourself!

When: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Location: CASEE Center, 11104 NE 149 Street, Brush Prairie

Cost: $15.00 paid-in-advance charge for supplies if you want to make a kit during the class.

PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: (360) 397-6060 ext. 0 or email jenifer.naas@clark.wa.gov for more information.

This free workshop provides tips, suggestions, and ideas on how to create a more sustainable small acreage property. Topics include managing roof runoff, composting, soil improvement, protecting streams and drinking water, along with other tips and tricks to reduce chore time and save you money.

When: Thursday May 7, 2009, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Location: Clark County Fire and Rescue, 600 NE 65th Ave., Ridgefield

Cost: Free
PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: (360) 397-6060 ext. 0 or email erin.harwood@clark.wa.gov for more information.

Own property with a well or septic system? These workshops focus on protecting wells and their water quality as well as properly maintaining septic systems to save money. Participants will receive helpful reference materials, while also learning how wells and septic systems work, tips on maintenance, and how to avoid costly repairs. Sponsored by WSU Clark County Extension and the Clean Water Program.

When: Thursday, May 14, 2009 (tentative)

Location: To be determined - call for info

Cost: Free
PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: (360) 397-6060 ext. 0 or email erin.harwood@clark.wa.gov for more information.

Build your very own RAIN BARREL with the WSU Extension Watershed Stewards. It's a great way to store water for those special plants or your vegetable garden and yet another way that you can protect your water resources.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009- 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
CASEE Center - 11104 NE 149 Street

Cost: PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED and $35 to cover materials
PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: (360) 397-6060 ext. 0 or email jenifer.naas@clark.wa.gov for more information.

Tour a Ridgefield model horse farm - see first hand earth friendly farm management practices you can use on your farm.

June: Date and details to be announced.

For more information call or Email:
Erin Harwood at (360) 397-6060 x 7720
erin.harwood@clark.wa.gov