In this issue:
Stormwater Management Plan Updated
Stormwater Manual and Code Update
Clark County
Clean Water Program
1300 Franklin Street
PO Box 9810
Vancouver, Washington 98660-9810
(360) 397-2121 ext. 4345
Email the Clark County
Clean Water Program
New! Rain Barrel Videos
Summer gardens are almost here! Conserve water with a rain barrel!
If you can't attend a rain barrel workshop, watch the Watershed Stewards' new videos about how to build and install your own rain barrel>>
Stormwater Management Plan update complete
The updated Clark County Stormwater Management Plan 2010 (PDF) was certified by the Board of Clark County Commissioners on March 30, 2010 and submitted to the Department of Ecology.
This comprehensive and user friendly reference describes Clark County’s stormwater management activities and the various ways the county manages stormwater and related water quality issues in the unincorporated area. The plan is a resource for the public to learn about the county's efforts to control and cleanse stormwater, an informative guide for staff, and a compliance measure for the county's municipal stormwater permit issued by Department of Ecology.
The management plan is updated annually and the public is invited to send comments at any time to Rod Swanson by email at rod.swanson@clark.wa.gov or call (360) 397-2121, ext, 4581.
Stormwater Manual and Code update
As part of the biennial code update, Clark County adopted changes to Clark County Code Chapter 40.385, Stormwater and Erosion Control, and the Clark County Stormwater Manual in December 2009.
The updates are in compliance with the county’s NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permit from the Washington Department of Ecology.
Changes include:
rule applicability on rural properties
exemptions from some requirements
Final Technical Information Report requirements
Appendix C, standard covenants
A packet of replacement pages for those who wish to avoid printing an entirely new manual is available on the Web along with the complete November 2009 Clark County Stormwater Manual.
County, cities launch cooperative stormwater education effort
Clark County and six cities will work together to provide neighborhoods and businesses with technical information and guidance to maintain private stormwater facilities and protect our streams. The program will be paid for primarily through a $237,967 Washington Department of Ecology grant. The county, along with the cities of Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver and Washougal, also will encourage the use of best management practices to prevent stormwater pollution, such as installing rain gardens and reducing fertilizer and pesticide use. |
Stormwater facilities need regular maintenance to function properly. |
The focus could vary slightly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, depending on specific community needs. In many areas, the emphasis will be on helping neighborhoods and businesses meet their legal maintenance responsibilities through an approach that favors education and cooperation over enforcement and regulation. The educational efforts will build on local governments’ increased emphasis on controlling and treating stormwater before it reaches waterways. By working together, the county and six cities will increase the program’s overall effectiveness. The project hopes to reach home and business owners, property managers, landscaping professionals, developers and real estate agents. Outreach efforts may include workshops, brochures, videos, and a Web site. Public workshops are expected to start in late summer or early fall. The overall project will run through June 2011. For more information, contact Cindy Stienbarger at cindy.stienbarger@clark.wa.gov or call (360) 397-2121, ext 4584 |
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2009 SNAP reports complete
The 2009 Stormwater Needs Assessment Program (SNAP) reports are available on the Web at: www.clark.wa.gov/water-resources/snap.html
Six SNAP reports are available covering 11 subwatersheds: Flume Creek, Lakeshore, Upper and Middle Burnt Bridge Creek, Rock Creek, Morgan Creek, Woodin Creek, and four sections of Salmon Creek.
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.
SNAP reports from 2007 and 2008 are also available on the Web at www.clark.wa.gov/water-resources/snap
Successful Small Acreage Expo Attracts a Crowd
On Saturday, April 17th, 150 small acreage property owners gathered at a Brush Prairie farm to learn earth-friendly ways to manage and enhance their rural property.
Workshops included mud management, use of French drains, fertilization and lime application for pastures, natural insect control, stream side property management, a farm tour, small engine repair,and more. The event was sponsored by the Clean Water Program and WSU Clark County Extension.
For more information on the Small Acreage Program and upcoming workshops and tours, call or Email:
erin.harwood@clark.wa.gov at (360) 397-6060 x 7720
Small Acreage Program>>
Opportunities to learn....
The Clean Water Program partners with WSU Clark County Extension to offer community workshops. Call WSU Clark County Extension at (360) 397-6118 ext. 0 to REGISTER (and PRE-PAY if a cost involved). Workshops fill up quickly so don’t delay!
| Wells and Septic Maintenance Workshops | |
Own property with a well or septic system? This workshop focuses 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. Free well testing for bacteria is offered to workshop participants (sample in advance). This workshop will be offered again in November, location to be announced. When: Location: Cost: Free PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: (360) 397-6060 ext. 0 or email erin.harwood@clark.wa.gov for more information. |
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| Recycle the Rain - Build a Rain Barrel | |
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. Two workshop days to choose from. When: Thursday, May 6 or Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Time: 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Location: CASEE Center - 11104 NE 149 Street Cost: $35 for materials PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED: (360) 397-6060 ext. 0 or email jenifer.naas@clark.wa.gov for more information. |
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| Model Farm Tour | |
Tour of Conway Family Farms in Camas. This market farm raises goats, sheep, honeybees, blueberries, and lavender. Come see first hand earth friendly farm management practices you can use on your farm. When: June 12, 2010, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Cost: free To register and directions, call or Email: |
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| Pasture Management Workshop | |
Learn how to manage your pasture for maximum production while protecting local streams. Note - A fencing and off-channel watering workshop will also be offered July 31 at this location. When: June 26, 2010, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Location: Zumstien Family Farm, Woodland Cost: free To register and directions, call or Email: |
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Clean Water Program
Established in 2000, the Clean Water Program helps improve water quality in Clark County through education, storm sewer cleaning and maintenance, pollutant source screening, stormwater facility upgrades, stream habitat restoration projects and development and enforcement of improved stormwater regulations.