03-10-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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^ •• • REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION MAR 1 0 2003 <;i I T ur ORONO DATE: March 10,2003 ITEM NO.: / 0 Department Approval: Name Gregory A. Gappa Title Director of Public Services Administrator Reviewed: Agenda Section: Public Services Director’s Report Item Description: Request for Purchase of NPDES Stormwater Program Software Introduction Federal legislation in the Clean Water Act requires that all states implement a program to require a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for storm water discharges. The original NPDES program, which started in the 1960's in response to water pollution problems, required NPDES permits for all point source discharges such as industrial sites and waste w'ater treatment plants. After the point source water pollution problems were corrected, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to regulate non-point sources of water pollution caused by storm water runoff as storm water runoff is a significant source of water pollution. The responsibility for administration of this NPDES program was transferred to the states for permitting and administration. Phase I of the storm water program required permits for large cities. In Minnesota, the only two cities with a Phase I permit are Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Phase II regulations c.xpanded the permitting requirements to smaller cities. The medium size cities in greater Minnesota and all of the suburban cities in the metropolitan area are now required to have a NPDES Phase II Stomi Water Permit application submitted by May 9, 2003. ASSIST Software Ihis new stormwater permit has e.xtensive record keeping and annual reporting requirements associated with it. As part the League ol Minnesota Cities Guide Plan process for this permit, which Orono participated in. the League and numerous cities evaluated record keeping and reporting software packages to assist in meeting the permit conditions. The ASSIST software was the best choice with a lot of City interest in purchasing this product. If a minimum of 15 cities purcha.se the software, the vendor will provide a customized version of the software to the LMC Guide Plan, one year ot technical support and maintenance, tree training at the LMC offices, and an electronic reporting module for the submission of electronic annual reports to the MPCA. Electronic reporting has been discussed with the MPCA staff, and they are enthusiastic and willing to work with the League and sol'ware developer to develop an electronic reporting function.