Before you start clearing ground, develop a stormwater plan.

All stormwater plans in Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Chelan and Douglas County are required to comply with the following state design standards as well as any additional local requirements. Please note that stormwater design standards and underground injection control rules are changing. The table below notes important timelines for submitting new projects and the application rules.

*2019 UIC BMPs can be found in the 2019 SWMMEW

The most current version of the SWMMEW can be found here.

Emerging Technology & TAPE

Emerging stormwater treatment technologies are reviewed and certified by the Washington State Technology Assessment Protocol, better known as the TAPE Program.  The TAPE program evaluates new technologies to produce use-level designations and the approved technologies table. For more information about the TAPE program and approved technologies, click here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a complete stormwater submittal?

In general the following documents/reports should be included in a complete stormwater submittal:

1. Existing Conditions Evaluation
2. Geotechnical Site Characterization Report
3. Post-Construction Stormwater Plan (permanent stormwater BMPs)
4. Operation & Maintenance Plan & Agreement
5. Post-Development Downstream Analysis
6. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (temporary construction BMPs)

For more information on submittal requirements requirements, contact the appropriate jurisdiction that work will occur in.

2. What are Best Management Practices or BMPs?

Best Management Practices can be procedures or structures that prevent stormwater pollution.  BMPs used during construction are typically temporary.  Here are some examples of temporary construction BMPs:

• Preserve natural vegetation
• Install a construction entrance
• Clean up spills promptly
• Store materials on the project site

For more information on temporary and permanent best management practices, see Chapter 7 of the SWMMEW.

3. What if dirt is tracked off of my project site?

Dirt, concrete washout, and building materials when left in the road are considered to be illicit discharges under the stormwater regulations.  Keep everything on-site by implementing best management practices.

4. What happens if a best management practice doesn’t work?

 First, check to see if the best management practice is being used or maintained properly.   Next, consider if a different BMP would work better.  Then, take action.  What works for one site, may not be appropriate for all sites.  This is why it is important to have a plan of what BMPs you are going to use, and then be prepared to make adjustments if the BMPs don’t work.

5. I submitted a complete stormwater plan that has been approved by the County or City, but now my project has been delayed.  Is my stormwater plan vested?

 Under the Washington State Supreme Court ruling from 2016 (Snohomish County et al v. Pollution Control Hearings Board), the court concluded that local stormwater regulations are a result of federal and state mandate and therefore the vested rights doctrine does not apply as it would for development regulations.  Vesting for stormwater plans is set forth by Ecology under the current Eastern Washington Municipal Stormwater Permit.  While the rules are subject to change, the standard vesting for stormwater plans has been 5 years from the date of approval.  Changes to the project after approval may require portions of the project to meet the current stormwater standards.

Have more questions? Contact the jurisdiction in which your work will occur

Construction & Post-Construction Stormwater Resources

Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) Certification and Recertification Classes

The following companies offer CESCL classes, please check their websites for current schedules:

• Eco-3
• NWETC

Eastern Washington Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Field Guide

To request a hard copy of the Eastern Washington Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control  Field Guide, please contact Kelsey Grover at the City of Wenatchee.

City of Wenatchee

Kelsey Grover

(509) 888-3273

kgrover@wenatcheewa.gov

The Field Guide can also be downloaded here.

Attention Construction Site Operators, Contractors, and Business Owners: 

The WVSTAC has two videos on stormwater best management practices and pollution prevention.  If you are interested in viewing these videos, or if you would like to setup a training session for your crew, please contact Jennifer Lange at Douglas County.

Douglas County     

Jennifer Lange    

(509) 884-7173

jlange@co.douglas.wa.us

Construction and Post-Construction Links and Documents:

• Department of Ecology Construction Stormwater General Permit
• EPA Stormwater Pollution Prevention for Small Residential Construction Sites (pdf)
• Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan - A Guide For Construction Sites (pdf)
• Douglas County - Commercial_Stormwater System Maintenance Covenants (pdf)
• Douglas County - Plats & Subdivisions_Stormwater System Maintenance Covenants (pdf)

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