Our city government has reaffirmed the need to plan for and not just react to storm water problems in our community.
The Tucson Stormwater Management Study (TSMS) began in 1988 with Phase I to develop a comprehensive storm water management program for the Tucson metropolitan area.
The Stormwater Master Plan is the main product of Phase II of the TSMS. The master plan is a comprehensive, long-term framework for managing the city's storm water system. It focuses on approaches and techniques that address both storm water quantity and quality.
By taking a "system", or watershed, approach, the city's reliance on structural storm water control solutions can be minimized - and preservation and enhancement of natural water courses can be maximized.
Once the master plan is completed, we'll have a complete inventory of the city's drainage system, a recommended, up-to-date maintenance program and a list of major areas requiring drainage improvements.
Storm water facility alternatives will be developed and evaluated, and recommended plans will be proposed for adoption by mayor and council. Public comment is being sought on key proposals for storm water control actions and priorities in the Stormwater Master Plan.
Phase III of the TSMS will spell out how storm water management will be implemented in the City of Tucson - who will have overall responsibility within the city and how the work will be carried out.
Phase IV consists of implementation, or "getting the job done."
The challenge is clear. We need to strike a balance between solving storm water problems, and preserving and enhancing the natural environment.
If you want to be part of the dialog and help influence how the City's Stormwater Master Plan is implemented, we need to hear from you.
For notices of public meetings and other participation activities, contact Freda Johnson of Rillito Consulting Group at 622-1933.
Other questions should be directed to Jim Glock of the City of Tucson Transportation at 791-4372.
Next, all this information was used to evaluate alternative drainage and storm water management options. For every watershed in the city, a recommendation has been made as to the storm water management approach that is best fitted to present and known future conditions.
Part of the Stormwater Master Plan effort includes evaluation of measures to address storm water pollution problems, particularly measures that could be incorporated into a storm water management solution.
Cost effective and systematic watershed approaches to storm water management are key features of Phase II of the TSMS.
The idea is to avoid crisis management and to plan ahead with a "blueprint" for storm water management and pollution prevention.
Products of the Stormwater Master Plan include technical information about the city's drainage system, such as the sizes and locations of water courses and storm drains.
It also contains other important information collected as a part of the TSMS, such as an inventory of archaeological features known to occur along the city's water courses. Different classifications of riparian vegetation have been established to pinpoint where and to what extent valuable wildlife habitat exists along our water courses.
Four approaches to storm water management.
A Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) and a TSMS Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) have been formed by the City of Tucson.
They have monitored work done on the NPDES Part 2 Permit Application and have played a key role as the TSMS Stormwater Master Plan has been developed.
STAC has 13 members with professional experience and expertise in storm water quality and quantity issues. These experts provide advice directly to mayor and council, who appointed them in March '92.
CAC has focused on the general TSMS program since Phase I began in '88. Currently, nine members fill specific positions representing environmental, neighborhood and business/development interests.
The technical committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. The citizens committe meets on the fourth Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Both groups meet in the basement at 201 N. Stone Ave. Meetings are open to the public.
Objectives of the NPDES Permitting Program are to eliminate contaminated discharges from storm drains that are not caused by rainfall and reduce pollutants that intermingle with rainfall runoff.
The permit will show what we're already doing to eliminate pollutants from storm water runoff. It will recommend a number of ways that the community can reduce storm water pollution, measur how we're doing and establish laws to stop significant polluters.
Much is being done in the city to maintain our roadways and storm water systems. There are some effective programs to control use of herbicides or pesticides, prevent spills and identify improper disposal of pollutants.
Return to the Storm Water Resource Center