Welcome to Skagit County

February 8th, 2008

SKAGIT COUNTY SEEKS CITIZEN INPUT ON DEVELOPMENT OF STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

SKAGIT COUNTY - Skagit County is requesting citizen input on the development of its Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). The SWMP is a set of actions and activities which will keep Skagit County in compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Phase II Stormwater Permit issued to the county last February.

The permit contains requirements for Public Education and Outreach, Public Involvement and Participation, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, Controlling Runoff from New Development, Redevelopment, and Construction, and Pollution Prevention and Operation and Maintenance for Municipal Operations. These requirements phase in over the next four years. The county is seeking public input on each of these aspects of the permit.

Stormwater runoff from streets, parking lots, construction, industrial properties, and residential areas is now recognized as one of the leading sources of pollution to our streams, lakes, and Puget Sound. The Phase II stormwater permit is designed to reduce the amount of stormwater pollution reaching our waters. Skagit County seeks public input to design a stormwater management program that meets the needs of our county.

For further information on Skagit County’s stormwater programs and to learn how you can provide input on the development of Skagit County’s SWMP, please visit www.skagitcounty.net/stormwater or contact Rick Haley, Skagit County Public Works, at 360-336-9400.