City seeks input on stormwater pollution plan.

Byline: Jack Moran The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - It's almost too easy, but Chuck Gottfried goes for it anyway, saying the city's work to obtain a stormwater discharge permit has "been in the pipeline" for quite some time.

Gottfried, Springfield's environmental services supervisor, has spent much of the past six years preparing for the day when the city gains approval of a plan that shows it is serious about reducing stormwater pollution in area waterways - including the Willamette and McKenzie rivers.

The discharge permit, issued by the state Department of Environmental Quality under provisions of the federal Clean Water Act, is expected to be awarded to Springfield officials in early 2007. But before that happens, local residents will have an opportunity to comment on the city's plan during a public hearing set for Jan. 9.

The hearing also will address Lane County's permit application for populated areas inside the urban-growth boundary surrounding Eugene and Springfield, including sections of Glenwood and Santa Clara, county project manager Mike Russell said.

Both Springfield and the county manage drainage systems that carry runoff to rivers and tributary streams. Those waterways have become muddied over time, in part because of polluted stormwater.

Under federal rules approved in 1999, the city and county are required to offer public education on stormwater impacts; encourage public involvement in creating a runoff management plan; establish strategies for detecting and eliminating illicit discharges; develop an erosion control plan for construction activities; and reduce polluted runoff from government operations.

Springfield and the county would obtain permits after their plans are checked for compliance with requirements of the second phase of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program.

Eugene obtained its stormwater discharge permit in 1995 under the program's initial phase, which covered cities with at least 100,000 people, DEQ spokeswoman Jennifer Boudin said.

Eugene and Springfield both depend on user fees to fund operation of their stormwater management programs. The owner of a typical single-family home in Springfield pays a stormwater fee of $8.63 per month. The typical Eugene homeowner pays $8.69 per month.

RUNOFF COMMENT The state Department of Environmental Quality is hosting an informational meeting and public hearing where local residents can comment on proposed stormwater-discharge permits filed by the city of Springfield and Lane County. When: Tuesday, Jan. 9. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., with public hearing to follow at 7 p.m. Where: Library Meeting Room inside Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St.