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Moving closer to creating a fishable and swimmable harbor: Baltimore’s MS4 Permit

MS4 Permit - The primary cause of water pollution in Baltimore is contaminated stormwater runoff (the only major source of pollution that is growing in the Chesapeake Bay). This is caused by:

45% of Baltimore is impervious surfaces
Much of the stormdrain infrastructure is 100+ years old
Trash, litter, and pet waste problems
Also, Baltimore has a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), which means that stormwater runoff is discharged directly into local streams and the harbor. Because of this, the Maryland Department of the Environment requires that Baltimore have an MS4 permit.

Overview
On December 27, 2013, The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) reissued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit to the City of Baltimore. This permit lasts for 5 years and covers stormwater discharges from the municipal separate storm sewer system owned or operated by Baltimore City.

In order to reduce contaminated stormwater runoff and improve water quality, Baltimore’s MS4 permit requires that the City develop a watershed implementation plan (WIP) by the end of 2014 to restore 20% of the City’s impervious surface area. Twenty percent restoration represents approximately 4,000 acres – the equivalent of 3,000 footballs fields or 1,9000 rowhouse blocks.

Meeting the MS4 restoration goal will also help us meet Baltimore’s pollution and trash TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) – these are the targets for reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, bacteria, and other substances that are polluting our streams and harbor.

How do we do this?
Reducing polluted runoff, and meeting the MS4 and TMDL goals, will be accomplished through a comprehensive approach that includes:

Restoring streams
Installing “green” stormwater management facilities like bio-retention and rain gardens
Planting trees
Removing impervious surfaces and replacing with these with green spaces
Inspecting and eliminating illicit discharges into the storm sewer system
Increasing plans review and permits
Upgrading and replacing pipes and conduits
Reducing trash and litter with street sweeping, debris interceptors and other collection methods
Practicing proper lawn care and vehicle maintenance
Educating the public about what they can do to reduce polluted runoff

In 2014 the Department of Public Works (DPW) will be preparing a restoration plan for implementing the various methods listed above, including costs, funding, timeline, and locations. The restoration plan will be developed in an open process with multiple stakeholders. Four public meetings will be held in the summer of 2014, as well as meetings with individual stakeholders and partner organizations.

Click here for MS4 meetings
Who will be involved?
While the Environmental Compliance and Laboratory Services Division of DPW will be the lead in developing the MS4 restoration plan, city agencies, environmental non-profits, businesses, and community members all play a role in reducing polluted stormwater.

The following are potential projects and programs that will help us reach our restoration goal:

	Planting trees that create greener and cooler neighborhoods.
	Sweeping streets at least once a week to create cleaner neighborhoods and less trash.
	Creating stormwater ponds and wetlands that become new community amenities and redevelopment opportunities.
	Installing rain gardens and bio-retention planters that create greener and more beautiful streets, parks, businesses, and homes.
	Replacing pavement with green spaces at schools, resulting in new play areas for students and teachers.
	Restoring local streams to reduce flooding and erosion and improve water quality and habitat.
	Creating new community green spaces from previously vacant lots.
	Installing hundreds of storm drain inlet screens and debris collectors to stop trash from entering into streams and the harbor.

MS4 Restoration Plan Schedule 2014
Four public meetings will be held throughout the summer to share information and solicit ideas and input from people as to how we achieve our goal. The meetings are progressive in nature, meaning that they will build on the previous meeting and introduce new topics and information.
Meeting #1: Introduction

Provide a broad overview of the MS4 Permit, introduce the 6 principles of practical watershed planning that will guide the development of the WIP, and solicit feedback and comments from stakeholders
Meeting #2: Initial Goals and Recommendations
Present the initial recommendations made at meeting #1 and partner meetings, review preliminary projects and programs, and discuss social and economic benefits of restoration practices

Meeting #3: Project Prioritization / Preliminary Costs

Provide an update on projects and programs, preliminary costs, funding and partnerships, and prioritization factors (environmental, social, economic) for decision-making

Meeting #4: Maintenance/Contingency Plans

Discussion of maintenance options, programs, and costs/funding, contingency plans for adaptive management, and updated maps and tables.

A draft plan will be completed in October for review, with the final draft available in November.

May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
Inventory/ Scheduling	Public Planning Process				Draft Restoration Plan completed	Public notice + comment period	Submit plan to MDE
Targeted stakeholder meetings					Review by agencies / other City officials	Comment by agencies / other City officials
Initial meetings with Agencies	Meetings with agencies (as needed format TBD)
	Public stakeholder meeting #1 (introduction)	Public stakeholder meeting #2 (30%)	Public stakeholder meeting #3 (60%)	Public stakeholder meeting #4 (90%)
Discussion with agencies role in MS4 Identify info needs and timeline	Overview of the MS4 permit Presentation of topic areas and future mtgs Here is what we need to do: Work to date (CIP projects, other)	Initial recomm’s Preliminary projects and programs Social / economic benefits	Revised recomm’s Updated maps of projects and programs Incorporation of various agency CIP projects (DOT, Schools, etc)	Plan outline w/ updated maps projects, and programs Maintenance options Contingency plans – milestones for adaptive management	Provide briefings to Division Chiefs, Bureau Heads, Directors, Mayor, City Council, Finance, Planning Commission, and / or Sustainability Commission.	Receive comments Finalize formatting, maps, and tables	Incorporate comments Get final approval DPW and submit to MDE

Click here for MS4 Meetings, Information and Annual Reports

For additional information, questions, or comments, please contact: publicworks@cleanwaterbaltimore.org – subject “MS4 Plan”
or call 410-396-0732