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1. What is the stormwater fee?

Two dollars ($2.00) per month per individual water meter per single-family residential structure up to one (1) ESU for the real property upon which the structure is situated. An additional two dollars ($2.00) fee shall be billed for any portion of the next whole ESU for the affected property.

In the event a residential structure contains more than one (1) residential dwelling place, then two dollars ($2.00) per month per individual water meter per residential structure, up to one ESU. An additional two dollars ($2.00) fee shall be billed for any portion of the next whole ESU for the affected property.

Two dollars ($2.00) per month for each industrial property structure and for each commercial property structure, up to one (1) ESU. An additional two dollars ($2.00) fee shall be billed for any portion of the next whole ESU for each such structure.

ESU means equivalency service unit. An ESU is forty-three thousand five hundred sixty (43,560) square feet, or one (1) acre, of impervious surface.

2. Why are we being charged for stormwater?

During wet-weather events, impervious areas on developed land generate polluted runoff, and local governments need to spend money to clean it up. A property owner pays a water bill that covers municipal costs to provide potable water, including the costs of building out and maintaining underground infrastructure. Similarly, private property owners must also contribute to the cost of managing the pollution and flood risk created by the impervious areas they own.

In order to provide revenue to fund the costs associated with a stormwater management program, there is hereby established a stormwater management fee. All revenues collected from the stormwater management fee shall be deposited to the stormwater management fund. In 1991, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed regulations to help curb pollution from stormwater runoff. Contamination can result from exposure of materials such as chemicals, dirt, debris, fuels, raw materials, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal wastes. Under this regulation, municipalities and "urbanized areas" of less than 100,000 in population were regulated by what is called the Phase II Stormwater Program. This permit (the second permit was finalized in November of 2015) requires the development and implementation of educational. operating and maintenance of a program to control stormwater pollution through: 1. Public Education and Outreach: 2. Public Participation and Involvement; 3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination; 4. Construction Site Run-Off Control 5. Post-Construction Management; and 6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations. The requirements of the Phase II Stormwater Management Program is federally and state mandated but not funded. The Stormwater Utility Fee was implemented to covers our requirements.

3. How do I get an item that has fallen into a storm inlet retrieved?

Call 918-542-6685 and request a storm inlet be removed to retrieve your item (state what has fallen into the inlet.) Provide closest intersections and /or address if possible, as well as your name and a number you can be contacted at.

4. Who replaces storm drain manhole covers/lids?

Damaged or missing manhole covers may be replaced by Street Department or Wastewater Collection crews. The location should be reported to the dispatch office at 918-542-6685 so it can be investigated and barricaded if necessary.

5. Can I get definitions to some Stormwater Acronyms and frequently used Stormwater Phrases?

Best Management Practices (BMPs) means schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of waters of the State. BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage. Construction Site Operator means the party or parties that meet one or more of the following descriptions: (1) Has operational control over construction plans and specifications, including the ability to make modifications to those plans and specifications or; (2) Has day-to-day operational control of those activities at a project that are necessary to ensure compliance with a StormWater Pollution Prevention Plan for the site or other permit conditions (e.g., they are authorized to direct workers at a site to carry out activities required by the SWP3 or comply with other permit conditions). Control Measure as used in this permit, refers to any Best Management Practice or other method used to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants to waters of the State. CWA or The Act means the Clean Water Act (formerly referred to as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972) Pub.L. 92-500, as amended Pub. L. 95-217, Pub. L. 95-576, Pub. L. 96-483 and Pub. L. 97-117, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et.seq. Director means the Executive Director or chief administrator of the Department of Environmental Quality or an authorized representative. Discharge, when used without a qualifier, refers to “discharge of a pollutant” as defined at 40 CFR §122.2. Discharge of a pollutant-any addition of any “pollutant” or combination of pollutants to “waters of the United States” from any “point source,” or any addition of any pollutant or combination of pollutants to the waters of the “contiguous zone” or the ocean from any point source other than a vessel or other floating craft which is being used as a means of transportation. This includes additions of pollutants into waters of the United States from: surface runoff which is collected or channeled by man; discharges through pipes, sewers, or other conveyances, leading into privately owned treatment works. Discharge-related activities-activities which cause, contribute to, or result in stormwater and allowable non-stormwater point source discharges, and measures such as the siting, construction and operation of BMPs to control, reduce, or prevent pollution in the discharges. Existing Discharger–an operator applying for coverage under this permit for discharges covered previously under an NPDES general or individual permit. Facility or Activity-any NPDES “point source” or any other facility or activity (including land or appurtenances thereto) that is subject to regulation under the NPDES program. Federal Facility–Any buildings, installations, structures, land, public works, equipment, aircraft, vessels, and other vehicles and property, owned by, or constructed or manufactured for the purpose of leasing to, the federal government. Illicit Connection means any man-made conveyance connecting an illicit discharge directly to a municipal separate storm sewer. Illicit Discharge is defined at 40 CFR §122.26(b)(2) and refers to any discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer that is not entirely composed of storm water, except discharges authorized under an OPDES or NPDES permit (other than the OPDES permit for discharges from the MS4) and discharges resulting from fire fighting activities. Impaired Water–A water is impaired if it does not meet one or more of its designated use(s). For purposes of this permit, ‘impaired’ refers to categories 4 and 5 of the five part categorization approach used for classifying the water quality standards attainment status for water segments under the TMDL program. Impaired waters compilations are also sometimes referred to as “303(d) lists”. Category 5 waters are impaired because at least one designated use is not being supported or is threatened and a TMDL is needed. Category 4 waters indicate that at least one designated use is not being supported but a TMDL is not needed (4a indicates that a TMDL has been approved or established by EPA; 4b indicates other required control measures are expected in result in the attainment of water quality standards in a reasonable period of time; and 4c indicates that the non-attainment of the water quality standard is the result of pollution (e.g. habitat) and is not caused by a pollutant. See USEPA’s 2006 Integrated Report Guidance, July 29, 2005 for more detail on the five part categorization of waters [under EPA National TMDL Guidance http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/policy.html]). Industrial Activity-the 10 categories of industrial activities included in the definition of “stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity”, as defined in CFR §122.26(b)(14)(i)-(ix) and (xi). Industrial Stormwater- stormwater runoff associated with the definition of “stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity.” Junction Manhole-For the purposes of this permit, a junction manhole is a manhole or structure with two or more inlets accepting flow from two or more MS4 alignments. Manholes with inlets solely from private storm drains, individual catch basins, or both are not considered junction manholes for these purposes. Key Junction Manhole-For the purposes of this part, key junction manholes are those junction manholes that can represent one or more junction manholes without compromising adequate implementation of the illicit discharge program. Adequate implementation of the illicit discharge program would not be compromised if the exclusion of a particular junction manhole as a key junction manhole would not affect the permittee’s ability to determine the possible presence of an upstream illicit discharge. A permittee may exclude a junction manhole located upstream from another located in the immediate vicinity or that is serving a drainage alignment with no potential for illicit connections. MEP is an acronym for "Maximum Extent Practicable," the technology-based discharge standard for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems to reduce pollutants in storm water discharges that was established by CWA §402(p). A discussion of MEP as it applies to MS4s is found at 40 CFR § 122.34. MS4 is an acronym for "Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System" and is used to refer to either a Large, Medium, or Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. The term is used to refer to either the system operated by a single entity or a group of systems within an area that are operated by multiple entities (e.g., the Oklahoma City MS4 includes MS4s operated by Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and others). Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System is defined at 40 CFR § 122.26(b)(8) and means a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains): (i) Owned or operated by a state, city, town, borough, county, parish, district, association, or other public body (created by or pursuant to State law) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, stormwater, or other wastes, including special districts under State law such as a sewer district, flood control district or drainage district, or similar entity, or an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribal organization, or a designated and approved management agency under section 208 of the CWA that discharges to waters of the United States; (ii) Designed or used for collecting or conveying storm water; (iii) Which is not a combined sewer; and (iv) Which is not part of a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) as defined at 40 CFR §122.2. New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)–Technology-based standards for facilities that qualify as new sources under 40 CFR 122.2 and 40 CFR 122.29. No exposure-all industrial materials or activities are protected by a storm-resistant shelter to prevent exposure to rain, snow, snowmelt, and/or runoff. NOI is an acronym for “Notice of Intent” to be covered by this permit and is the mechanism used to “register” for coverage under a general permit. Owner or operator-the owner or operator of any “facility or activity” subject to regulation under the NPDES program. Person-an individual, association, partnership, corporation, municipality, State or Federal agency, or an agent or employee thereof. Point source-any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, landfill leachate collection system, vessel, or other floating craft from which pollutants are or may be discharged. This term does not include return flows from irrigated agriculture or agricultural stormwater runoff. Pollutant-dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, filter backwash, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, and industrial, municipal and agricultural waste discharged into water. Pollutant of concern–A pollutant which causes or contributes to a violation of a water quality standard, including a pollutant which is identified as causing an impairment in a State's 303(d) list. Reportable Quantity Release–a release of a hazardous substance at or above the established legal threshold that requires emergency notification. Refer to 40 CFR Parts 110, 177, and 302 for complete definitions and reportable quantities for which notification is required. Runoff coefficient-the fraction of total rainfall that will appear at the conveyance as runoff. Significant materials-includes, but is not limited to: raw materials; fuels; materials such as solvents, detergents, and plastic pellets; finished materials such as metallic products; raw materials used in food processing or production; hazardous substances designated under section 101(14) of CERCLA; any chemical the facility is required to report pursuant to section 313 of Title III of SARA; fertilizers; pesticides; and waste products such as ashes, slag and sludge that have the potential to be released with stormwater discharges. Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System is defined at 40 CFR §122.26(b)(16) and refers to all separate storm sewers that are owned or operated by the United States, a state, city, town, county, district, association, or other public body (created by or pursuant to State law) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, storm water, or other wastes,including special districts under State law such as a sewer district, flood control district or drainage district, or similar entity, or a designated and approved management agency under section 208 of the CWA that discharges to waters of the State, but is not defined as “large”' or “medium” municipal separate storm sewer system. This term includes systems similar to separate storm sewer systems in municipalities, such as systems at military bases, large hospital or prison complexes, and highways and other thoroughfares. The term does not include separate storm sewers in very discrete areas, such as individual buildings. Storm Water is defined at 40 CFR §122.26(b)(13) and means storm water runoff, snow melt runoff, and surface runoff and drainage. Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity-a discharge of pollutants in stormwater runoff from areas where soil disturbing activities (e.g., clearing, grading, or excavating), construction materials, or equipment storage or maintenance (e.g., fill piles, borrow areas, concrete truck washout, fueling), or other industrial stormwater directly related to the construction process (e.g., concrete or asphalt batch plants) are located. (See 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14)(x) and 40 CFR 122.26(b)(15). Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity-the discharge from any conveyance that is used for collecting and conveying stormwater and that is directly related to manufacturing, processing or raw materials storage areas at an industrial plant. The term does not include discharges from facilities or activities excluded from the NPDES program under Part 122. For the categories of industries identified in this section,the term includes, but is not limited to, stormwater discharges from industrial plant yards; immediate access roads and rail lines used or traveled by carriers of raw materials, manufactured products, waste material, or by-products used or created by the facility; material handling sites; refuse sites; sites used for the application or disposal of process waste waters (as defined at part 401 of this chapter); sites used for the storage and maintenance of material handling equipment; sites used for residual treatment, storage, or disposal; shipping and receiving areas; manufacturing buildings; storage areas (including tank farms) for raw materials, and intermediate and final products; and areas where industrial activity has taken place in the past and significant materials remain and are exposed to stormwater. For the purposes of this paragraph, material handling activities include storage, loading and unloading, transportation, or conveyance of any raw material, intermediate product, final product, by-product or waste product. The term excludes areas located on plant lands separate from the plant's industrial activities, such as office buildings and accompanying parking lots as long as the drainage from the excluded areas is not mixed with stormwater drained from the above described areas. Industrial facilities include those that are federally, State, or municipally owned or operated that meet the description of the facilities listed in Appendix D of this permit. The term also includes those facilities designated under the provisions of 40 CFR 122.26(a)(1)(v). Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) refers to a comprehensive program to manage the quality of storm water discharged from the municipal separate storm sewer system. SWMP is an acronym for “Storm Water Management Program.” Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)-A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that amount to the pollutant's sources. A TMDL includes wasteload allocations (WLAs) for point source discharges; load allocations (LAs) for nonpoint sources and/or natural background, and must include a margin of safety (MOS) and account for seasonal variations. (See section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and 40 CFR §130.2 and §130.7). Water Quality Impaired–See ‘Impaired Water’. Water Quality Standards: A water quality standard defines the water quality goals of a water body, or portion thereof, by designating the use or uses to be made of the water and by setting criteria necessary to protect the uses. States and EPA adopt WQS to protect public health or welfare, enhance the quality of water and serve the purposes of the Clean Water Act (See CWA sections 101(a)2 and 303(c)). “You” and “Your” as used in this permit is intended to refer to the permittee, the operator, or the discharger as the context indicates and that party’s responsibilities (e.g., the city, the country, the flood control district, the U.S. Air Force, etc.).

6. What does all the Acronyms and Abbreviations for Stormwater stand for?

BMP–Best Management Practice

BPJ–Best Professional Judgment

CGP–Construction General Permit

CWA–Clean Water Act (or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq)

DCIA–Directly Connected Impervious Area

EPA–U. S. Environmental Protection Agency

ESA–Endangered Species Act

FWS–U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

IA–Impervious Area

IDDE–Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

LA–Load Allocations

MOS–Margin of Safety

MS4–Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System

MSGP–Multi-Sector General Permit

NAICS–North American Industry Classification System

NEPA–National Environmental Policy Act

NHPA–National Historic Preservation Act

NMFS–U. S. National Marine Fisheries Service

NOI–Notice of Intent

NPDES–National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NRC–National Response Center

NRHP–National Register of Historic Places

NSPS–New Source Performance Standard

NTU–Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

OMB–U. S. Office of Management and Budget

ORW–Outstanding Resource Water

PCP–Phosphorus Control Plan

POTW–Publicly Owned Treatment Works

RCRA–Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RQ–Reportable Quantity

SHPO–State Historic Preservation Officer

SIC–Standard Industrial Classification

SPCC–Spill Prevention, Control, and Counter measure

SWMP–Stormwater Management Program

SWPPP–Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

TMDL–Total Maximum Daily Load

TSS–Total Suspended Solids

USGS–United States Geological Survey

WLA–Wasteload Allocation

WQRP–Water Quality Response Plan

WQS–Water Quality Standard

7. Do other cities have stormwater utilities?

Yes. Various Phase II Oklahoma Cities have fees ranging from $1.00 to approximately $50.00 to help fund their Stormwater Management Program.

8. What services are provided through the Stormwater Utility?

In order to provide revenue to fund the costs associated with a stormwater management program, there is hereby established a stormwater management fee. All revenues collected from the stormwater management fee shall be deposited to the stormwater management fund. The stormwater management fund shall be used for the following purposes:

(1) Costs of development, administration, and implementation of the stormwater management program including operation costs, capital expenses, salaries and consulting fees;
(2) Public education and outreach;
(3) Stormwater pollution prevention activities;
(4) Illicit discharge detection and elimination;
(5) Inspection, monitoring, surveillance, and enforcement activities;
(6) Abatement, remediation, and restoration activities;
(7) Field sampling and testing equipment, supplies, and services;
(8) Laboratory testing equipment, supplies, and services;
(9) Engineering and GIS equipment, supplies, and services;
(10) Storm sewer system development, upgrades, and repairs;
(11) Retrofitting developed areas for pollution control;
(12) The acquisition by gift, purchase, or condemnation of real and personal property, and interests therein, necessary to construct, operate, and maintain the municipal storm sewer system; and
(13) Other equipment, supplies, and activities which are reasonably required;
(14) Costs of Development, administration and implementation of the stormwater management program including operation costs, capital expenses, salaries, and consulting fees;
(15) Retrofitting developed areas for pollution control, and
(16) The acquisition by gift purchase, or condemnation therein, necessary to construct, operate, and maintain the municipal storm sewer system.

9. What is stormwater runoff?

Stormwater is the water that runs off impervious surfaces from rain, snow melt, and surface drainage. Impervious surfaces are hard surfaces where water is unable to soak or infiltrate into the ground. Impervious surfaces include paved streets, parking lots, roof tops, and other hard surfaces. This water drains overland collecting sediment, contaminants, litter, nutrients, and other pollutants into a channel or storm drain and/or straight to a nearby river of creek without being treated.

10. I live on high ground, why should I have to pay the stormwater fee?

Every property in the City of Miami has stormwater runoff that contributes to existing water quantity and quality problems and contributes to the need to operate and maintain the storm drain system. Driveways, parking areas and rooftops in every part of the city contribute to the amount of water that must be managed. It is most equitable to have all developed properties pay a fee for stormwater that runs off of that property.

11. When will the storm drains be cleaned in our area?

Please call 918-542-6685 and request the Stormwater Department. You will need to give an approximate location of the stormwater intake, including cross streets. Someone will be assigned to investigate the condition of the storm drain and schedule any needed maintenance.

12. When will the drainage easement be cleaned in our area?

According to Article IV, Section 24-169, Ordinance No. 1537, § 1, 10-6-08, Watercourse protection, every person owning property that has stormwater drainage passing through it, shall keep and maintain it within the property free of trash, debris, excessive vegetation and other obstacles.
If you have any questions about the drainage on your property, call 918-542-6685 and ask for the Stormwater Department. Please leave your address and a return phone number as someone will return your call.
Stormwater Ordinance

13. Who un-plugs the storm inlets, drains?

Call dispatch at 918-542-6685 and report the address and approximate location of the plugged inlet. Either Stormwater, Street Department or Wastewater Collection personnel will investigate the issue and/or remove the debris.

14. How do I get a final inspection for a storm line?

Call dispatch at 918-542-6685 and someone from Community Development will schedule the final inspection.

15. What do I do to report bad odors from a storm drain inlet?

Call 918-542-6685 and request a storm inlet be cleaned out. Provide closest intersections and /or address if possible, as well as your name and a number you can be contacted at in the event crews need more information.

16. What is a stormwater illicit discharge?

An illicit discharge is any discharge into the storm sewer that is not comprised entirely of stormwater. Illicit discharges may be a result of industrial activity, deposits of oil on parking lots, excess lawn fertilizer and yard clippings, and a variety of other sources which pollute water with turbidity, excess nutrients, and bacteria. Illicit discharges can also be from failing septic systems or improperly connected sewer lines. Dumping liquids or refuse into storm drain inlets is also considered an illicit discharge and eliminating these discharges is an important step in protecting Miami's waterways. To report an illicit discharge, contact dispatch at (918) 542-6685 or use the Citizen Reporting Form.

17. How do I report erosion control problems from construction sites?

To report erosion control problems, call dispatch at 918-542-6685.

18. I am told I have a drainage (or floodplain or surface water flowage) easement in my yard. What is an easement?

An easement is intended to protect an area for a specific use, in this case overland flow of stormwater. Most easements are granted by developers when they complete the final plat for the development. The property owner has the responsibility of maintaining the land in the easement, so as to keep the drainage path open.

19. Doesn’t stormwater go to the wastewater treatment plant?

Stormwater that goes in storm intakes leads directly to creeks, ponds and rivers untreated. Keeping the water that goes into the storm drain clean helps to keep our streams and ponds clean too!

20. Why is stormwater management important?

Without a stormwater collection system, every rain event could turn into a flooding situation. The City of Miami has the responsibility of operating, maintaining, and improving our waterbodies and our stormwater conveyance system. This conveyance system collects rainwater that runs off of yards, roofs, streets, and parking lots and sends it to our waterways. The Stormwater Management focuses on water quantity as well as water quality. Water pollution degrades surface waters which can in turn make them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and a variety of other activities. Maintaining good water quality is important for preserving the health of waterbody habitats and ecosystems. The City of Miami is permitted with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for stormwater discharges giving Miami's Stormwater Management Personnel the ultimate responsibility for water quality discharges within the City of Miami limits.

21. What problems does stormwater runoff cause?

Stormwater can carry harmful nonpoint source pollutants, cause flooding, erode topsoil and stream banks and destroy marine life habitats. In an area with natural ground cover, on average, only 10% of rainwater becomes runoff. The rest is absorbed or evaporates. In urban areas, up to 55% of rainfall can become stormwater runoff.

22. Why are the stormwater and sewer systems separate?

Unlike wastewater, which is treated before it is released back into the environment, stormwater goes directly into Miami’s ponds, creeks and river. Because stormwater comes in large amounts at unpredictable times, treating it as wastewater would be very expensive.

23. What is nonpoint source pollution?

Nonpoint source pollution is water pollution that is difficult to trace to a specific discharge point. Because it comes from many diverse sources, it is hard to control. Examples of common nonpoint source pollutants include fertilizers, pesticides, sediments, oils, salts, trace metals and litter. They come from farms, yards, roofs, construction sites, automobiles and streets.

24. What is Composite Runoff Coefficient (C-Factor)?

C-Factor is the runoff coefficient. It is the ratio of the amount of excess rainfall or runoff to the amount of precipitation for a given time over a given area. Without getting into time and area, a very basic example might be: the C-Factor for pavement is 0.87; this means that for every 100 cups of water you pour on pavement (concrete or asphalt), 87 cups of water will run off of it. The C-factor for grass is 0.07. Again, for every 100 cups of water poured on it, 7 cups of water will run off of it. The Composite Runoff Coefficient or Composite C-Factor then is a weighted average of all areas and their corresponding C-factors that make up a parcel.

25. Will all properties have to pay the stormwater fee?

The stormwater Ordinance and fee shall apply to all water entering the stormwater drainage system generated on any developed and undeveloped lands within the City Limits unless explicitly exempted by an authorized enforcement agency. The stormwater system service charge shall not be imposed on the following types of property:

(1) City-owned highways, streets, rights-of-ways, parks, and open space, and leased uses on city-owned properties.
(2) Railroad rights-of-ways.

26. I have a drainage problem in and/or near my property, how do I get it fixed?

Call dispatch at 918-542-6685 and report your issue. Please include your address and a phone number that you can be reached at. Stormwater personnel will investigate your complaint and will contact you with any maintenance that the city may be able to do.

27. My area of town is built out and has an adequate storm drain system so why do I have to pay the stormwater fee?

All properties in the city contribute stormwater to the system, so all should contribute to the cost of operating the system. A portion of the utility’s revenues will be used to maintain and to make water quality improvements to the existing system, including the one in your neighborhood. As the facilities in your part of town age, they require a higher level of maintenance and eventual replacement. There is also a need to begin water quality work and public education efforts that will help to improve the quality of the water in your local streams, lakes and creeks. The remaining revenue will be used for capital improvement projects that will reduce flooding threats to life and property that currently exist. While the stormwater system in your area may be adequate to protect your neighborhood, the storm flows may contribute to problems downstream.

28. Why should I have to pay the stormwater fee if we have a detention/retention pond?

While basing the fee on impervious areas may not necessarily equate to the exact stormwater run-off on any one property during any one storm event, the impervious area often correlates with the amount of stormwater run-off over the long term and has been determined by the courts to be an equitable methodology. It is important to note that the stormwater fee pays for citywide improvements to the storm drain system and funds the federally mandated Stormwater Permit. Controlling floodwaters allows for transportation corridors and emergency traffic to remain unrestricted and benefits the health, safety and well being of all of Miami’s businesses and citizens. Further, the State and the Environmental Protection Agency are requiring the city, as a whole, to obtain and implement programs under a Stormwater Permit to avoid penalties of $2,500 per day or more. These improvements and programs support and apply to the entire city. Because your property is within the Miami city limits, a stormwater fee will be charged to fund these storm drain system improvements and the Stormwater Permit programs.

29. How can the city charge an additional fee without an election?

The stormwater utility is an enterprise fund under the State Constitution and does not require an election. The stormwater utility fee is not a tax, but a fee for service, just like your water and wastewater utilities. Citizens and businesses benefit from the stormwater utility through a better-maintained storm drain system, increased flood control, and improved surface water quality. We are just one of many cities along the Front Range that have implemented a stormwater utility fee to fund flood control projects and satisfy the new Stormwater Permit requirements.

30. Is this utility a way for new developments to avoid their responsibilities for managing stormwater?

No. All new development will still be required to follow existing city ordinances. Existing regulations require the developers to build, at their expense, storm drain systems and stormwater detention facilities to manage the runoff generated by their developments. Once a lot is developed, that lot will be subject to the same monthly stormwater fee as all the existing lots.

31. What are the key concerns for the City of Miami Stormwater Management?

Protecting water quality; public health, welfare and safety; reduction of flood losses (when possible); and the protection of natural resources are our key concerns in managing stormwater.

32. What are some stormwater pollutants?

Anything other than stormwater discharged to the City of Miami's stormwater conveyance system is considered a pollutant. Examples are multiple; however, here are a few:
(1) Grass clippings;
(2) Yard debris;
(3) Construction Soil and dirt:
(4) Paints, varnishes, and solvents;
(5) Oil and antifreeze;
(6) Garbage and refuse;
(7) Sewage and animal wastes, and
(8) Overuse and/or misuse of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

33. What can Miami Citizens do to help protect the Neosho River?

1. Mow the outer strip or two of your property inward, in the lawn and not out to the street.
2. Mulch or bag your grass and leaves instead of blowing them into the streets.
Yard waste deplete the oxygen in our waters and fish need oxygen to survive.

3. Prevent leaks from your vehicles
4. Don't pour used motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, herbicides, paint or any other pollutants into the storm drains.
Call 918-542-6685 for more assistance from Stormwater personnel.

34. Why do I have to pay the Stormwater Utility Fee when I am not on the City sewer or water?

Stormwater is rain. the Fee has nothing to do with drinking water or sewer. The Fee is being charged for the service the City of Miami provides monitoring the community's stormwater runoff. All developed properties produce rain runoff and are, therefore charged the Stormwater Utility Fee.