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- city of kalispell stormwater management program -
overview ~ solid waste disposal ~ snow removal policy ~ permits ~ sewer service
water service ~ fire hydrant meter rental ~ wastewater treatment plant
stormwater management program ~ height modernization ~ contact us
Stormwater runoff can collect pollutants from urbanized areas, which can add to or create
problems in lakes and streams. New federal and state regulations require action by the
City of Kalispell to minimize pollution carried by stormwater runoff. The Montana
Department of Environmental Quality regulates stormwater runoff through the Clean
Water Act. Kalispell was issued an MPDES permit for discharges from its Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) in July of 2007. The City of Kalispell must
implement a Stormwater Management Program, involving six minimum control
measures, to control pollutants in stormwater to the maximum extent practical. The
following is a list of the six minimum measures and a description of activities the City
will perform in 2009. For more information on the City programs, please call the Public
Works Office at 406-758-7720.
The objective of this minimum control measure is to increase awareness and educate the
public about urban runoff. General knowledge of both water quality problems and
potential solutions can allow for greater compliance with laws and regulations.
2009 Program Activities
- Stormwater public information on stormwater pollutions sent in utility bills.
- Numerous printed brochures on stormwater are available at the counter of the
Public Works building and are included in utility bill statements, Consumer
Confidence Report and in the bi-annual City Parks and Recreation Newspaper.
- Stormwater information on the City of Kalispell website and on the Montana
Department of Transportation’s (MDT) website.
- Informational products related to stormwater education are available, at no charge
to the public, at the City Public Works Office and at the MDT Kalispell office.
The requirement of this measure is to provide opportunities for the City to get feedback
from the public and allow individuals or groups with specific interests to participate in
City stormwater issues and programs.
2009 Program Activities
- Annual Public Meetings are held to obtain public comments and relay stormwater
information. Public Service Announcements are advertised three week prior to the
meeting.
- A Public Complaint Process was developed in December 31, 2007 and advertised
through the Stormwater Public Education Program developed in 2008. The
program will provide a means for citizens to register a complaint or acquire
information regarding stormwater pollution through the City Public Works
Department and Montana Department of Transportation Kalispell Office.
- A storm drain identification project is underway and storm drain ID curb markers
will be installed by the Boy Scouts and volunteers in the summer of 2009. If
other groups are interested in installing storm drain IDs for a project, please
contact Susie Turner at 758-7852.
- Stormwater educational advertisements will be played on the Public TV station
KAJTV- Channel 9. The advertisements were created by the Flathead High
School Audio Video class.
- City staff will present stormwater public education and be involved in educational
programs for students in elementary classes.
Water that enters the storm drainage system is not processed in a treatment plant. Illicit
discharges are sources of water that are not runoff from precipitation events and can be a
source of pollutants. The goal of this minimum measure is to identify and control non
stormwater discharges to the waters of the community.
2009 Program Activities
- Storm drainage facilities such as storm sewers, inlets, and channels have been
mapped by the Engineering and Utilities Division. These maps are a valuable tool
for management and maintenance.
- An Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program was developed
for the City in December 2007. The program will be implemented in 2008 and
2009 and outlines the programs used to detect and address illicit discharges to the
stormwater systems, including discharges from illegal dumping and spills. A copy
of this program is available to the public; please contact Susie Turner at 758-
7852.
- City staff will be monitoring and sampling stormwater outfalls as they
discharge to streams and rivers in the summer of 2009.
- In February 2008 a new Illicit Discharge Elimination Ordinance was adopted by
City Council. For information on the new ordinance please contact Susie Turner
at 758-7852, or a copy of the ordinance can be obtained from the City website.
Almost any form of outdoor construction disturbs the existing ground cover or vegetation
and creates soil erosion. The City developed, implemented, and enforces a program to
reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff to the permitted small MS4 from construction
activities.
2009 Program Activities
- The City ordinance, “Stormwater Discharges Resulting from Construction and
Land Disturbance Activities” was approved by City Council in April 2007 and
has been active since May 2, 2007.
- A Construction Stormwater Management (SWM) Permit is required for
any land disturbance construction activity in the City of Kalispell. A copy
of the permit can be obtained from this website in the Public Works
Permit Section or at the Public Works Office.
- This SWM permit DOES NOT take the place of the State General Permit for Discharges Associated with Constructions Activities. Both permits will need to be acquired for land disturbance equal to or greater than one acre.
- Construction sites will be inspected by Kalispell employees for conformance to submitted Stormwater Management Plans.
- Educational training and information for the Stormwater Management
requirements will be provided for contractors, engineers, and developers. For
more information contact Susie Turner at 758-7852.
The objective of this minimum measure is to develop, implement, and enforce a program
to address stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment projects that
disturb greater than or equal to one acre, including projects less than one acre that are part
of a larger common plan of development or sale, that discharge into the City’s small
MS4. This program must ensure that controls are in place that would prevent or minimize
water quality impacts.
2009 Program Activities
- The City of Kalispell Standards for Design and Construction outlines design
standards for stormwater management in new development. In addition, a
stormwater report is required to address measures taken to meet the requirements
of the City’s SWMP as it applies to the site.
- All new developments with stormwater outfalls to waterbodies or to City MS4s
that flow to waterbodies are required to design and implement treatment facilities
for pollutants of concern.
- The City Public Works Department has developed a Stormwater Quality
Management Plan and incorporated the plan into the draft 2009 Kalispell
Standards for Design and Construction. The draft 2009 Standards are currently
going through the process of City Council approval and adoption.
- The City continually performs maintenance and cleaning of structural stormwater
controls such as:
- Sweeping of gutter and streets
- Cleaning of storm manholes, catch basins, and pipes
- Annual leaf pick up program
- Maintenance and repairs of City owned stormwater detention and stormwater treatment facilities
- Maintenance of storm conveyance ditches
The City considers the potential impacts to stormwater of its operations, equipment, and
practices. Numerous measures are employed on a daily basis to minimize any negative
effects.
2009 Program Activities
- The City’s Public Works Department continues to perform the following daily Operation and Maintenance activities:
- Street sweeping
- Alternative product usage
- Material management
- Material storage and recycling
- Dead animal removal
- Storm drain system cleaning
- City leaf collection/recycling program
- The City Public Works Fleet Maintenance recycles automotive fluids used in
maintenance of the City’s cars, trucks, and equipment. All maintenance is
performed indoors and no work or material storage is exposed to stormwater
runoff.
- All City activities which may affect stormwater quality are currently being
reviewed and put into a Pollution Prevention Good Housekeeping Guidance
Manual which will be used for annual training on methods to minimize any
negative impacts.
- The City obtains construction stormwater permits from the Montana Department
of Environment Quality for City projects.
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