16.55.270 Water Quality, Stormwater, and Nonpoint Pollution.
(1) Policies.
(a) Maintain and improve the water quality and quantity of the City’s shorelines, and preserve surface and groundwater for the beneficial use of the City’s citizens and wildlife over the long term.
(b) Prevent impacts to water quality and surface water quantity that would result in a net loss of shoreline ecological functions, or a significant impact to aesthetic qualities or recreational opportunities.
(c) Encourage effective erosion and sedimentation controls for construction in shoreline areas.
(2) Regulations.
(a) Do not degrade ecological functions. Design, construction and operation of shoreline uses and developments shall incorporate all known, available, and reasonable methods of preventing, controlling, and treating stormwater to protect and maintain surface and ground water quantity and quality so that there is no net loss of ecological functions.
(b) Do not degrade views and recreation opportunities. Design, construction and operation of shoreline uses and developments shall incorporate measures to protect and maintain surface and groundwater quantity and quality in accordance with all applicable laws, so that significant impacts to aesthetic qualities (e.g., water color) or recreational opportunities (e.g., safe swimming and fishing) do not occur.
(c) Requirements for new development.
(i) New development and re-development shall manage short-term and long-term stormwater runoff to avoid and minimize potential adverse effects on shoreline ecological functions through compliance with the latest edition of the Stormwater Management Manual for Eastern Washington (2004) or approved equivalent. If certain thresholds are not met by a development that trigger compliance with the Stormwater Management Manual or approved equivalent, best management practices (BMPs) must still be employed to avoid and minimize potential adverse effects.
(ii) When the Stormwater Management Manual applies, deviations from the standards may be approved where it can be demonstrated that off-site facilities would provide better treatment, or where common retention, detention and/or water quality facilities meeting such standards have been approved as part of a comprehensive stormwater management plan.
(d) Sewage management. New developments or failing septic systems shall connect to an existing municipal sewer service system if feasible, or install a system or make system corrections approved by Whitman County Public Health Department.
(e) Materials requirements. All materials that may come in contact with water shall be untreated or approved treated wood, concrete, approved plastic composites, or steel that will not adversely affect water quality or aquatic plants or animals.
(f) Storage. The bulk storage of oil, fuel, chemicals, or hazardous materials, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, shall not occur in shoreline jurisdiction without adequate secondary containment and an emergency spill response plan in place. (Ord. 16-3 §28, 2016).