Department of Environmental Protections Goals For Stormwater Management

The DEP ultimately has three goals as outcomes to their stormwater permitting process. The first deals with water quality improvement through the control of non-point source pollution. Non-point source pollution comes from any number of different origins, caused by things like the oil spots on driveways and roadways, lawn fertilizer, pet waste, pesticides from farm fields or litter. After a soaking rain, all of these factors can literally mix together in the ensuing runoff and enter our ecosystem through storm sewers, creeks or by being absorbed directly into the ground. It is the collective and cumulative impact of all of these factors and more that damages our water quality.

The second priority deals with the control of flooding and quantity of stormwater. As we see in the news, in other parts of our state and nation, lack of attention to this can, at the very least, cause significant property damage. When a greater volume of water reaches a stream or river faster, logically less of the water can seep back into to the ground water. Subsequently, this results in more flooding after storms, as well as reduced flow in our waterway during dry periods. Due to an increase in volume of runoff more erosion of stream banks and the scouring of channels can also occur. Increased sediment hurts plant and animal habitats that need clear water.

Last but not least, the recharge of ground water after a storm is another important factor that must also be taken into account. As more and more development occurs, less and less runoff finds its way back into the aquifers and wells that we need to supply our homes and businesses with water. This is an important component to the approval process for any new development so that we neutralize these effects to this aspect as growth occurs.