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Lynnwood Council to discuss new regulations for stormwater discharge

LYNNWOODWash., May 21, 2023—Lynnwood City Council will host a Business Meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, May 22, to discuss/vote on updating the City of Lynnwood’s Stormwater Regulations (including discharge and flow) LMC 13.40 and LMC 13.45 as required by the Department of Ecology.

The Lynnwood City Council Business Meeting will be held in-person, but members of the public may attend virtually via Zoom or Lynnwood, WA Video Archive (swagit.com). For Business Meeting Agenda (click here).

Ordinance: Stormwater Regulations Update

In July 2019, the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) issued a new National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The permit set forth a variety of requirements for jurisdictions to follow in order to be allowed to discharge stormwater to surface waters of the state.

The 2019 permit required jurisdictions to adopt the DOE’s 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW) by June 30th, 2022. On June 30th, 2022, the City of Lynnwood updated our Supplemental Stormwater Guidelines to the 2019 SWMMWW.

In 2022, the City of Edmonds requested a meeting to discuss stormwater issues they were experiencing in Perrinville Creek. During large storm events they were experiencing high velocity flows that were causing erosion problems in Perrinville Creek. The City of Edmonds stormwater staff was proposing to their council to increase stormwater detention and flow control requirements above those in the 2019 SWMMWW, but Edmonds council wanted support from Lynnwood Public Works and to have Lynnwood adopt stricter requirements.

stormwater discharge
SOURCE: Perrinville Creek Stormwater Management Plan

. The Edmonds code and the proposed Lynnwood regulation update would require developments that trigger flow control to detain and release stormwater collected onsite to pre-developed conditions up to the 100-year storm. This requirement will affect developers by requiring a larger detention system to hold back more water during large storm events.

On 02/06/2023 the proposed updates to the City’s stormwater regulations were sent to the Department of Commerce for their 60-day notice of intent to adopt an amendment to development regulations. – No comments were received.

On 02/15/2023 the proposed updates to the City’s stormwater regulations were issued a SEPA Determination of Non-Significance and posted to the SEPA register for public comment and appeal. On 03/01/2023 the comment period ended and no comments were received. On 03/15/2023 the appeal period ended and no appeals were filed.

Lynnwood Public Works is requesting the council approve an ordinance amending chapter 13.40 of the Lynnwood Municipal Code entitled “Stormwater
Management,” and chapter 13.45 of the Lynnwood Municipal Code, entitled “Stormwater Quality,” addressing the management of stormwater discharges, and providing for severability, an effective date, and summary publication.

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