Stormwater Ordinance

The Cowlitz County Stormwater Drainage Ordinance, found below, is a requirement of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit issued to Cowlitz County by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Although this sounds like Greek, the overall issue is critical. As part of the national Clean Water Act certain activities require permits. Washington State has granted certain counties and cities a permit that covers us under the Clean Water Act. In exchange, we have to take certain actions to improve water quality. The Stormwater Ordinance is one of several activities required by Washington State Department of Ecology to maintain our compliance with the Clean Water Act.

Other activities we are working on include a community outreach strategy as well as a plan to better maintain ditches, outfalls and other structures that handle stormwater.

Stormwater Ordinance - Adopted September 13, 2011.

Stormwater Manual - Users guide to how the Ordinance requirements will be evaluated.