Urban Watershed Management Program

Towards Cleaner Water
The City of Salinas’ Urban Watershed Management Program is an integrated effort involving municipal departments, Federal, state and other local agencies as well as the public. Programs seek to protect water resources by reducing or eliminating contaminants from entering our local creeks, the Salinas River and eventually the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Urban runoff—the surface water from our yards, driveways, and streets that flows through storm drains—is the single greatest source of pollution to our creeks and the Monterey Bay. Unlike sewage and industrial discharges, urban runoff cannot always be treated adequately before it reaches the bay.

By reducing the quantity and improving the quality of runoff, we can lower levels of harmful bacteria, toxins, and other forms of pollutants affecting our creeks and the bay. Reducing urban runoff and amount of pollutants discharged are essential for the health and safety of our community. Urban runoff is a national, as well as local concern.

In 1990, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set forth regulations governing storm water discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Program (NPDES).

In California, the NPDES stormwater program is administered by the State Water Resources Control Board through its nine regions. The City of Salinas lies within the Central Coast Region of the State Water Board, and works with the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board with regards to the Federal Clean Water Act and the NPDES program.

In February, 2005, the City was issued its second five-year NPDES stormwater permit. This Permit includes requirements that affect private businesses, industrial operations and residential activity, as well as governing many City practices. Attachment 4 identifies activities and new regulations that are part of the City’s new permit. These regulations are intended to have each person/business responsible for the stormwater that they generate. This approach has been called “source control” and is the cornerstone philosophy of the City’s permit. The state has also required that the City monitor water quality over time and use this information to take corrective action. Corrective action includes the City partnering with the private sector to implement proven practices that reduce water pollution. These have been named Best Management Practices, or BMPs. The monitoring requirements include taking water quality samples and assessing program effectiveness. Attachment 5 contains the City’s monitoring program as required by the state.

To achieve cleaner water and to meet its NPDES Municipal Permit, the City has prepared a Stormwater Management Plan (Plan) to protect resources. Public comments and questions are invited. Comments or questions regarding the Draft Plan may be addressed to Michael Ricker or by phone: Water Resources at 758-7450.

To be considered by the City Council, written comments on the Draft Plan must be received by 5:00 pm, Monday, October 2, 2006.

Oral comments may be provided at the public hearing on October 17, 2006. The meeting will be held in the Salinas Council Chambers, 200 Lincoln Ave.

Low Impact Development
The City of Salinas will be adopting new regulations regarding land use development to protect downstream water resources. Regulations will limit and guide urban runoff by using design techniques. These techniques have been called Low Impact Development (LID). Adoption of regulations is anticipated by early 2007. In advance of adoption, Salinas will be conducting a series of public workshops on LID. PowerPoint slides from the first two workshops can be accessed by clicking on the LID link on the right of this page. The next workshop is expected to be held in October; the exact date to be posted.

2005 - 2006 Annual Report
The City's 2005-2006 Urban Watershed Management Program Annual Report

Pollution Prevention Hotline (831) 758-7233