Proposed revisions have scaled back some requirements, giving towns more time to phase in changes.
The state is proposing changes to how towns and cities deal with storm water that runs into rivers and streams. The rules would change requirements for some towns around things like street sweeping and catch basin cleanups.
The storm water rules first went into effect in the late 1990s thanks to congressional amendments to the Clean Water Act. It requires some towns with storm water systems to register with the state to meet federal water quality benchmarks.
Ozzie Inglese Jr., is with the DEEP. He said proposed revisions have scaled back some requirements and that they give towns more time to phase in changes. "Collectively, as citizens, I think we have a mandate that we've imposed on ourselves. We have to protect water quality," he said.
Betsy Gara agrees. She's with the Council of Small Towns, an advocacy group representing communities of less than 30,000 people.
"Towns really want to do the right thing," Gara said. "They want to help improve water quality." But she said the EPA intended its storm water rules for bigger cities, where pavement and other man-made surfaces prevent the soil from filtering storm water.
In smaller towns, Gara said, the permit goes too far, saddling local governments with extra expenses. "If you take a town like Roxbury or Bridgewater, small rural community, under the revised general permit those towns are now going to have to update their land use ordinances," she said. "They're going to have to do extensive reporting about efforts to sweep streets. Efforts to remove snow."
Overall, Gara said 49 new communities would be required to comply with the proposed storm water revisions. The DEEP will meet with Gara's organization and other advocates to discuss the issue on February 4.
