What is Wyoming Doing?
Wyoming must develop and implement strategies to meet the six minimum control measures. We work closely in a collaborative effort with surrounding communities and a consultant, Fishbeck, Thompson Carr and Huber. Wyoming is also part of an organization called the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW), a group formed within the Grand Valley Metro Council and consisting of municipalities, colleges, non-profits, businesses and state regulators. All stakeholders work together on various aspects of the six minimum measures to achieve the Phase II permit requirements and improve watershed water quality.
Many of the requirements placed on industrial and commercial property owners are also applied to City properties. In addition, specific requirements exist for practices such as salt storage/application, road maintenance and stormwater system maintenance.
What Can Citizens Do?
Stormwater-conscious citizens can greatly improve the water quality of a community. Local non-profit organizations, such as the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) organize many volunteer opportunities within the community.
Proper landscaping practices, reducing fertilizer/herbicide/pesticide use, correctly disposing household chemicals, cleaning up pet waste and installing rain barrels are just several things that citizens can do that collectively benefit water quality. Some, reference materials include:
- Car Washing Practices
- Fertilizer Use
- Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
- Landscaping for Water Quality
- Pet Waste
- Rain Barrels
- Rain Gardens
IF YOU NOTICE SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK WILL AFFECT WATER QUALITY, SUCH AS SOMEONE DUMPING OIL OR PAINT DOWN A STORM DRAIN, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS REPORT FORM, AND EMAIL US OR CALL 616-261-3564.
What Can the Business Community Do?
Many industrial or commercial facilities are currently regulated by the MDEQ. Regulations, such as the federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) or the state Pollution Incident Prevention Plan (PIPP) may apply to industrial facilities, depending on the amount and type of chemicals stored at the facility. Some facilities must also develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
Business practices can also impact water quality. Run-off from dumpsters, leaking oil from vehicles, improper fertilizer use and poor parking lot maintenance are some examples of how business activity impairs water quality. The EPA has some good information related to industrial stormwater management activities. The stormwater improvement tips mentioned under the “What can citizens do?” can also be applied to the industrial and commercial setting.
Businesses can adopt and follow Best Management Practices (BMPs), designed to assist facilities in reducing stormwater and other environmental impacts.
What if I am subcontracted by the City?
All contractor employees that perform work on a municipal property must receive stormwater training in order for the Wyoming to be compliant with Phase II requirements. The following topics must be covered:
- Proper handling and disposition of grass clippings and yard waste
- Proper mower deck height
- Importance of keeping mower blades sharp
- Importance of avoiding or minimizing use of gas powered equipment on ozone action days
- Importance of maintaining buffers near waterways
- Results of improper fertilizer application
- Importance of soil testing prior to fertilizer application
NO CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE SHALL HANDLE OR USE PESTICIDES, HERBICIDES, OR FERTILIZERS WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING APPROPRIATE TRAINING TO PREVENT THESE MATERIALS FROM ENTERING THE STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR SURFACE WATERS
All bid submittals must include a summary of the safety, equipment, horticultural, and environmental training received by each contractor employee.
All pesticide applications must be done by a certified pesticide applicator. Copies of certification shall be included with the bid submittal.
What about Construction Sites?
Run-off from construction sites can significantly impact water quality. Thus, construction sites are required to be maintained according to federal and state requirements.
Wyoming also has an ordinance relative to construction site run-off, developed to meet the Phase II requirements. Different requirements exist based on the size of the construction site. Developers are required to adhere to the Kent County Stormwater Development Drainage Rules.
Kent County also administers the Soil Erosion Sediment Control process for the Wyoming.
Developers are encouraged to contact the Engineering Department at (616) 530-3588 for more information.
