Residential Car Wash Guide - 2009

Soapy water going down storm drains pollutes our lakes and streams by adding excess phosphorous and other chemicals! Learn about the environmental impact of car washing and what you can do to help keep Newcastle's stormwater clean.

Residential Car Wash Brochure [ PDF| 136 KB ]

New Storm Drain Markers - 2008

In urban and suburban areas, much of the land surface is covered by buildings and pavement, which do not allow rain and snowmelt to soak into the ground. Instead, most developed areas rely on storm drains to convey large amounts of runoff. As stormwater flows over driveways, lawns, and sidewalks, it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants. Stormwater can flow into a storm sewer system or directly into lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, or coastal waters. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water. Polluted runoff is the nation’s greatest threat to clean water.

A pollution prevention opportunity has presented itself for the month of October 2008. The City of Newcastle will be working with a volunteer group to install an operational BMP (Best Management Practice) in the form of storm drain markers. The markers will contain the message “No Dumping Drains to Stream” and will be installed adjacent to catch basins around the Newport Woods neighborhood.

Local Brownie Girl Scout Troop #1096 has volunteered to install these storm drain markers in the neighborhood as a Community Service Activity to earn their Try It for helping Citizens Near and Far. Troop #1096 currently has fourteen Girl Scouts that are primarily 3rd Graders from Hazelwood Elementary School here in Newcastle. The troop has been together since they were in Kindergarten and are excited to be part of this important Community Service Activity.

For questions about this project, please contact
Jed Gonzales 425.649.4444.111

NPDES Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit for Western Washington

All City storm drains eventually
drain into the Puget Sound

Background
In 1987, Congress changed the Clean Water Act to include stormwater discharges in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the new stormwater regulations to be implemented into two phases of the NPDES permit program. The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) was given the regulatory authority to implement these stormwater regulations through municipal stormwater permits.

The Phase I permit covers jurisdictions serving more than 100,000 people while the Phase II permit covers census-defined urban areas that serve smaller populations.

On January 17, 2007, DOE issued the NPDES Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit for Western Washington that regulates stormwater and wastewater discharges to waters of the state. Owners of publicly-owned stormwater systems were required to obtain NPDES permits for their stormwater discharges.

The City of Newcastle is an operator of a regulated small municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) and applied for coverage under this permit. As a Permittee the City is required to develop and implement a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP).

The SWMP is designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the regulated small MS4 to the maximum extent practicable (MEP), meet state requirements to use all known, available, and reasonable methods of prevention, control and treatment (AKART) to waters of the state, satisfy appropriate requirements of the Clean Water Act and to protect water quality. In addition, the federal rules require record keeping, evaluation, and reporting on the progress of the SWMP.

Department of Ecology Focus on Municipal Stormwater Programs (January 2007)
Department of Ecology FAQs about Municipal Stormwater Permits (December 2006)
US Environmental Protection Agency “After the Storm”

What is a SWMP?
According to the permit, each Permittee shall develop and implement a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). A SWMP is a set of actions and activities comprising of the following five components:

1. Public Education and Outreach
2. Public Involvement and Participation
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDD&E)
4. Controlling Runoff from New Development, Redevelopment & Construction Sites
5. Pollution Prevention and Operation and Maintenance for Municipal Operations

The SWMP shall be designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the regulated small MS4 to the maximum extent practicable and to protect water quality. Each Permittee shall prepare written documentation of the SWMP.

Program Documents

• 2010 Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) [PDF | 924KB]
• 2009 Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) [PDF | 22.28MB]
• 2008 Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) [PDF | 79.3KB]

Annual Reports

• City of Newcastle 2009 [PDF | 133KB]
• City of Newcastle 2008 [PDF | 132KB]
• City of Newcastle 2007 [PDF | 79.3KB]

Public Involvement and Participation
The City plans to keep Newcastle citizens informed on the progress of the SWMP by utilizing the following means:

1. NPDES webpage on the City’s website
2. City Beat articles in the Newcastle News
3. Forthcoming public meetings for public input
4. City booths in Newcastle Events

The City encourages public comment and participation in the development and implementation of the SWMP. The City’s SWMP was released for public comment March 2008. See link above for electronic version or pick up a copy at City Hall. Comments regarding the SWMP can be sent to the following email address jedg@ci.newcastle.wa.us or by contacting Jed Gonzales with Newcastle Public Works Department at (425) 649-4444.

SWMP Participation Memo (released February 2008)

Construction Stormwater General Permit
Who Needs Construction Stormwater Permit coverage?

1. Does your construction project disturb 1 or more acres of land through clearing, grading, excavating, or stockpiling of fill material? Remember to count the cumulative acreage of the entire project whether in a single or in a multiphase project. This applies even if you are responsible for only a small portion [less than one acre] of the larger project planned over time.
2. Is there any possibility that stormwater could run off your site during construction and into surface waters or conveyance systems leading to surface waters of the state? In almost every case, the answer to this question is yes. However, if the topography and location of your site is such that there is no possibility that rainfall or snowmelt could leave the site or enter a  waterway, you do not need permit coverage.

If you answered "yes" to both of these questions, your construction site needs a permit. Construction site operators must apply for a permit 60 days prior to discharging stormwater.

Focus on Construction Stormwater General Permit
Department of Ecology Construction Stormwater General Permit
Construction Stormwater General Permit Application Form (Notice of Intent, or NOI)

NPDES Phase II Helpful Links

Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Stormwater Services and Information

The City of Newcastle prides itself on maintaining roads, city property, and other infrastructure to the highest possible standards within our mandated responsibilities and budget. Citizens with specific concerns about maintenance can visit City Hall and submit a “Request for Action Form.”

It is the responsibility of all considerate citizens to reduce the landfill burden by recycling to the greatest extent possible. The City supports two recycling events each year where residents can recycle motor oil, batteries, and other difficult to recycle materials.

The next scheduled event is Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Renton Academy.
Download the full flyer [ 147 KB| PDF ]

The City of Newcastle is proud to announce that the Social Service Grants for the 2008 calendar year have been awarded to the following applicants:

• Eastside Domestic Violence
• Hazelwood Elementary PTSA
• Maywood Middle School PTSA
• Newcastle Elementary PTSA

These applicants provide programs in recreational, social, human, and educational pursuits that enrich the lives of Newcastle residents. $15,000 in Social Service Grants was available for distribution to candidates and was awarded to applicants that met the City’s requirements.

The City of Newcastle is pleased that these funds will benefit eleven (11) different programs that are provided by the above applicants. These programs demonstrate a commitment to the improvement of our community.

The City of Newcastle is growing and with growth comes increased traffic congestion and other issues. Long-term traffic concerns such as sight distance or traffic calming is addressed on a continual basis by the City. Citizens with specific concerns about traffic issues can visit City Hall and submit a “Request for Action Form.” Traffic issues that involve immediate risk to health and safety should be reported to the police.

Snow and Ice Priority Route Map [ 797 KB | PDF ]

How Snow & Ice Routes are Prioritized

During snow and ice events, the City of Newcastle will first plow priority emergency routes, ensuring that emergency responders (police, fire and aid) can maneuver within the city. A snow and ice priority map has been developed in conjunction with our Police and Fire providers. The prioritization numbers refer to the order in which the streets get plowed or treated. The level of treatment of the roads is dependent on the degree of snow/ice on the road and the geometrics (grade, presence of intersections, etc). Due to equipment capability priority routes one and two are often started concurrently.

We often receive requests to elevate a street's priority because it is particularly steep or serves a number of homes. However, the prioritization is more focused on ensuring that our emergency service providers can get in, out, and around the City. In some cases, the steepness of a road factors into that selection - but it is not the sole reason. We also have to carefully consider our equipment capabilities and equipment/staff availability.

During an actual event, we adhere to the prioritization as best we can. However, the situation can be very dynamic. We work with the emergency providers to assist with any immediate needs they may have. If a snow/ice event begins, and school buses are on the roads, we include those bus routes in our decision-making process. We have highly variable weather conditions which may leave a Priority 1 route in passable condition, but create a highly hazardous situation on a Priority 2 route. Equipment availability and capability also enters into the equation. We have some equipment that can take wider passes for the arterials, and other equipment that is more capable of navigating the steep grades. For this reason, Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes are often started simultaneously.

Two roads that will be closed due to hazardous conditions during snow and ice events are SE 76th Street and SE 79th Drive.

Since we cannot be everywhere at once, we always appreciate and welcome the notification we receive from citizens regarding particularly treacherous conditions in their area of the City.

Tools, Resources and Action Plans

The City of Newcastle attempts to increase the safety of our major roads by applying de-icing agents prior to anticipated snow and ice conditions. Sanding or plowing is completed once ice and snow are on the ground. Not all roads can be treated for snow and ice so remember to drive slowly when road conditions are challenging!

In an attempt to better prepare residents for action plans in case of inclement weather or natural disaster, the City of Newcastle is offering the following information with regard snow, ice, wind, flood and earthquakes. The intent is to inform our residents which routes will be cleared and/or evaluated FIRST in a weather-related event.

We hope that by providing this information, you can better evaluate your routes through the City. We have also included a few website links which could prove useful for preparing your family and friends. Remember, if government resources are stretched beyond their capabilities, it may take several days to receive help. It is always best to prepare yourself and your family.

The City of Newcastle ranges from almost sea level to an elevation of 1000 feet. In some cases there are few to no alternative routes when a collector or arterial road is blocked. Further hampering winter snow and ice activities are difficult weather patterns, infrequent winter events, and narrow windows for effective plowing or deicing. Weather patterns within Newcastle can range form 40 degrees and raining at sea level to 30 degrees and snowing.

The City’s winter maintenance program is sized and comprised to facilitate the movement and safety of public traffic under normal expected winter conditions. This will typically be when temperatures drop and create black ice or frost conditions. A light to moderate snowfall may also occur. The exceptional winter weather event in western Washington is going to be a heavy snowstorm, short in duration over a wide geographic area. Since this happens infrequently, sizing a winter maintenance program to meet the demands of every exceptional winter event would be inefficient management of resources because the excess equipment and materials would be idle most of the winter.

Due to equipment constraints, it is necessary during some winter events to prioritize our route response. It is an expectation that within equipment and personal allowances, staff will work to keep all arterials and collector roads clear of snow and ice. Because many winter weather events severely tax our abilities to keep these roads at our preferred level of service goals, we will in many cases focus primarily on main arterials. Once a storm subsides and as soon as practical, crews will focus on the remaining priority routes. Crews will not plow driveways, private roads, or private parking lots. Crews will not plow steep hills that are unsafe for equipment to drive on. If you live in a cul-de-sac or dead end road, your road may be last to be plowed. Our goal is to achieve the greatest good in the shortest amount of time by focusing on heavily traveled roads.

The City of Newcastle’s response is based on past experience and anticipated winter events for the winter ahead. When that rare, heavy snow storm does occur, our maintenance program may very well be unable to deliver the preferred level of road service for the duration of the event. We appreciate your understanding. Newcastle residents should know that their maintenance staff has worked diligently and put in long hours during past events and will continue to do so during future events.

For additional information here are some helpful links:
http://www.metrokc.gov/prepare
http://www.govlink.org/3days3ways
http://www.redcross.org
www.rpin.org

Dumping on City or Public property without approval is illegal. If you observe suspicious dumping please note the make, model, and license plate number of the offender and report these to the police as soon as possible. Please contact the City if you observe illegally dumped materials on City property.