PROGRESS REPORT
SEPTEMBER 22, 1997
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
FOR THE ROUGE RIVER WATERSHED

A COOPERATIVE STRATEGY TO RESTORE THE RIVER

INTRODUCTION
This document is the third written progress report on the status of the cooperative storm water management strategy adopted in January of 1995 by the Rouge Project Steering Committee and others and subsequently presented to the elected leaders of the Rouge River communities by Wayne County's Rouge Program Office. The previous progress reports (September 1995, January 1996) identified the accomplishments in four of the five areas identified in the original strategy and made a number of recommended changes based upon the discussions held with the affected communities and other stakeholders during the first year of the effort. This report summarizes the accomplishments in the past year of the effort and outlines the actions scheduled to continue implementation of the strategy.

The Rouge River Storm Water Advisory Group, formed in November 1994 under the strategy to guide implementation of the strategy and composed of state and local agencies with regulatory or management responsibility, identified the following key elements of the strategy:

1. Implement integrated, monitoring, mapping and modeling efforts by the Rouge Project to address storm water issues;

2. Fund demonstration and pilot projects in cooperation with local communities and other public agencies with storm water responsibilities;

3. Analyze current options and propose needed changes in legal framework for managing storm water based upon hydrologic boundaries;

4. Establish a system to classify subwatersheds within the Rouge River that will allow projection of information developed from pilot and demonstration projects to the entire watershed; and

5. Prepare a long term plan and implementation process for storm water management throughout the watershed.

This Progress Report summarizes the products and results of the first four key elements and outlines actions scheduled to complete the fifth element.

INTEGRATION EFFORTS
The Rouge Project monitoring programs have been expanded to focus attention on water quality information required to identify and remediate pollution coming from sources within the separated sewer areas of the Rouge River watershed. Sampling data from the Rouge and information from other studies has been used to develop predictive models that forecast the flow and water quality impacts associated with planned changes in land use, combined sewer overflow (CSO) controls and alternative storm water management measures in three demonstration subwatersheds. Rouge Project staff also developed a series of water quality indicators that serve as a means of communicating information on water quality and projected benefits of alternate storm water management strategies to watershed decision-makers and the general public. The indicator system has proved useful in building consensus for the need for storm water management in the watershed.

The expansion of the Rouge Project geographic information system (GIS) and integration of that system with local GIS efforts has been the subject of intensive analyses and review by an advisory group which included SEMCOG and local communities and agencies. A GIS needs assessment and recommendations for assuring integration of local GIS efforts with county and watershed-wide efforts has been completed. Pilot projects consistent with the recommendations are currently being identified for funding under the Rouge Project.

DEMONSTRATION AND PILOT PROJECTS
Three representative storm water management demonstration subwatersheds were selected and representatives of local communities along with other state and local agencies with storm water management responsibilities have been working for the past year to complete draft storm water management plans. Two plans have been completed and are now undergoing review. The third plan will be completed by the end of the year.

A total of 46 pilot storm water management projects by 25 different communities and agencies have been funded throughout the watershed and many have been completed. These pilot projects focus on the application of a best management practice (BMP) to a specific storm water management problem. Categories of pilot storm water management projects currently underway include wetlands creation and restoration, structural practices such as grassed swales and detention ponds, pollution prevention programs such as the Rouge Friendly Business Program and other public education and involvement efforts, erosion control, streambank stabilization and habitat restoration, and sewage management such as a program to detect and eliminate failing septic systems. Results from these projects, available 1997-1998, will be used to provide documentation on the cost effectiveness of alternative approaches to manage various sources of nonpoint and storm water pollution and will provide models for other communities and agencies to consider as part of their storm water management plans.

REVIEW OF INSTITUTIONAL AND REGULATORY OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDED CHANGES
An analysis of options for the regulation and financing of storm water management under state law has been prepared and distributed to the communities as part of the Rouge Project. Various institutional options currently available to allow interjurisdictional cooperation between local governments and state agencies were evaluated and recommendations made to develop a new regulatory framework that would allow communities to use an array of existing institutional and financial options to cooperatively manage storm water.

The communities formed a Core Advisory Group to develop a set of guiding principles for the development of a watershed-based, general storm water permit. The guiding principles were ranked in priority by the communities and used to develop a draft general permit for consideration by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The MDEQ subsequently proposed a statewide general storm water permit incorporating most of the principles outlined by the Rouge communities. The MDEQ formally adopted the voluntary watershed-based, storm water permit in July of 1997. The consensual development of this permit program by MDEQ and local communities has been instrumental to developing consensus and encourage participation by Counties, Cities, and Townships, regulators, and the public in the watershed approach to wet weather management.

ESTABLISH CLASSIFICATION OF ROUGE SUBWATERSHEDS
A detailed inventory comparing land use and cover, sewer infrastructure, potential pollution sources, population, and other critical factors affecting the Rouge River has been compiled for each subwatershed. From this inventory, a matrix has been developed that allows subwatersheds to be grouped into classifications to evaluate the relative cost and effectiveness of various storm water management options that are being implemented as part of the pilot or demonstration projects.

In addition, a guidebook for various BMPs has been completed. This BMP guideline outlines the appropriate application of each best management practice, its estimated unit cost and provide specific reference material for construction or application details.

IMPLEMENTATION OF STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
Many efforts to date, such as the expanded monitoring and modeling activities, have demonstrated that storm water management is an integral part of the Rouge River restoration efforts. The storm water pilot project program and the development of the three representative storm water management plans have resulted in many new storm water management activities being initiated in the Rouge watershed. For example, a team composed on representatives from the three county health departments has formed to address pollution from failing onsite sewage disposal systems found throughout the watershed. An intensive focus on illicit connection removal in one area has increased recreational use in the watershed by opening up a stretch of the river to canoeing. Some communities are reviewing their requirements for storm water management facilities, including design standards and performance requirements, based on the work conducted under this strategy to date.

As a next step, an orientation workshop is scheduled for October to share information on the advantages of watershed approach, outline the benefits and requirements of the General Permit, and to solicit ideas on how best to meet application and permit requirements and how the Rouge Project can best assist with the General Permit implementation process. The workshop is expected to generate recommendations on principles and guidelines for meeting permit requirements. It is anticipated that specific technical advisory groups, chaired by community representatives, will be established to develop specific guidance documents to assist with the implementation of the General Permit.

By December, the Rouge Project will be offering subgrants, from new funding available from Rouge Grant 4, to communities and agencies interested in implementing innovative storm water management projects. It is anticipated that additional subgrants will be available by January for communities and agencies who have decided to work together in applying for coverage under the new General Permit

Project staff will continue to support efforts underway in the three focused subwatersheds, and perhaps in additional subwatersheds if the interest exists, to complete models for storm water management programs that demonstrate institutional and financial cooperation between public agencies in the management of storm water within a common hydrologic area.

The Rouge Project will continue to explore mechanisms that will allow the integration of subwatershed management efforts into a comprehensive watershed approach for the entire Rouge River. Through participation on the Wet Weather Federal Advisory Committee we are providing up-to-date information on what is working in the Rouge Project and finding new ideas to try out.

Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -08 and C-264000-01.