DEEP officials “surprised” by aggressive CCM statement on storm water controversy

floodThe Connecticut Conference of Municipalities charged today that “significant” issues linger over the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s draft revisions on storm water (MS4) permits that will be announced by January 26. While the DEEP plans to changes requirements for street sweeping, the cleaning of catch basins, leaf-collection requirements and monitoring of storm water discharges, other issues continue to fester and the statewide costs to towns and cities could exceed $100 million.

“While CCM is encouraged that DEEP appears to be moving away from portions of the onerous and costly unfunded administrative mandate, many serious and extremely costly issues remain,” noted Ron Thomas, CCM Director  of Public Policy and Advocacy.

” The revised version would still go well beyond what is required by EPA, including (1) the creation of a two-tier classification system that would include towns not in ‘urbanized areas’ — this expands the current requirement to include an  additional 49 towns, (2) mandating towns and cities adopt new zoning regulations, enforcement ordinances, and (3) expanded road maintenance requirements — requirements that the State Department of Transportation is not being asked to meet.  Beyond those issues, there’s a lack of clarity regarding what certain terms bandied about by DEEP may mean, such as ‘leaf maintenance’ requirements versus ‘leaf collection’ requirements,” the CCM release says. “CCM will continue to work with DEEP to ensure that the proposed MS4 permit does not impose any mandates beyond those required by EPA, and that any provisions within the permit are adequately funded and do not place additional burdens on property taxpayers. Concurrently, CCM is proposing a bill to ensure legislative oversight regarding changes to the MS4 permit.”

Dennis Schain, spokesman for the DEEP, in reaction:

“We are surprised CCM felt the need to issue a press release on this issue.  We’ve been engaged in positive and productive discussions with local officials trying to ‘thread the needle’ and find ways to accomplish important environmental and water quality objectives in a manner that makes fiscal sense for our cities and town.  We’re committed to continuing this effort and in good faith – and hope they are, too.”