In accordance with the Federal Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently imposed strict new regulations on water quality in creeks, streams, lakes, and rivers. Adopted in 1999, this unfunded mandate requires our community to submit a plan which outlines how we propose to protect our bodies of water from pollution.
The Butler County Commissioners appointed the Butler County Engineer’s Office as the lead agency to develop this plan, which evaluates the quality of storm water runoff from construction sites, commercial and residential properties, as well as agricultural and park lands. Communities will be required to closely monitor storm water runoff and possibly fine offenders. What the plan does not involve is resolving flooding issues or infrastructure maintenance, i.e., storm sewers and drainage facilities. All affected entities were required to obtain permit coverage by March 10, 2003.
During 2002, a steering committee was assembled by the BCEO to formalize the plan for a Storm Water District in Butler County. For more on this program, click here.
