Overview
MassDEP is convening a stormwater Advisory Committee (AC) in preparation for updating the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) stormwater regulations (310 CMR 10.05(6)). MassDEP is undertaking these updates as part of its mission to protect wetland and water resources of the Commonwealth. The Advisory Committee will focus on two topics:
- Aligning the WPA Stormwater Management Standards with Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit Post-Construction Stormwater Rules
MassDEP is developing measures that will more closely align the WPA stormwater management standards in wetlands areas with MS4 General Permit stormwater rules. These measures are expected to provide consistency between federal and state regulations, simplify the stormwater permitting process, and help the 260 MS4 communities meet the MS4 deadline to adopt local rules that meet EPA’s Minimum Control Measures. Alignment of the stormwater regulatory frameworks will also provide benefits that improve resilience for wetland ecosystems and for drainage and transportation infrastructures under changing climate conditions.
- Precipitation Projections for Stormwater Management
MassDEP is preparing to update the Wetlands Protection Act stormwater regulations pertaining to precipitation intensity and frequency by, at a minimum, adopting the NOAA Atlas 14-Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States Volume 10 Version 3.0: Northeastern States. This will address related stormwater management issues and broader climate resilience implications by incorporating the most recent storm data. MassDEP is also considering options for incorporating precipitation projections that account for future conditions.
MassDEP will also update the Advisory Committee on additions to the MA Stormwater Handbook such as the MassDEP Wetlands Program Solar Array Policy and special considerations being developed to address constraints imposed by limited Rights of Way (ROW) on MassDOT linear highway projects.
Purpose
The purpose of this Advisory Committee process is to inform and seek input from interested stakeholders about proposed changes to MassDEP’s stormwater regulations and Handbook. The Advisory Committee comprises designees from invited organizations that represent interested stakeholders, including from the development, environment, and government sectors, as well as other subject matter experts. All meetings are open to the public.
Members
| ORGANIZATION | DESIGNEE | TITLE |
|---|---|---|
| Home Builders and Remodelers Association Central MA | Guy Webb | Executive Director |
| Home Builders and Remodelers Association of MA | Jeffrey Brem | HBRA Board VP/Treasurer |
| NAIOP - The Commercial Real Estate Development Association | Chip Nylen | Designee |
| MassDOT-Highway Division | Henry Barbaro | Environmental Analyst |
| Member At Large: | Rich Claytor | AC Member At Large |
| Member At Large: | Robert Roseen | AC Member At Large |
| Massachusetts Audubon Society | Heidi Ricci | Assistant Director of Advocacy |
| Massachusetts Rivers Alliance | Ian Cooke | MRA Board Member |
| MA Association of Conservation Commissioners | Sandra Brock | MACC Board Member |
| MA Department of Conservation and Recreation | Robert Lowell | DCR Stormwater Manager |
| MA DEP Wetlands Program (AC Chair) | Stephanie Moura | Director, Wetlands and Waterways Division |
| MA DEP Wetlands Program | Lisa Rhodes | Wetlands Program Chief |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Newton Tedder | Project Manager |
| MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs | Vandana Rao | Director of Water Policy |
| MA Department of Fish and Game | Cindy Delpapa | Riverways Program Manager |
| Massachusetts Municipal Association | Ariela Lovett | Legislative Analyst |
| Central MA Regional Stormwater Coalition | John Woodsmall | CMRSC Co-Chair |
| Pioneer Valley Planning Commission | Patty Gambarini | Co-Leader, Land Use/Environment Section |
| Association of MA Wetland Scientists | Stacy Minihane | AMWS Board - Vice President |
| Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section | Ronald Burns | Senior Vice President |
Meeting Schedule and Materials
Meeting 1: Introduction and Topical Overview
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Place: 2nd floor Conference Room, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #1 - Agenda
Stormwater Advisory Committee Charge and Ground Rules
Stormwater Advisory Committee future meetings schedule
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #1 - Presentation
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #1 - Summary
Meeting 2: Stormwater Management Considerations Specific to Highways / Update on EPA TS4 Permit
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #2 - Agenda
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #2 - Presentation
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #2 Summary
Meeting 3: Updating Precipitation Projections
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #3 - Agenda
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #3 - Presentation
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #3 - Summary
Meeting 4: DEP SW Handbook and EPA MS4 Alignment / Advisory Committee Wrap-up and Next Steps
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #4 - Agenda
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #4 - Presentation
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #4 - Summary
Meeting 5: Stormwater Scenarios / Discussion Forum-All Topics/ Wrap-up and Next Steps
Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #5 - Agenda
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #5 - Presentation
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting # 5 - Summary
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #5 – Scenario Analysis Report
Meeting 6: Preview of Draft Stormwater Regulations / Handbook Updates Prior to Release for Public Comment
Date: Thursday, June 10, 2021
Time: 9:30-11:30am
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting #6 - Presentation
Meeting 7: Review of Draft Stormwater Regulations
Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Advisory Committee Comment Letters
Homebuilders (HBRAM) Comment Letter 11/18/2020
Homebuilders (HBRAM) Comment Letter 4/26/2021
Charles River Watershed Association Comment Letter
Massachusetts Rivers Alliance and 36 Organizations Comment Letter
City of Cambridge presentation to Stormwater Advisory Committee 9-22-2020
Relevant Documents
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act Regulations - 310 CMR 10.00
Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook and Stormwater Standards
US EPA - Massachusetts Small MS4 General Permit Draft Modifications 2020
NOAA Atlas 14 Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the United States
NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency Estimates: MA
MassHighway Storm Water Handbook for Highways and Bridges
MassDEP Wetlands Program Policy 17-1: Photovoltaic System Solar Array Review