Stormwater Management Action Plan

Images of various stormwater facilities

What is urban runoff (stormwater) and why is it a problem?

  • Rainwater runoff from developed areas – also known as stormwater – is the leading pollution threat to natural waters like lakes, rivers, streams, and marine water bodies in Washington State. Pollution in natural waters is harmful to fish and other animals, people who swim and play near the water, and the industries that rely on clean water bodies.
  • Runoff contamination comes from our vehicles, landscaping with fertilizer and pesticides, building materials, small spills from machine maintenance and other light industry, and illicit wastewater connections to the drainage system. Polluted runoff can carry metals, unsafe nutrients, pesticides, and harmful organic compounds to natural waters if left untreated.

Project Documents

Task 1: Assess the Condition of the City's Natural Water Bodies
LFP SMAP Receiving Water Assessment, March 2022
Task 2: Prioritize Surface Water Basins for Stormwater Management Action Planning
Review the City's prioritization process (StoryMap)
Watch Our Basin Workshop from June 22, 2022

Receiving Water Prioritization Memorandum

Task 3: Create Stormwater Management Action Plan
Review potential stormwater management actions at our Virtual Public Meeting through February 17, 2023

Final SMAP Report March 2023

Why is the City creating a Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP)?

  • The Washington State Department of Ecology requires the City to create a SMAP using the process outlined in the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. More information on the Stormwater Permit can be found at this link to Ecology’s website.

How will the SMAP benefit our community?

  • Provide cleaner waterways
  • Help resolve residential flooding challenges
  • Create opportunities for new open spaces, parks, and trees 
  • Efficiently use City funds by finding opportunities to combine efforts with other City departments for stormwater project implementation
  • Reflect the community’s values on improving water quality and inform how and where we take action

What is coming in the SMAP process?

  • The SMAP is being developed by your stormwater management team at the City using the process shown in the infographic below.
City action, milestone dates, public participation

Find out more, get involved, and help make the commitment to clean water!

  • Your input is important to the success of our City’s SMAP development during this next year. We’d like you to share your concerns, help prioritize what locations are addressed first, and shape the actions that will be taken.
  • Here are ways you can learn more and get involved: