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Click Here 41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, January 31, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 25, 2004 Medford will take action to stem rain New storm water measures expected to start in a year By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Silt screens, hillside anti-erosion blankets, and parking-lot landscaping are among the things Medford residents are likely to see more of, if not pay for, over the next five years as part of a federal mandate to improve water quality. The Medford City Council heard about the latest in storm water regulations required by the Department of Environmental Quality and is looking at fees, charges and federal grants to implement a new program. City engineer Larry Beskow told the City Council during Thursday’s study session that Medford is one of the Rogue Valley cities required to more tightly manage its storm runoff, a result of the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act, enacted in 1972, is a federal statute that protects water quality. While initially only large cities were affected, in 1999 a new phase began which affects smaller towns like those in the Rogue Valley. As directed by the Environmental Protection Agency, Medford, Ashland, Central Point, Phoenix, Talent and other urbanized areas of Jackson County are creating rules to keep urban storm runoff and its inherent pollutants out of storm drain systems. Advertisement The Rogue Valley Council of Governments sponsored an open house at the City Hall’s Lausmann Annex Thursday as part of a public education requirement. From widening riparian (streamside vegetation and habitat) zones and requiring water retention ponds in parking lots to requiring blankets for exposed soil to prevent erosion and routine inspections of construction sites, the city is considering strategies to deal with the new regulations, said Greg Stabach, RVCOG hydrologist. "It could be within a year you’ll start to see these things," said Stabach. He said a detention pond between the "Big Y" and the Highway 62 overpass at Interstate 5is an example of storm water management. The long narrow "pond," which only fills when rains are heavy, allows storm water to filter slowly into the ground, removing pollutants, instead of rushing directly into Bear Creek. Funding for the storm water management program could come from city budgets, utility fees, system development charges and federal grants, he said. Medford already has a monthly storm drain utility fee of $3.41 for residents. Ashland’s monthly fee is $2.13. In December, Medford toughened its storm water management ordinance — the change makes the discharge of pollutants (grass clippings, anti-freeze and toxic waste) a crime punishable by a fine of $1,000 per occurrence and up to one year in jail. "Medford and Ashland are kind of ahead of the game as far as what they’re already doing," said Stabach. Beskow said so far the burden has fallen primarily on city staff to put together a plan to manage runoff. He said Medford’s public works department hopes to hire one full-time employee this year to implement the program. Medford Public Works plans to present a program to the council for approval before DEQ’s March 10 deadline. How you can help Here are some tips from the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce your contribution to pollution in local streams and rivers. For more information contact Craig Harper or Greg Stabach at Rogue Valley Council of Governments, 664-6676. Auto care — repair auto fluid leaks and recycle used auto fluids. Lawn care — use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly, if at all. Septic systems — have systems inspected every 3 years. Landscaping — plant native plant and grass areas instead of covering large areas with concrete and asphalt, so rainwater can soak into the ground. Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters; picking it up and flushing in toilet is the best solution. Keep vegetation along streambanks — keep livestock away from streambanks and provide them a water source away from waterbodies. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times