Stormwater coordinator: county inspecting post-construction measures to meet MS4 permit requirements

Don Adams, the Martinsville stormwater coordinator, updated the county drainage board Aug. 4 on new MS4 permit requirements and the county's response. Don Adams said the county's permit requires tracking and periodic inspection of post-construction best-management practices such as ponds, oil-grit separators and manufactured devices. "Before, we always put those on the owners of the homeowners association. And then the state says that we shall at least track these, inspect these, and then send out letters for the ones that are in need of maintenance or repair," he said. Adams said the county hired a summer crew to inspect older post-construction measures, take photos and document maintenance needs. He said the county has implemented a new online system to store inspection records and photos and that the work is being funded from his MS4 budget within the county surveyor's office. A board member asked where the funding came from; Adams replied, "Carries. Out of my budget. That's the MS 4 budget that goes through mine," and that the county had absorbed the work internally rather than creating a separate MS4 office. Board members discussed the administrative history of MS4 responsibilities and noted some counties assign MS4 duties to commissioners or separate staff. Adams said the county is on track to meet permit requirements with the inspections and that staff will send letters when maintenance is needed.