Valley County commissioners weigh changes to stormwater design rules after conservation group's request

Valley County commissioners on May 5 held a workshop on proposed stormwater impoundment design criteria after a soil and conservation group submitted a letter asking for stronger design requirements for developments near Lake Cascade.

Dan, Valley County district engineer, said the group wanted a "new resolution" that would require more design features and review for development typically within about "a thousand feet" of the lake. He described the request as aimed at trying "to improve some of the water quality" and said he sought the commission's guidance on how far to press the issue.

The commission did not adopt any policies at the meeting. Commissioners discussed two general approaches: requiring strengthened standards countywide or creating an additional review layer that would apply specifically around…