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Commissioners advance road‑use ordinance to meet Clean Water Act requirements
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Summary
The board read an ordinance amending County Code chapter 7.03 to regulate discharges into the county storm system and scheduled a second reading/public hearing for May 7; vote to read by title passed 4-0.
Clackamas County commissioners on April 23 held a public hearing and read by title a proposed ordinance amending county code chapter 7.03 to implement a program for detecting and eliminating illicit discharges into the county storm system to comply with the federal Clean Water Act and MS4 permit requirements.
Mike Besner, assistant director of Transportation and Development, said the proposed new county-code section 7.3.25 would prohibit non-storm-water discharges into the county storm system with some enumerated exceptions such as irrigation, foundation drains, and charity car washes. "This is to comply with the federal Clean Water Act," Besner said, explaining the change is intended to give county staff clearer enforcement authority and make illicit discharges a code violation where appropriate.
The board voted to read the ordinance by title and set a second reading and public hearing for May 7. Commissioner Helm moved to read the ordinance by title only; Commissioner Savas seconded; the motion passed 4-0. Staff told commissioners the change is expected to require little direct new cost beyond routine implementation and will allow code enforcement to act where the county controls portions of drainage infrastructure.
The second reading will provide an additional opportunity for public comment and more detailed review of proposed code language.
