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Clackamas County schedules second hearing on road‑use code changes to meet Clean Water Act requirements
Summary
The board held a first reading of Ordinance 06‑2026 to amend county code Chapter 7.03 to regulate discharges into the county storm system (MS4 permit compliance). Staff said the change targets illicit discharges; a second hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2026.
Clackamas County on April 23 held a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance to amend County Code Chapter 7.03 to help comply with federal Clean Water Act requirements tied to the county’s MS4 stormwater permit.
Mike Bezner, assistant director of Transportation and Development, told commissioners the proposed new section (7.03.250/2550) would prohibit non‑storm discharges into the county storm system except for specified exceptions such as irrigation, foundation drains and charity car washes. Bezner said the code change is intended to give staff a clearer enforcement mechanism to detect and eliminate illicit discharges and make county response more efficient.
When asked about cost, Bezner said the ordinance is not expected to impose material new expense beyond routine response and that the change clarifies authority (allowing code‑enforcement responses rather than law‑enforcement intervention in some matters).
The board read the ordinance by title only and set a second public hearing and second reading for May 7, 2026. The motion to read by title and advance the ordinance carried 4–0.
Why it matters: The change implements a locally enforceable standard to support the county’s MS4 permit obligations under the federal Clean Water Act; staff framed the amendment as a compliance step rather than a new fee or program.
Next steps: Staff will return May 7 for the second reading and finalize regulatory language and implementation details.
