GIS, Engineering Support Equitable Stormwater Funding Alternative
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By: P. Eric Mains, PE, a senior project manager with Gannett Fleming and stormwater services leader with more than 20 years of progressive experience partnering with municipal clients. His expertise includes GIS mapping and asset management, design, permitting, system valuation, and utility fee structure programs.
It seems that around every corner, communities are faced with new regulatory mandates and requirements relative to proper stormwater management. While most agree that we are long overdue to begin managing our stormwater runoff as a resource, and not as a waste product, we are left with the on-going question of funding.
GPS locations of intakes and outfalls and the connection of stormwater conveyance to ArcHydro generated surface flow (Lidar enforced drainage).
New Legislation Provides Alternative
Act 62 of 2016/HB 1325, signed into law on July 1, 2016, and taking effect on August 30, 2016, will provide municipalities with another means to fund their stormwater management programs.
Most communities fund their stormwater projects using a mix of general funds or grants/loans where they are available. The new legislation affords municipalities the opportunity to develop a more consistent, equitably distributed revenue stream. Focused funding is aimed to help improve infrastructure, meet permitting obligations, and contribute toward a watershed-wide Chesapeake Bay clean-up effort.
While there was previously a mechanism in place for a municipal authority to collect a stormwater fee, the new law broadens the scope to allow a municipality, which may not have an operating authority, to also collect a stormwater fee to fund their stormwater management program.
Well-Balanced Approach Yields Results
Communities ready to explore this option can work with the Gannett Fleming and GeoDecisions team to develop an equitable (and defendable) stormwater fee program. Geospatial implementation, cost valuation, and program development are just a few of the services we can jointly provide to assist a community with the fee development process.
On the technology side, enterprise GIS solutions help municipal authorities make more strategic and sustainable stormwater management decisions. A holistic water resource approach that considers mapping, managing, modeling, and maintaining utility infrastructure enhances and sustains a municipality’s business processes.
Visit the GeoDecisions and Gannett Fleming exhibits during the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on August 29 and 30 to learn more about profitable and sustainable stormwater solutions and our full range of turnkey municipal solutions.
GeoDecisions App Suite solutions will be on display during the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA) Annual Conference from August 29 -31!
