What Is Stormwater? According to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC): "Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that doesn't soak into the ground but runs off into waterways. It flows from rooftops, over paved areas and bare soil, and through sloped lawns while picking up a variety of materials on its way. As it flows, stormwater runoff collects and transports soil, animal waste, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil and grease, debris and other potential pollutants. The quality of runoff is affected by a variety of factors and depends on the season, local meteorology, geography and upon activities which lie in the path of the flow." To Summarize - stormwater is water that flows over impervious surfaces, picking up pollutants along the way and carries them into stormdrains that ultimately discharge into a waterbody without being treated or cleaned first. Stormwater is a growing problem as urban areas increase the amount of impervious areas and as we continue to leave pollutants on the ground.

What Is An MS4? An MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) is a conveyance system (such as roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels or storm drains) that is designed for collecting or conveying stormwater, not a combined sewer and not part of a publicly owned treatment system. There are eight "Regulated Small MS4" communities in the Lake Champlain - Lake George area: Town of Fort Edward, Village of Fort Edward, City of Glens Falls, Village of Hudson Falls, Town of Kingsbury, Warren County DPW, Washington County DPW and Town of Queensbury. As "Regulated Small MS4s", a designation given by NYSDEC, the communities have to implement Phase II Stormwater Regulations by January 2008. This includes implementing their individual Stormwater Management Programs. The LCLGRPB continues to assist each MS4 community individually and collectively with public education, public outreach, illicit discharge and infrastructure mapping and municipal operations.  This also involves obtaining funding to continue their longterm stormwater programs. The map below shows the urbanized area (green line) that the eight communities reside in. Click here to view a pdf of the map.

What Is A Stormwater Management Program? A Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) is a program each MS4 community has to implement to improve the quality and quantity of stormwater discharging from their community. There are six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) that the MS4 community has to address in their individual SWMP. These include: Public Education and Outreach Public Involvement/Participation Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control Post-Construction Stormwater Management Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations