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So why is it that the City of Southlake needs drainage policy and regulations. Proper
storm water and drainage policy can fulfill a number of needs for the citizens. The
orderly development of any municipality is based upon good planning. When dealing
with storm water, we, as municipal officials must be plan for certain periods of time
when rainfall will be prevalent and must be dealt with. If proper drainage systems are not
constructed for the anticipated runoff, then potential financial loss to property owners
may result.
Drainage policy also delineates the responsibilities of all of the stakeholders in the
municipal drainage system: the elected and appointed officials, city staff and private
property owners. It is important that the city communicate the responsibilities of these
various stakeholders to each group.
Failure to control the anticipated rainfall events can end up causing unnecessary property
loss and costing everyone in the city and the region. That is the very reason that the
North Central Texas Council of Governments has undertaken development of regional
storm water management practices. NCTCOG refers to this program as ISWM or the
Integrated Storm Water Management System. Southlake utilizes the ISWM manual and
practices as does the City of Fort Worth and many other North Texas cities.
Natural Resources such as water are key to our survival on this planet. Water is a scarce
resource and we must take care of and protect our creeks and streams from pollution as
these feed into our water drinking supplies. Sediment from construction sites, runoff
from developed properties including fertilizers can choke off oxygen in our creeks and
streams and upset the delicate ecosystems for our area’s wildlife.
In 1972, the United States Congress passed legislation to protect our nation’s creeks and
streams. This legislation is referred to as the Clean Water Act. It established many of the
regulations that we are required to enforce today.
Also, the Federal Government has established programs such as the National Flood
Insurance Program to encourage municipalities, counties and states to restrict
development within corridors established for the purpose of allowing water to runoff
during rainfall events otherwise known as floodplains. Mortgage companies require
property owners to purchase flood insurance on properties that are affected by these
floodplains. Mortgage companies do this to mange their risk.
Each of these above mentioned reasons suggest that there is value to warrant the
implementation of municipal drainage policy and regulations.