Loading...
Page 4 of presentationPage 4 - 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.