Henderson, Zachary

Zach is Woodard Currans stormwater practice leader with over 20 years of experience dedicated to management of municipal stormwater and water resource programs. He focuses on planning, compliance, and stormwater asset management, works closely with several long-standing municipal clients on building better stormwater programs and is an advocate for the clean water industry with multiple roles in regional and national organizations.

Titles from this speaker

Stormwater Capture: Identifying Stormwater Needs Without a (Capital) Plan

Abstract

For the past several years, the Water Environment Federation 'Recommendations to Improve the Stormwater Program in the U.S.' included 'Improve[ing] Stormwater Infrastructure Needs Data Collection.' The recommendation asks State Revolving Fund program managers to ensure that stormwater assets are included during Clean Watershed Needs Survey (CWNS) data to support advocacy for increased stormwater funding. Historically, less than half of states have reported stormwater asset needs in the CWNS. Today, few communities conduct proactive condition assessment and comprehensive master planning for stormwater systems and lack an understanding of long-term compliance costs. For stormwater needs to receive national recognition, program managers need to understand the condition of their assets, short and long-term costs, and the staffing and labor necessary to sustain their programs. If we can't clearly define our infrastructure, resiliency, compliance, and planning needs, we can't expect to get critical funding for it. In 2022, the EPA is conducting the next round of CWNS. This is an important opportunity for stormwater programs. The states often relying on local wastewater utilities to generate documentation that meets EPA standards. To meet these standards, all documents must clearly define the NEED, the SOLUTION, and the COSTS of the solution. Typical wastewater supporting documents include Asset Management Plans, Intended Use Plans, various grant and loan applications, and Facility Plans, among others. Stormwater programs may have documents like Preliminary Design Reports for clean water obligations under Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plans, Watershed Management Plans (name varies among states) for impaired waters with implementation cost estimates, grant or loan applications, or Stormwater Master Plans, among others. Many stormwater programs, however, do not have these more traditional engineering reports or capital. EPA has suggested that alternative documentation is permittable, if approved by the agency. This presentation will provide an overview of alternative documentation approaches considered in EPA Region 1, the documentation generated for stormwater needs, and a detailed overview of the approach taken with the state CWNS coordinators. It will complement the EPA CWNS update proposed in an abstract from the EPA National Office, providing additional details on alternative documentation. It could be set up as part of a panel discussion suggested by NMSA on the future of the CWNS and how the stormwater community can better position for future needs documentation.

This paper was presented at the WEF Stormwater Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 27-29, 2022.

SpeakerHenderson, Zachary

Presentation time

10:45:00

11:15:00

Session time

10:45:00

12:15:00

Session number01

Session locationHyatt Regency Minneapolis

TopicCapital Planning, Funding

Author(s)

Z. Henderson

Author(s)Z. Henderson1

Author affiliation(s)Woodard & Curran Inc1;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Jun, 2022

DOI10.2175/193864718825158462

Volume / Issue

Content sourceStormwater Summit

Word count10

What's the Latest? Views on MS4 Permits from across the country

Abstract

This moderated panel discussion (session) will provide insights on MS4 General Permit requirements from around the country. There are over 7000 regulated MS4 dischargers across the United States, and while the general permits tend to largely contain similar provisions, there are unique requirements and innovative approaches to compliance developing in different regions for individual and group permits. This panel has been developed and includes several representatives from WEF's National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards Program winners and other communities working towards proactive permit compliance and program development. Panelists represent both Phase 1 and Phase 2 communities and come from delegated and non-delegated states. The panelists will provide updates on recent permit requirements in their region and will cover a specific area of regulatory focus within their compliance program that has created challenges, innovation and that may set a precedent for other areas of the country.

With more than 7,000 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permits issued across the United States, permitted stormwater dischargers are largely held to similar requirements regardless of region. However, unique requirements and innovative approaches differ regionally for individual and group permits. Through conversation with WEF’s National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards Program recipients and other communities working toward proactive permit compliance, insight is gained on unique regional challenges, innovative approaches, and areas of success that may inform other Phase I and Phase II communities in program development.

SpeakerHenderson, Zachary

Presentation time

11:05:00

11:55:00

Session time

11:00:00

12:30:00

SessionViews on MS4 Permits from Across the Country

Session number420

TopicPolicy and Regulation, Stormwater, Green Infrastructure, and Wet Weather, Utility Management and Leadership, Watershed Management, Water Quality, and Groundwater

Author(s)

Zachary Henderson