FINDING ALL OF THE PIECES AND MAKING THEM FIT TOGETHER A COMPREHENSIVE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF JEFFERSON, MISSOURI

Several factors led to the need for the City of Jefferson, Missouri to seek a comprehensive update of the City's stormwater management program. Lack of funding in prior years had created a significant back-log of capital improvement projects. Other infrastructure projects, such as roads, water and wastewater, took precedence in the City's budget. Since there was no program in place to manage the City's stormwater effort, the stormwater program was administered on an as needed basis by several different, uncoordinated departments. Without a funding mechanism, previous master plan studies became outdated and projects were being done on a reactionary basis. Urbanization of the City's watersheds and its location along the Missouri River caused major flooding problems in the downtown and business districts. Additionally, the deadline for compliance with NPDES Phase II regulations was looming in the not too distant future.It was decided that due to the need to address all of these factors and their interconnectivity, a look at the overall program was necessary. The project would include crafting an overall stormwater management program that addressed capital improvement needs, program needs, and regulatory needs while being sensitive to public input. Additionally, a dedicated funding mechanism would be implemented so that long-term planning efforts could be carried out.