D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 21-521

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 23, June 7, 2024

Rule 21-521 - STORMWATER MANAGEMENT: PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR LAND-DISTURBING ACTIVITY CONSISTING OF BRIDGE, ROADWAY, AND STREETSCAPE PROJECTS IN THE EXISTING PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY

521.1

This section applies only to the portion of a major regulated project that consists entirely of bridge, roadway, streetscape, or railway work:

(a) In the existing Public Right of Way (PROW); or

(a) In the existing PROW and in the public space associated with the PROW.

521.2

A project in the existing PROW may comply with a requirement in this chapter to retain a Stormwater Retention Volume (SWRv) by:

(a) Retaining fifty percent (50%) of the SWRv on site and using off-site retention for the remaining volume;

(b) Achieving the SWRv; or

(c) Retaining on site the SWRv to the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP), after proving that each opportunity for installing retention capacity has been exhausted in compliance with the MEP process for existing PROW detailed in the Department's Stormwater Management Guidebook (SWMG).

521.3

A project in the existing PROW shall:

(a) Prioritize, to the MEP, the management of stormwater from the roadway, including stormwater draining from roadway beyond the area of land-disturbing activity; and

(b) Not be required to install a Best Management Practice (BMP) or landcover:

(1) That provides retention capacity greater than that required to achieve the SWRv that is calculated for the area of land-disturbing activity; or

(2) That is outside the area of land-disturbing activity.

521.4

An existing PROW project on an Anacostia Waterfront Development Zone (AWDZ) site may comply with a requirement in this chapter to achieve a Water Quality Treatment Volume (WQTv) by:

(a) Achieving the WQTv; or

(b) Achieving the WQTv to the MEP, after proving that each opportunity for installing retention and treatment capacity has been exhausted in compliance with the MEP process for existing PROW detailed in the SWMG.

521.5

A project in the existing PROW that elects to comply with the SWMG's MEP process for maximizing retention or treatment shall provide the following information demonstrating technical infeasibility or environmental harm:

(a) Detailed explanation of each opportunity for on-site installation of a BMP that was considered and rejected, and the reasons for each rejection, including each opportunity that could be created by reducing roadway width in order to create an expanded area for retention of the SWRv or treatment of the WQTv between the curb line and private property; and

(b) Evidence of site conditions limiting each opportunity for a BMP, including, as applicable:

(1) Data on soil and groundwater contamination;

(2) Data from percolation testing;

(3) Documentation of the presence of utilities requiring impermeable protection or a setback;

(4) Documentation of structural requirements that would not be satisfied by a BMP;

(5) Evidence of the applicability of a statute, regulation, court order, pre-existing covenant, or other restriction having the force of law; and

(6) Evidence of a District-approved use for the safe and effective transport of goods or people

521.6

A major regulated project in the existing PROW may achieve on-site retention by retaining more than the 1.2 inch SWRv for an area of the site or for an area that drains to the site, subject to the following conditions:

(a) Unless an SDA drains into the CSS or the Department approves an application for relief from extraordinarily difficult site conditions, at least fifty percent (50%) of the 1.2 inch SWRv from the SDA shall be:

(1) Retained; or

(2) Treated to remove eighty percent (80%) of total suspended solids to the MEP;

(b) Unless an SDA drains into the CSS or the Department approves an application for relief from extraordinarily difficult site conditions, th e entirety of an area intended for use or storage of motor vehicles shall drain to each necessary BMP so that at least fifty percent (50%) of the 1.2 inch SWRv flowing from that entire area is retained or treated to the MEP;

(c) Retention in excess of a 1.2 inch SWRv for one area of the site or an area that drains to the site may be applied to the volume required for another area of the site;

(d) The requirement for retention of a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the 1.2 inch SWRv for the entire site shall be achieved, unless the project achieves retention of the SWRv to the MEP;

(e) Any site that achieves less than fifty percent (50%) of the SWRv on-site shall use off-site retention generated outside the CSS, unless the project achieves retention of the SWRv to the MEP; and

(f) Retention of volume greater than that from a 1.7 inch rainfall event, calculated using the SWRv equation with a P equal to 1.7 inches, shall not be counted toward on-site retention.

521.7

If a project in the existing PROW that is retaining the SWRv to the MEP is not able to achieve retention of fifty percent (50%) of the SWRv for the entirety of an area intended for use or storage of motor vehicles, the Department may waive a requirement to provide treatment for that volume if the Department:

(a) Determines that a treatment BMP would displace or reduce the size of retention capacity to be installed; and

(b) Concludes that the displaced or reduced retention capacity would be as protective or more protective for District waterbodies than the alternative treatment BMP.

521.8

An existing PROW project that is retaining the SWRv or the WQTv to the MEP shall not be required to use off-site retention for the difference between the required volume and the achieved volume.

D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 21-521

Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 10640 (July 19, 2013); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 844 (1/31/2020)

Authority: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Civil Infractions Act of 1985, effective October 5, 1985, as amended (D.C. Law 6-42; D.C. Official Code §§ 2-1801.01 et seq. (2007 Repl. & 2012 Supp.)); District Department of the Environment Establishment Act of 2005, §§ 101 et seq., effective February 15, 2006, as amended (D.C. Law 16-51; D.C. Official Code §§ 8-151.01 et seq. (2008 Repl. & 2012 Supp.)); National Capital Revitalization Corporation and Anacostia Waterfront Corporation Reorganization Act of 2008, effective March 26, 2008 (D.C. Law 17-138; 55 DCR 1689), as amended by the Anacostia Waterfront Environmental Standards Amendment Act of 2012, effective October 23, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-192; D.C. Official Code §§ 2-1226.31 et seq.) (2012 Supp.)); The Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act of 1977, effective September 28, 1977 (D.C. Law 2-23; 24 DCR 792), as amended by the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Amendment Act of 1994, effective August 26, 1994, (D.C. Law 10-166; 41 DCR 4892; 21 DCMR §§ 500 -15); Uniform Environmental Covenants Act of 2005, effective May 12, 2006, as amended (D.C. Law 16-95; D.C. Official Code §§ 8-671.01 et seq. (2008 Repl.)); Water Pollution Control Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985, as amended (D.C. Law 5-188; D.C. Official Code §§ 8-103.01 et seq. (2008 Repl. & 2012 Supp.)); and Mayor's Order 2006-61, dated June 14, 2006, and its delegations of authority.