View the entire chapter in a PDF format. Please use the pdf for printing.
Publication: February 2007. For information about changes, please see the Revision History.

Chapter 26: Stormwater

Overview (1)

Stormwater flowing through industrial activity areas, such as those on the SLAC site, can carry pollutants into local water bodies if upstream sources are not properly managed. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) regulates stormwater runoff through a general permitting process that applies to all industrial activity sites, including SLAC. Key components of this process include the mandatory development of a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). A SWPPP must include an inventory of potential pollution sources, best management practices (BMPs) to control pollution sources and prevent pollutants from entering the storm drain system, and a monitoring and reporting schedule to ensure the BMPs are effective.

In addition to the general permit, certain activities, such as construction, or certain locations because of their importance to habitats, require specific permits. This chapter describes all permits and permit requirements pertaining to stormwater pollution prevention and SLAC policies to meet them.

Note: SLAC's storm runoff discharges directly into San Francisquito Creek, which ultimately drains into San Francisco Bay. The health of San Francisquito Creek has the attention of many citizens and public agencies concerned with environmental impacts and habitat protection. SLAC joins them in its commitment to environmental excellence and actively works to minimize impacts. (See Stormwater: San Francisquito Creek Watershed Map [pdf].)

Hazards/Impacts (1.1)

Surface Water and Stormwater Pollution

Stormwater, when it washes across an industrial activity area such as SLAC, can pick up pollutants and uncontained sediment and carry them into the storm drain system where they can adversely impact the affected watershed. These water bodies must be protected so that their functions as wildlife habitat, drinking water sources, and recreational areas are not unduly impaired.

Many SLAC operations, such as vehicle maintenance, landscaping, construction, hazardous materials and waste handling, and any other outdoor activity that may release pollutants, must be managed in accordance with permit requirements. These include the proper implementation of BMPs to keep unauthorized discharges from entering the storm drain system.

Note: San Francisquito Creek is currently listed as impaired by sediment and the common ant and slug pesticide, Diazinon. San Francisco Bay is listed as impaired for copper, mercury, nickel and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Hence, it is imperative that these and other pollutants be minimized.

Interaction with Wildlife / Habitat

San Francisquito Creek and its tributaries downstream of Searsville Lake are legally defined as sensitive habitat. Several species common to the San Francisquito Creek watershed are listed by state or federal government as threatened or of concern, including the California red-legged frog, Western pond turtle, California tiger salamander, and several riparian bat species. In addition, the steelhead trout of San Francisco Bay watersheds are federally listed as a threatened species.

Note: These species have not been found on the SLAC site, but SLAC operations can significantly impact their habitat. Any construction, road work, channel maintenance, and storm drain maintenance must take downstream impact into special consideration in order to minimize or mitigate their environmental impact, particularly areas near the southern boundary, which is in closer proximity to the creek.

Scope (2)

The requirements of this chapter apply to anyone engaging in activities or using materials that may impact stormwater, the storm drain system, or the San Francisquito Creek watershed. This chapter describes all permits and permit requirements pertaining to stormwater pollution prevention and SLAC requirements to meet them.

For discharges that may enter the sanitary sewer under mandatory wastewater permits, see Chapter 43, "Industrial Wastewater". For information on how to properly dispose of any materials that may be characterized as hazardous waste, see Chapter 17, "Hazardous Waste". For procedures for handling outdoor spills that might enter the storm drain system, see Chapter 16, "Spills". For additional information on stormwater radiological protection, see Chapter 9, "Radiological Safety".

Exemptions

Activities that are conducted entirely inside a building are not subject to the requirements of this chapter.

Implementation (8)

The requirements of this chapter will be implemented according to Stormwater: Implementation Plan [pdf].

continue to Standards (3)