County to Sylvania Township on Storm Water Utility
In advance of the Tuesday meeting of the Sylvania Township Trustees, the Lucas County Engineer responded to concerns raised by a Trustee related to the Lucas County Storm Water Utility.
The Engineer has sent a letter to the Township (attached) which details the legal hurdles for a township wanting to withdraw from the County Storm Water utility.
The Lucas County Stormwater Utility District is a response to an EPA unfunded mandate under the 1972 Clean Water Act. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II regulations require that governmental entities have a permit and stormwater plan to address water quality in our local rivers, streams and lakes.
According to the Federal Register, Sylvania Township is required to have an NPDES Phase II permit. Currently, the township is covered because it is a co-permittee on the Lucas County NPDES Phase II permit. If the township withdraws from that permit, it will be in immediate violation of the Clean Water Act.
As noted in the letter, Lucas County does respect the desire of Trustees to study this issue. The recommendation is that Sylvania Township commit to the district for two years, and uses that time to form its own task force to evaluate alternatives.
SylvaniaTwpLtr(StormwaterUtilityDist)
Categories: Toledo Area