Close to a decade ago, the Environmental Protection Agency began cracking down on the stormwater runoff coming from large construction sites in larger cities around the country.  The first cities handled in Kansas included Wichita, Kansas City and Topeka. Now, it's Dodge City's turn. And, whatever eventually gets passed will have a major effect on local developers and contractors.  Doug Danaher, regional manager of stormwater services of Wilson and Company out of Kansas City, Mo., presented the Dodge City Commission on Monday with a basic outline of what the city's ordinance would require of potential developers in the area.

The city, which is required by both the EPA and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to pass an ordinance monitoring stormwater runoff, will have to tailor-make the local guidelines.  The first step in drafting the ordinance, identifying illicit discharge of pollutants into the storm sewage system, went without any major problems, Danaher said.  However, the city is now required to develop a program to reduce stormwater pollution from construction sites as well as businesses and residents.

The ordinance, which is still in early draft form, would require the city to monitor the amount of washout, chemicals, detergents and whatever non-water materials get washed down the drains.  "The EPA basically wants everyone to know what goes through the stormwater sewage goes into the river," Danaher said.  Similarly, contractors in the area would also have to provide proper prevention for erosion and sediment control (no dirt and dust into the air or neighboring properties), design guidelines, standard specifications and a streamlined administrative process.  Joe Finley, director of engineering services, said the finalized ordinance would offer extremely specific guidelines for local contractors, outlining from start to finish what they would have to do to meet federal and state guidelines using erosion control products and sediment control products.

Mayor Kent Smoll said he was concerned that the financial impact of temporary seeding to prevent dust and erosion, along with silt fences, straw wattles and other required efforts, would frustrate local contractors.  "I just see this as another contractor battle," Smoll said. "But I guess it's one we can't get around."  Finley said it should be economically feasible for many contractors to meet the guidelines, and it would just be a matter of how ingenious the workers could be.  For example, to prevent dust and erosion of exposed land during a long-term construction project, Finley said a cheap alternative like rye grass could be planted to keep the topsoil in place while the project was finished.  Most of the guidelines would apply to any development larger than one acre.