Phase II Stormwater Regulations
The Phase II Storm Water Program became effective March 2003. It regulates Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems (MS4’s) located within "urbanized areas" as defined by the latest census from the U.S. Census Bureau and construction activities that disturb between 1 and 5 acres.
The Town of Amherst has been participating in the Western New York Stormwater Coalition since 2002. The regulated MS4s of Erie and Niagara Counties, as well as several non-traditional MS4s and local environmental agencies, such as the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District and Erie County Environmental Health Department, are members of the Western New York Stormwater Coalition. This Coalition has been meeting regularly for the past two years to work cooperatively to meet the requirements of the Phase II Stormwater regulations. For the first year, the Coalition utilized a workgroup format to examine each of the six minimum controls and local ordinance development. The workgroups developed a better understanding of the requirements and also identified existing programs and mechanisms that would assist with meeting the requirements. The workgroups also determined the best management practices and measurable goals that the Coalition would accomplish collectively. These Best Management Practices (BMP) and Measurable Goals were identified on the Notice of Intents (NOI) submitted by the Coalition participants.
The Public Education and Outreach and Public Participation/Involvement controls are addressed by one workgroup that has been developing education and outreach materials and strategies to engage the public. The Illicit Discharge and Detection workgroup has been working on identifying strategies for illicit discharge detection and control, determining the extent of outfall mapping needed and has developed an outline for the Coalition’s Stormwater Management Plan. Both the Construction Site Runoff and Post-Construction Stormwater Management groups have examined and identified BMPs that reflect local conditions, climate, etc. The P2/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations workgroup has identified key BMPs and has prepared an Operations and Maintenance guidance document. The local ordinance development workgroup researched existing ordinances utilized by Phase I regulated communities and has drafted a model ordinance.
For more general stormwater information go to Erie County Department of Environment and Planning or New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). | 
