It was 1991, maybe early 1992. I left my office at the sewage treatment plant and drove down to City Hall.
In the City Manager’s office, I had 10 minutes of his time to explain the new stormwater regulations. Yes, under the Clean Water Act, permits would now cover rainwater runoff from roofs, streets, and parking lots. Yes, the City had to comply. Specifically, we had to have a program to stop illicit connections and dumping, to educate the public, and to inspect activities at local businesses and construction sites.
Yes, there were fines and possible third-party lawsuits if we didn’t comply.
And no, this wasn’t going to go away.
The City Manager looked at me through heavy-lidded eyes.
“Do the minimum,” he said. My 10 minutes were up.
20 years later, the stormwater business has matured. Sort of.
On the one hand, we’ve got a whole community of people who, like me, have built their careers around stormwater pollution prevention.
On the other hand, yesterday some of the best and most experienced members of that community gave me a taste “do the minimum” all over again.
More later.