§ 28-342. Intent.

(a)

This article is enacted under the home rule power of the county to ensure the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Hernando County, and protect and enhance the water quality of watercourses and water bodies in a manner pursuant to and consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.) and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (Chapter 62-624 F.A.C. pursuant to the authority of section 403.0885 F.S.) by reducing pollutants in stormwater discharges to the maximum extent practicable and by prohibiting non-stormwater discharges to the storm drain system.

(b)

Hernando County has been designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a regulated local government under Phase 2 of the National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permitting Program with the revision to Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part.

(c)

This designation requires the county to develop and implement a stormwater management program which will reduce stormwater pollutant discharges to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), and to develop and implement an ordinance or other regulatory mechanism to require erosion and sediment controls, as well as sanctions to ensure compliance, to reduce pollutants in any stormwater runoff to the MS4.

(d)

Hernando County desires to implement this article to fully comply with the requirements of the designation as a regulated local government under Phase 2 of the National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permitting Program.

(Ord. No. 2006-10, § 1.B., 6-20-06)