Storm Water Management

Statement 

This policy was developed to establish clear guidelines around storm water management and to comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations and the requirements of the Town Conservation Commission. Stormwater runoff from rainfall and snowmelt is the largest source of water quality impairments in the rivers, lakes, ponds and marine waters of Massachusetts. The ultimate purpose of this policy is to protect the health of wetlands and waterways by preventing contaminants from entering surface water and storm water collection systems. 

Scope / Responsibilities

This policy applies to Facilities Management, Contractors or anyone conducting activity near a wetland resource area, including riverfront protection areas and wetland buffer zones, or when site disturbance (excavation, grading, clearing) equals one acre or more. All maintenance, construction or other activity must comply with this policy. 

For enforcement of policy:

• Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer

For oversight of policy:

• Vice President for Finance & Administration and Treasurer 

For procedures implementing policy:

• Associate Vice President for Facilities Management

Policy 

Introduction

The purpose of this policy is to protect waterways. 

Policy statement

Stormwater runoff picks up trash, sediment, oils, chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, improperly disposed of cigarettes and pet waste and other pollutants, all of which can be devasting to wetlands and waterways. This policy details the controls and processes required to manage stormwater and prevent pollution.
 

Policy Violations 

Violations of college policies are adjudicated according to procedures outlined in the Student Handbook and the Staff Handbook, with disciplinary consequences imposed by the adjudicating authority up to and including dismissal. Some offenses are punishable under state and federal laws.

Procedures 

The Facilities Director of Operations serves as the Resource Protection Area Coordinator. No work can be done in a wetland resource area without prior approval from Resource Protection Area Coordinator. All site work disturbing 1 acre or more requires a Storm Water Permit - all permitting is coordinated by the Resource Protection Area Coordinator. In addition to these prior approvals, the following procedures are required:

• Each College vehicle will carry a copy of the protection area map
• Each site work contractor will be given a copy of the protection area map before commencing work 
• All work must be planned and coordinated in a manner that minimizes exposed soil
• Cover all excavated soil at the end of each work day and during rain events or threat of rain – keep soil covered until it is reused or removed from the site 
• Install and maintain silt fences around all areas with exposed soil
• Install and maintain a sediment drain filter in every catch basin in the vicinity of any site work project
• Inspect silt fences and catch basin inserts at least weekly and after each rain event, keeping a log of inspections
• Avoid placing soil piles on paved surfaces
• Divert rainwater around soil piles on pavement - sandbag the upslope side of the soil pile
• Hydroseed, or apply soil tackifier as soon as possible on all sloped exposed soil areas
• Filter any water pumped from an excavation before discharge to a catch basin
• Maintain on-site a spill clean-up kit that includes several bags of absorbent and a temporary catch basin cover
• Place a tarp under all generators, compressors or other oil-containing equipment to catch any petroleum release - released material must be immediately controlled, absorbed, cleaned up and disposed of as hazardous waste
• All incidental hazardous material releases, including oil, must be immediately reported to Facilities Management: 413-538-2012 
• Large releases or any other emergency must be immediately reported to Public Safety and Service: 413-538-2304 or 911
• Costs incurred by the College associated with spills or property damage will be charged back to the responsible contractor
• Remove all vehicles and equipment from wetland resource areas, including riverfront areas and wetland buffer zones, at the end of each workday
• Design storm water collection systems to introduce storm water runoff back into the soil where soil conditions allow - if recharge is not feasible, divert runoff to storm water collection systems to prevent overland flow to water bodies

Any alternative method or control, or deviation from these procedures must be approved in advance by the Resource Area Protection Coordinator. 

All activities must be performed in a controlled and responsible manner with full attention to the safety of the community, protection of the environment and preservation of property. 

Definitions 

These definitions apply to terms as they are used in this policy. 

Activity: Any form of draining, dumping, dredging, damming, discharging, excavating,

filling or grading; the erection, reconstruction or expansion of any buildings or structures; the

driving of pilings; the construction or improvement of roads and other ways; the changing of

run-off characteristics; the intercepting or diverging of ground or surface water; the installation

of drainage, sewage and water systems; the discharging of pollutants; the destruction of plant

life; and any other changing of the physical characteristics of land

Area Subject to Protection: Used synonymously with Resource Area. Means any area specified in 310 CMR 10.02(1): 

• Any bank, any freshwater wetland, any coastal wetland, any beach, any dune, any flat, any marsh or any swamp bordering on the ocean, any estuary, any creek, any river, any stream, any pond or any lake
• Land under any of the water bodies listed above
• Land subject to tidal action
• Land subject to coastal storm flowage
• Land subject to flooding
• Riverfront area

Buffer Zone: Means that area of land extending 100 feet horizontally outward from the boundary

of any area specified in 310 CMR 10.02 (listed above)

Campus: All properties owned and managed by Mount Holyoke College

Campus Roads: All College roads that are meant for motor vehicle traffic

MHC Community: All students, faculty, staff, alums and visitors to Mount Holyoke College

Resource Area: Used synonymously with Area Subject to Protection

Related Information:

Facilities Management: For coordination with the Facilities Resource Protection Area Coordinator

and for contractor approval and to report any issue with campus grounds, buildings or non-emergency 

safety concern (facilities@mtholyoke.edu / 413-538-2012)

Responsible Building Policy: For resource protection during construction and other responsible 

green building and sustainable design guidelines and best management practices

Public Safety and Service: For immediate reporting of any emergency (413-538-2304 

or 911) and for protection of the community