2006/02/08 Council Agenda Packet

3 Assistance Available to Revise Local Regulations to Better Integrate Low Impact Development Practices The Puget Sound Action Team (Action Team) is soliciting proposals from local governments interested in revising their regulations and development standards to better integrate the use of low impact development (LID) practices in development projects. The Action Team will contract with a consultant to provide direct assistance to six local governments selected to receive assistance. The consultant will review existing local regulations and development standards, and develop draft language and other recommendations for local government managers and elected officials to consider for adoption. Assistance will be provided April— September 2006. Local government match is not required. Local government staff will be expected to attend two meetings with the consultant, and to review and comment on draft materials. Local governments are expected to designate one staff lead to communicate with the consultant and Action Team staff, invite other staff to meetings, and coordinate other staff comments on draft materials. Action Team staff will be available to provide support for proposed regulation changes during outreach and public hearings. Deliverables will be draft regulatory language changes and other recommendations. The Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan directs local governments in the Puget Sound region to adopt new or revise ordinances to allow for and encourage use of LID practices (plan element SW-1.2). Local governments are required to implement applicable elements of the management plan subject to availability of appropriated funds or other funding sources (RCW 90.71.070). The Low Impact Development Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound (available at http://www.psat.wa.gov/Programs/LID.htm) provides guidance for incorporating LID practices into development projects in the Puget Sound region. This assistance project is funded by a federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Direct Implementation Fund grant administered by the Department of Ecology and by additional funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10. Proposals should be no more than 3 pages in length (not including support letters) and include: • Local government staff contact information, including staff designated as local lead. • Description of regulations and standards that would be reviewed and amended. • Summary of any existing LID-type regulations and/or known LID practices in the jurisdiction. • Statement that demonstrates staff capacity to receive this assistance and to implement regulations and development standards once adopted. • Statement of readiness to proceed on this project. • Letters of support from the directors of the public works and planning departments. Statements of interest and/or letters of support from elected officials, development organizations and community groups are helpful, but not required. Action Team staff will score proposals according to how well the proposal addresses the required information above. Assistance will be provided to local governments that receive the highest scores. 4