Navigating Stormwater Management Regulations

A Comprehensive Guide to Regulation Updates from Across Bohler’s Footprint

Keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of stormwater management regulations can be a daunting task for developers, owners, and land planners.

Here is a compilation of stormwater management regulation updates from various regions across our footprint, and how they impact land development.

1. Breaking Down the Latest NJDEP FHA and Stormwater Rules

The NJDEP filed the rule with the Office of Administrative Law on June 2, 2023. This means the rule will be in the July 17 New Jersey Register for final adoption and become effective as of the adoption date. This filing includes several noteworthy updates to the proposed rule, which will impact all proposed land development projects in the state of New Jersey with a few exceptions.

Here is what Bohler’s New Jersey team knows about the rule as of this article’s published date, including the latest changes.

2. Trends in Metro Atlanta’s Stormwater Management Regulations

A growing movement towards sustainable stormwater management is affecting the way many metro Atlanta municipalities interpret and enforce the current Georgia Stormwater Management Manual (GSMM) update, or the “Blue Book”. For developers, the trend adds another layer of complexity to land development because interpretations among local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) vary.

Here’s how these factors are impacting the way developers should approach land development site selection and design.

3. City of Pittsburgh Stormwater Code Update: What’s Next

Pittsburgh’s Department of City Planning (DCP) and Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) are leading efforts to create a unified City Stormwater Management Code. Throughout the process to update the code, Bohler Pittsburgh Branch Manager Michael Takacs has been engaging with the City and its consultants as a stakeholder representing the land development community, alongside key industry players and community interest groups.

4. How New Jersey’s New Stormwater Regulations Could Impact Your Project

Changes to New Jersey’s stormwater management regulations may impact your project. Among the recent updates, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requires developers to implement “green infrastructure” to manage stormwater runoff. Where developers could previously direct runoff to a single collection point, the green infrastructure mandates now require that runoff be dispersed throughout the site.

This change could impact site layout, project cost, schedule, and density. Here’s what owners and developers should be aware of regarding the new regulations and how to prepare for the ways in which it may affect development goals.

5. How NYC DEP Updates Will Impact the City’s Construction Industry

Rising population density throughout the five boroughs and increased rainfall is stretching the existing infrastructure beyond its limits. On February 15, 2022, the agency issued the Unified Stormwater Rule (USWR), which introduced new regulations regarding storm sewer connections, wastewater treatment, and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP).

For developers, these changes mean that one of the nation’s most expensive places to build could be even costlier. Here’s how recent regulation changes are impacting development decisions and budgets.

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