Public participation is a vital component of any successful stormwater management plan. Public participation builds on community capital - the wealth of interested citizens and groups - to help spread the message of stormwater pollution prevention, to undertake group activities that highlight storm drain pollution, and to contribute volunteer community actions to restore and protect local water resources. The Huron River Watershed Council developed a Public Participation Plan (pdf) on behalf of the City of Ann Arbor and other watershed stormwater permit partners. The plan outlines the steps partners will take to solicit input from the public. A variety of opportunities for public participation in water resource and stormwater issues are listed below.
Public Meetings
Upcoming Meetings
None scheduled at this time.
Past Meetings
Public Meeting on Proposed Stormwater Code Change
The Malletts Creek Coordinating Committee and City of Ann Arbor staff hosted a public meeting to present and discuss a proposal to amend the City’s stormwater ordinance on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 at 7:00 pm in City Hall Council Chambers, Second floor, 100 N. Fifth Ave. in Ann Arbor. The proposed Stormwater Code Change was approved by Ann Arbor City Council Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010.
In August 2007, City Council charged the Malletts Creek Coordinating Committee with prioritizing and implementing the April 2007 Watershed Recommendations of the Malletts Creek Association, a citizens group, in resolution R-393-8-07. Proposal for code change resulted from those recommendations.
The code amendment requires control of stormwater runoff from the “first flush” storm event on single and two-family residential property when adding 200 square feet or more of impervious area. The “first flush” is the runoff from the first ½ inch of rain during any storm event. The new requirement only applies to the increase in impervious area.
Since approximately 40 percent of the entire land area in the City of Ann Arbor is zoned for single-family and two-family uses, the potential to reduce the negative impacts of stormwater runoff for the entire community is great compared to the minimal effort envisioned for property owners.
The following meeting materials are available:
If you have any questions, please contact Stormwater and Floodplain Programs Coordinator, Jerry Hancock, at (734) 794-6430 ext. 43709, or jhancock@a2gov.org.
Completed Management Plans
In Progress Management Plans
- Urban Forest Management Plan - will be used to educate the public on the importance of trees to stormwater management, and to priortize projects that will increase the city's tree canopy and reduce stormwater runoff. The plan will be developed with extensive public involvement and engagement. Check the Urban Forest Management Plan webpage for more information and to get involved.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Natural Area Preservation - help maintain Ann Arbor's high quality natural areas, or get involved in local population monitoring efforts for frogs, toads, mudpuppies, and more!
- Adopt-a-Stream Program - monitor the Huron River and its tributaries for aquatic insects and measure water quality with the Huron River Watershed Council.
Updated: November 12, 2010