Highway Advisory Commission
Stormwater Enterprise Task Force
Stormwater is the water from rain and snowmelt that runs across the surface of the ground rather than soaking in. During and following heavy rainfall and spring snowmelt runoff, flooding and erosion are major problems. Stormwater can also pick up sediments and other pollutants as it runs off, contaminating streams and lakes. Stormwater is not treated before it drains into these waterbodies. Building houses and roads reduces the area where stormwater can soak in, so more water runs off even more quickly increasing the problems.
Stormwater management issues have become critical in the region, especially over the last 20 years of population growth. During this time, previous existing drainage-related problems have worsened. Funding, and programs to address the problems from a long-term perspective, have been inadequate.
The need for stormwater infrastructure is elemental to providing for public safety and property protection. This need is further justified per county policy and water quality permitting, as well as new state and federal regulations. In addition, El Paso County has a current backlog of drainage infrastructure, including identified capital projects and drainage maintenance, estimated at $100 million dollars. Master plans for drainage basins are outdated by over 20 years in over half the studied basins. Less than a quarter of all basins have been studied.
The El Paso County Commissioners asked for citizens to provide input to the Highway Advisory Commission so they might make a recommendation to the Board at a future date. You are welcome to attend any or all of these meetings.
The first meeting was held from 7:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at the El Paso County Department of Transportation facility located at 3460 Marksheffel Road. The Highway Advisory Commission Stormwater Enterprise Task Force will continue to meet on the first Tuesday of each month at the same time and location.
All members of the public are invited to attend and learn about the issues, and provide input.
Below are materials from the first meeting. We will update this page on a regular basis. If you have any questions regarding these meetings, please contact Pamela Podhirny at 719-520-6812, or by email at PamelaPodhirny@elpasoco.com.
Meeting Notice
Agenda – 8/2/05
County Stormwater Management
Drainage Basin Map of El Paso County (large pdf)
Task Force Roles and Meeting Process
Stormwater Management 101
Stormwater Funding
