In the fall of 2002 the Town and Village of Victor were notified by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) that a portion of the town and village would be covered under what is called an MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by NYSDEC.
The criteria for designation as an MS4 is population density and the permit area is a corridor along NYS Route 96 from Eastview Mall to the Victor Farmington Town Line and includes the Village of Victor. However, the entire Town of Victor is covered under MS4 regulations by the adoption of a town-wide drainage program.
Over a five-year period, following notification of coverage, the town and village are required to implement a stormwater management program (SWMP) to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Environmental Conservation Law and Clean Water Act.
Development within the town and village increases the amount of impervious surfaces, which leads to an increase in runoff and runoff borne pollutants. These pollutants are deposited from the atmosphere, for example they leak from vehicles or are windblown from adjacent areas. During storm events these pollutants quickly wash off and are rapidly delivered to downstream waters. Pollutants of concern include, but are not limited to suspended solids, trace heavy metals, hydrocarbons (oil and grease), nutrients (phosphorous and nitrogen), pesticides, and chlorides (road salt).
The MS4 permit requires the town and village to develop, implement, and enforce a stormwater management program to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the permit area to the maximum extent practicable to protect water quality.
The town and village are required to provide an annual report to NYSDEC summarizing progress made on reaching the goals of the permit in six minimum measure areas. The six areas are:
Public Education and Outreach
Public Involvement and Participation
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
Post - Construction Stormwater Management
Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
The town has revised the design and construction standards for land development to include the requirements of the NYSDEC Phase II Stormwater Management Program.
The town has also implemented local laws to comply with the NYSDEC requirements, which can be found in the town code. Chapter 175 addresses illicit discharge and connection to stormwater facilities. Chapter 177 addresses stormwater management and erosion and sediment control.