Official Site - Town of Black Mountain, NC

Town of Black Mountain Stormwater Program

For program information contact Elizabeth Teague: elizabeth.teague@townofblackmountain.org;
(828) 669-9784
To report a discharge to streams contact Jerry Atkins:
Jerry.atkins@townofblackmountain.org; (828) 669-0079
Black Mountain is a participant in the WNC Stormwater Partnership. This is a regional effort to coordinate stormwater education and management efforts

Adopted Stormwater Documents
Stormwater Ordinance Fee Schedule Plan Checklist Permit Information
Permit Application Impervious Estimator Tool

Stormwater is rainfall or snowmelt that runs off the ground or impervious surfaces like roofs, roads and parking lots. Runoff may contain pollutants such as sediment, oil and grease, fertilizers, heavy metals and other toxic materials which can diminish the water quality of streams.
The Clean Water Act created the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to track and control sources of water pollution.
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), and its Division of Water Quality (DWQ) implement the NPDES System for North Carolina by issuing permits to Towns such as Black Mountain.
Black Mountain’s NPDES Permit requires the Town to implement 6 Minimum Measures as part of a stormwater management plan:
1. Public education & outreach
2. Public involvement & participation
3. Detect & eliminate illicit discharges
4. Reduce pollutants from construction sites
5. Manage post-construction stormwater runoff
6. Pollution prevention / good housekeeping

Buncombe County is not subject to Phase II requirements and the 6 minimum measures, but recently adopted stormwater regulations for managing stormwater after construction because of existing problems and conditions.

Black Mountain is developing local regulations that meet the NPDES requirements based on a model ordinance provided by the State. Information on NPDES requirements and local regulations can be found at: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us

Key Terms (adapted from the “Phase II Stormwater Model Ordinance” (9-07-05) by Kane and Whisnant):

Built-upon area (BUA): That portion of a development project that is covered by impervious or partially impervious surface including, but not limited to, buildings; pavement and gravel areas such as roads, parking lots, and paths; and recreation facilities such as tennis courts. “Built-upon area” does not include a wooden slatted deck, the water area of a swimming pool, or pervious or partially pervious paving material to the extent that the paving material absorbs water or allows water to infiltrate through the paving material.

Design Manual: The stormwater design manual approved for use in Phase II jurisdictions by DWQ. Note: The State has a Design Manual or jurisdictions may choose to develop their own.

Development: Any land disturbing activity which adds to or changes the amount of impervious or partially pervious cover on a land area or which otherwise decreases the infiltration of precipitation into the soil, other than rebuilding activity that does not qualify as redevelopment.

1-year, 24-hour storm: The surface runoff resulting from a 24-hour rainfall of an intensity expected to be equaled or exceeded, on average, once in 12 months and with a duration of 24 hours. Engineers run calculations based on slope, impervious surface and rainfall to determine what type of structures or management systems must be designed to a certain amount of rainfall on-site, rather than just letting that rainfall run-off the impervious surfaces.

Storm drains: Collect run-off from streets and parking lots and carry stormwater to streams. Do not block, barricade storm drains and do not dump any chemicals or trash into them.

Structural BMP (Best Management Practice): A physical device designed to trap, settle out, or filter pollutants from stormwater runoff; to alter or reduce stormwater runoff velocity, amount, timing, or other characteristics; to approximate the pre-development hydrology on a developed site; or to achieve any combination of these goals. Structural BMP includes physical practices such as constructed wetlands, vegetative practices, filter strips, grassed swales, and other methods installed or created on real property. “Structural BMP” is synonymous with “structural practice”, “stormwater control facility,” “stormwater control practice,” “stormwater treatment practice,” “stormwater management practice,” “stormwater control measures,” “structural stormwater treatment systems,” and similar terms used.

Non-Structural BMP: A practice, activity or policy that supports or helps to implement any of the six minimum measures of a community’s stormwater management plan. This could include public educations efforts, maintaining a website, permitting procedures, or maintenance and “housekeeping” procedures

Look for these markers on your local storm drains and help to keep them free of leaves, trash, and other debris!