Metropolitan Dade County created a countywide Stormwater Utility in June 1991 to serve as a dedicated funding source for stormwater management. The creation of the Utility was a direct response to federal and State mandates that required local governments to adopt comprehensive stormwater management programs. Under Dade County's Home Rule Charter, all municipalities were given two years to either join the unincorporated area Stormwater Utility or create their own in accordance with standards set by the County.

The City of Hialeah joined the County program in 1992 through a five-year interlocal agreement in which the City retained control over Utility administration, management, staffing and stormwater user fee billing within the City. A copy of this agreement can found in Appendix HIA-1. The City hired a Stormwater Utility Manager in January 1993 and staff shortly thereafter. The first goal of this new City program was to establish the stormwater user fee billing system and generate the necessary funding for stormwater management. User fee billing began in late June 1993.

The foundation of the City of Hialeah's NPDES Stormwater Management Program and an important element of the Hialeah/Metro Dade interlocal agreement is the development of a City comprehensive stormwater master plan. Development of the stormwater master plan is, at the minimum, in accordance with criteria set forth for the development of Dade County's stormwater master plan as approved by the South Florida Water District.

A unique part of the City's master plan development is the jointly funded Master Plan Pilot Project. This pilot project is unique in the sense that it is an all-inclusive approach to developing guidelines for the citywide stormwater master plan. It provides the necessary engineering evaluation, land surveying, planning and design that culminate in project construction with BMP evaluation. The establishment of baseline information to define the existing storm sewer system infrastructure and area topography for pilot project area is of particular importance in establishing data collection guidelines for future planning and design. Stormwater discharge characterization data obtained from NPDES Part 2 submittal process was an important input to plan development in its early stages.

The City solicited the South Florida Water Management District’s participation in the first part of planning effort as a means of insuring that the City's master plan complies with local and State regulatory agency requirements. This approach also insured that BMP construction funds are available during the first years of stormwater user fee billing when actual revenues are being realized and an overall program direction, that is based upon a known and dedicated financial resource, is being finalized. There is also benefit to be gained from showing those who pay the stormwater user fees, early in the program, that their money is being spent in a well planned and comprehensive manner.

Metropolitan Dade County, pursuant to the provisions of its Home Rule Charter, has countywide regulatory jurisdiction for environmental protection. These powers are defined in Chapter 24 of the Metropolitan Dade County Code - a copy of which was included in the County's NPDES Part 1 submittal. Minimum standards are set for surface and groundwater discharges, water control, drainage, flood control, water conservation and prevention of saltwater intrusion. The County, through its Department of Environmental Resources Management, DERM, has a well-proven track record of enforcing the provisions of Chapter 24. Stormwater infrastructure engineering plan review is also an important part of this countywide regulatory responsibility.

The various regulatory programs established under the authority of Chapter 24 are supported, in part, by various facility annual operating permit fees, plan review fees and annual Utility Service Fees which, by law, fund various surface and groundwater monitoring and protection programs. The City of Hialeah relies upon the County for needed enforcement activity in return for this financial support. Consequently, the enforcement aspect of the City's stormwater management plan centers on long-term intergovernmental cooperation and coordination. The City of Hialeah conducts enforcement activity needed under Building and Zoning regulations.

The City's stormwater management plan places emphasis on illicit discharge detection and removal in regard to its overall monitoring activities. Characterization for the Part 2 submittal cost the City $250,000.00 for five CPS's under contract with the County. There are a minimal total number of outfalls in the City - 252 of which 72 drain City right-of-ways. In view of the significant cost for this characterization and its potential broad applicability throughout the City, a proactive field screening program to support illicit discharge removal is the most cost effective and productive approach to take as NPDES permit programs.

The City originally mapped its drainage system in its Graphic Information System in 1994 in support of the Stormwater master plan development. This effort has continued as new drainage infrastructure has been built.

The comprehensive stormwater master plan recommends additional structural controls in the form of BMP's and expected BMP pollutant load reductions. Existing road and drainage system maintenance practices were also evaluated and recommendations made after the system inventory are completed. A water quality monitoring and investigative procedure manual was a deliverable in the master plan contract.

A swale control program is important to the overall stormwater management effort in the City of Hialeah. Paved swales are numerous in residential areas. This program's importance was highlighted in the stormwater master plan with the hope of gaining the necessary support needed for its implementation.

Existing environmental protection programs mandated by Chapter 24 of the Metropolitan Dade County Code require operating permits, frequent inspections by trained County staff, and unusual event reporting at all industrial facilities, hazardous waste facilities and landfills on a countywide basis. Construction sites require dewatering permits, storm sewer inlet protection, and surface water protection devices such as silt screens. These activities, as addressed in the guidance manual for the NPDES Part 2 application, are primarily the responsibility of the Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management under County Code. Given the minimal slopes, low ground elevations, and low potential for future large-scale development in highly urbanized Hialeah, these existing construction site control measures are considered sufficient with proper enforcement.

The City of Hialeah supplements these efforts in its storm sewer inspection and monitoring program. Violation and enforcement activities will be in accordance with existing City/County coordination procedures.

New developments and redevelopment are required to meet the aforementioned County standards for right-of-way and on-site drainage standards. The City of Hialeah Streets Division reviews right-of-way drainage plans and issues construction permits. These projects are inspected for permit compliance by the Streets Division inspector and record drawings, sealed by a registered engineer or surveyor, are required. Building and Zoning approves and inspects on-site drainage. Sealed record drawings are also required by B & Z prior to the release of a Certificate of Occupancy. All positive drainage systems must be approved and inspected by DERM.

In summary, both structural and source controls exist now in the form of County and City Code requirements that address both environmental and flood control concerns. The City of Hialeah built upon this foundation as its stormwater management plan developed along with its comprehensive stormwater master plan. BMP alternative selection and evaluation methodology determinations are part of the comprehensive master planning process.