Storm Water Management Authority: Difference between revisions
(New page: The '''Jefferson County Storm Water Management Authority''' ('''SWMA ''') was formed in 1995 to coordinate efforts by local governments to comply with the monitoring requirements of th...) |
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During [[2007]], following a rescinded proposal to increase its assessments, the cities of [[Bessemer]], [[Hoover]], [[Graysville]], [[Fultondale]], and [[Leeds]] withdrew from the authority and instituted independent monitoring. [[Jefferson County]] and the cities of [[Homewood]], [[Irondale]] and [[Mountain Brook]] considered leaving, but determined that it was less expensive to remain with the authority. | During [[2007]], following a rescinded proposal to increase its assessments, the cities of [[Bessemer]], [[Hoover]], [[Graysville]], [[Fultondale]], and [[Leeds]] withdrew from the authority and instituted independent monitoring. [[Jefferson County]] and the cities of [[Homewood]], [[Irondale]] and [[Mountain Brook]] considered leaving, but determined that it was less expensive to remain with the authority. | ||
In January [[2008]] environmental engineering firm [[Malcolm Pirnie Inc.]] successfully lobbied the [[Birmingham City Council]] to remove itself from the SWMA. The | In January [[2008]] environmental engineering firm [[Malcolm Pirnie Inc.]] successfully lobbied the [[Birmingham City Council]] to remove itself from the SWMA. In May the same company was chosen from among two bidders to provide monitoring services for the city. The SWMA's loss of $750,000 annually from Birmingham (40% of the its total assessments) is likely to cause the authority to dissolve. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Spencer, Thomas (January 10, 2008) "Firm that gave $8,000 to Larry Langford wants role in managing storm water runoff." ''Birmingham News''. | * Spencer, Thomas (January 10, 2008) "Firm that gave $8,000 to Larry Langford wants role in managing storm water runoff." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Bryant, Joseph D. (May 29, 2008) "Birmingham City Council committee recommends replacing Storm Water Management Authority with environmental engineering firm Malcolm Pirnie Inc." ''Birmingham News'' | |||
[[Category:Jefferson County|Storm Water]] | [[Category:Jefferson County|Storm Water]] | ||
Revision as of 19:11, 29 May 2008
The Jefferson County Storm Water Management Authority (SWMA ) was formed in 1995 to coordinate efforts by local governments to comply with the monitoring requirements of the federal Clean Water Act. It was originally constituted by 22 municipalities in Jefferson County and granted the authority to collect an assessment of $5 per residence and $15 per business from each member city to fund its operations. The chairman of the authority is Trussville mayor Gene Melton.
The activities of the SWMA have been criticized by a coalition of businesses and developers calling itself the Business Alliance for Responsible Development (BARD).
During 2007, following a rescinded proposal to increase its assessments, the cities of Bessemer, Hoover, Graysville, Fultondale, and Leeds withdrew from the authority and instituted independent monitoring. Jefferson County and the cities of Homewood, Irondale and Mountain Brook considered leaving, but determined that it was less expensive to remain with the authority.
In January 2008 environmental engineering firm Malcolm Pirnie Inc. successfully lobbied the Birmingham City Council to remove itself from the SWMA. In May the same company was chosen from among two bidders to provide monitoring services for the city. The SWMA's loss of $750,000 annually from Birmingham (40% of the its total assessments) is likely to cause the authority to dissolve.
References
- Spencer, Thomas (January 10, 2008) "Firm that gave $8,000 to Larry Langford wants role in managing storm water runoff." Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (May 29, 2008) "Birmingham City Council committee recommends replacing Storm Water Management Authority with environmental engineering firm Malcolm Pirnie Inc." Birmingham News