Best Management Practices for Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping

Stormwater Best Management Practices

Federal and state programs require communities to reduce the discharge of pollutants in their stormwater discharges to the maximum extent practicable using an array of control measures including Best Management Practices (BMPs). The City of East Lansing’s specific requirements for developing and implementing BMPS are outlined in the City's current Individual NPDES permit as issued by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

The City of East Lansing will continue to develop, revise and implement BMPs as new NPDES permits are issued and circumstances arise.

The City of East Lansing has continually acknowledged its commitment to reducing the discharge of pollutants to the waters of the State as part of the original action items listed in the Red Cedar River and Looking Glass River Watershed Management Plans as well as in the City’s original Stormwater Pollution Prevention Initiatives plan (SWPPI). This commitment remains paramount under the City's current Stormwater Management Program and as part of the City's implementation plan for addressing "Good Housekeeping and Best Management Practices."


Good Housekeeping & Pollution Prevention for Municipal Activities

The Greater Lansing Regional Committee (GLRC) for Stormwater Management developed a manual entitled Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention for Municipal Activities, September 2007, to provide general guidance for selecting and implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce pollutants in runoff from municipal operations.

The handbook provides a framework for an informed selection of BMPs for the development and implementation of a program.

The GLRC handbook was adopted by the City of East Lansing and is being used as the basis for developing, assessing and implementing the City of East Lansing’s own BMP Program.

City of East Lansing Best Management Practices

The following factors are considered by the City of East Lansing in deciding which BMPs are practicable:
  • Pollutant Removal - Will the BMP remove (or control) the pollutant(s) of concern?
  • Regulatory Compliance - Is the BMP compatible with stormwater regulations as well as other regulations for air, hazardous wastes, solid waste disposal, groundwater protection, etc.?
  • Public Acceptance - Does the BMP have public support?
  • Implementation - Is the BMP compatible with land uses, facilities, or activities in question?
  • Cost - Will the cost for implementing the BMP significantly exceed the pollution control benefits? Does a revenue stream exist for ongoing maintenance?
  • Technical Feasibility - Is the BMP technically feasible considering soils, geography, water resources, etc.