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multimedia examples of the applicant’s work must be postmarked or delivered by 5 PM, October 31, 2008. For information, call (314) 505.8538. EPA Stormwater Program Needs Radical Changes to Improve Urban Stream Quality According to Report. Increased water volume and pollutants from stormwater have degraded water quality and habitats in virtually every urban stream system in the United States, says a new report from the National Research Council. The committee of experts that wrote the report says, "Radical changes to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's stormwater program are necessary to reverse degradation of fresh water resources and ensure progress toward the Clean Water Act's goal of 'fishable and swimmable waters." The report says that to provide meaningful regulation, all stormwater and other wastewater discharge permits should be based on watershed boundaries instead of political boundaries. The committee recommended that EPA should adopt a watershed-based permitting system that would encompass all discharges including stormwater and wastewater which could impact waterways in a particular drainage basin, rather than having many individual permits. Responsibility and authority for implementing watershed-based permits should be centralized with a lead municipality that would work in partnership with other municipalities. In addition, lead municipalities should receive enhanced funding to compensate for increased responsibility. The EPA itself requested this assessment of its stormwater permitting program and the committee's report was sponsored by the agency. If the new regulations are implemented, we will keep Council abreast. Upcoming Meetings and Events: Monday, Oct. 27: 5:30 PM Study Session, Review Council Goals Monday, Oct. 27: 6:30 PM Council Meeting Monday, Nov. 17: 5:30 PM Study Session, State of the Economy, impact to City Budget Monday, Nov. 17: 6:30 PM Council Meeting Monday, Dec. 8: 5:30 PM Study Session, Pension Background Monday, Dec. 8: 6:30 PM Council Meeting Monday, January 5: 5:30 PM Study Session, Pension Follow UP Monday, January 5: 6:30 PM Council Meeting * Topics subject to change as schedules require. Attachments: PW Week-In-Review EW Gateway Grant Award Update Fire Safety Award Notice County Bid Award for Midland, Big Bend & Hanley Mayor’s Round Table Flyer Barbara Jordon Barnes & Nobel Flyer October 27 City Council Agenda Supplement October 27 Study Session Agenda October 27 Executive Session Agenda Flood Information County Legislative Affairs Committee Update Sutter Meyer Strategic Plan Update News Clippings