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Town of Navassa
"People working for People"
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Environmental & Stormwater Advisory
Committee:
Gregory Westfield, Chairman
Dorsey Jones Jr., Vice Chairman
Eulis Willis, Ex Officio
Ella Beatty
John Klein
The Town of Navassa has formed an Environmental & Stormwater
Advisory Committee that will help the town develop a new Stormwater
Ordinance as part of the requirements of the town's NPDES Phase II
Permit. The Environmental & Stormwater Advisory Committee will also
be responsible for helping the town create future educational and
environmental programs, such as recycling. All of the committee's
meetings are open to the public at 5:30 PM are held quarterly at the
Navassa Town Hall. Below are the committee members.
Stormwater
WHAT IS IT?
Stormwater is the rainwater from a storm event and is a natural part of the hydrologic
cycle. In a natural environment, most stormwater infiltrates into the ground or makes its
way to the atmosphere through evaporation or plant transpiration. A small amount,
usually around 10%, flows over the land to waterbodies. In developed environments,
impervious surfaces such as streets, parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, and rooftops
alter the natural cycle and prevent much of the stormwater from infiltrating or
transpiring. Instead, as much as half of stormwater flows over the ground as stormwater
runoff and infiltration is significantly reduced.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Stormwater runoff collects pollutants such as fertilizer, oil and grease, and pet waste and
carries them to streams, creeks, rivers, and other bodies of water. Increased development
means increased pollution in waterbodies.
Stormwater runoff is conveyed to waterbodies untreated. It is a common misconception that
storm drains and sewers flow to sanitary sewers and that stormwater is treated at the
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wastewater treatment plant on Royster Road before being discharged. Stormwater systems
are separate from wastewater systems and stormwater is not treated before it reaches our
waterways.
In coastal North Carolina, our waterbodies are the primary source of water for public water
systems. In Navassa, if you get your water from the Town, Brunswick County, or the North
Brunswick Sanitary District, your water comes from the Cape Fear River, where all our
stormwater eventually drains.
Impervious surfaces such as streets, parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, and rooftops
prevent stormwater infiltration, also known as groundwater recharge. Groundwater is the
primary water source for residents who are not connected to public water systems and a
reduction in groundwater can make wells run dry.
Impervious surfaces increase the the quantity of stormwater runoff and the speed at which
it reaches creeks and streams. This can create significant flooding along waterbodies and in
roadways and yards during major storms and can cause major damage to property and can
even threaten lives.
Pollutants in stormwater can create fish kills and can cause shellfishing closures. Currently,
all waters around Navassa are closed to shellfishing due largely to bacteria washed into the
waterways by stormwater runoff.
Polluted waterways degrade habitat for wildlife, reducing species available for hunting and
fishing.
The shortnose sturgeon is one example of an endangered species in our area that is affected
by pollution of our waterways.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME?
Because stormwater is such an important issue, the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
have mandated that communities near certain urban areas manage their stormwater. The
Town of Navassa is required to participate in the National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II program. Therefore, the Town has adopted a
Stormwater Management Plan that includes many public education elements. This
website is one attempt to educate you, the residents of Navassa, about stormwater
requirements and how you can help improve its quality and quantity.
STORMWATER REQUIREMENTS
Currently, Navassa property owners who wish to develop or disturb more than one acre of
land are required to get, in addition to Town and County permits, a Stormwater Permit from
NC DENR. By March of 2009, the Town will be responsible for adopting a Stormwater
Ordinance and administering its own stormwater permitting program.
TIPS FOR IMPROVING STORMWATER
Do not mow stormwater ditches. Vegetation in stormwater ditches slows
down the speed that water moves in the system. Slower stormwater means
more infiltration can occur and reduces the risk of erosion of ditch banks.
Taller and more robust vegetation is more effective at slowing the velocity
of stormwater than mowed grasses and vegetation. Also, taller vegetation
is usually healthier and less prone to disease and will better resist erosion.
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Keep stormwater drains and ditches clean of debris and trash. Debris like
limbs and leaves can clog storm ditches, drains, and culverts, preventing
proper stormwater drainage and causing yards and streets to flood. Trash
can also clog stormwater drainage systems, and it can pollute stormwater
and litter creeks and streams.
Collect pet waste. Pet and human waste in stormwater are a leading cause
of the bacteria that cause shellfishing closures and beach closures. Already,
the waters around Navassa are closed to shellfishing. Picking up after pets
may help improve water quality to one day permit shellfishing again. Or it
may at least prevent water quality from degrading further and closing
Navassa's rivers and streams to human contact.
Reduce or eliminate the use of fertilizer. Lawn and garden fertilizer contains
high levels of nitrogen, a primary pollutant in stormwater that causes algal
blooms and fish kills. When using fertilizers, make sure to read the
instructions and do not use more than is recommended. Another option is
to use native plants in landscaping. Native plants are drought resistant and
typically require no fertilizer to thrive in our climate.
Ensure proper septic system function. For residents on septic systems,
proper septic function is critical for protecting water quality. Failed septic
systems not only pollute stormwater that drains to creeks and streams,
they also can pollute groundwater and nearby wells that rely on
groundwater for home water use. Perform routine maintenance on your
system and immediately notify Town Hall if your septic system fails.
Help protect against stormwater pollution by
construct a residential rain garden. See the
flyer for more information
Residental Rain Garden
Flyer
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Navassa Stormwater Hotline
910-371-2432
If you have questions or concerns regarding
stormwater issues within the Town of Navassa call
the hotline number above and ask to speak with the
Town Planner and Stormwater Administrator.
NC Department of Environment &
Natural Resources STOP MUD
Hotline 1-866-STOPMUD (786-
7683)
Erosion caused by stormwater runoff from construction and
development activities is another major source of pollution in
our local waterways. If you observe any erosion or
sedimentation problems in Navassa please call the STOP MUD
hotline listed above to report them to the NC DENR.
Public Comments
The Town of Navassa encourages residents to comment
on stormwater facilities within the community. If you
have any comments or concerns regarding any
stormwater facility in the community, please fill out the
form to the right.
Stormwater Comment Form
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Report Illicit Discharges
Illicit discharges are any discharges into the stormwater drain
system that are NOT composed entirely of stormwater. Illicit
discharges are a problem because, unlike wastewater which
flows to a wastewater treatment plant, stormwater flows
directly into our rivers and streams. Pollutant levels from
illicit discharges have been shown in EPA studies to be high
enough to significantly degrade water quality and threaten
aquatic, wildlife, and human health. For more information on
illicit discharges and how to detect them, click on the EPA
document to the right.
Examples of Illicit Discharges
Sanitary wastewater
Septic tank leaks
Improper disposal of oil
Improper disposal of radiator fluid
Wastewater from washing machines
Spills from roadway accidents
Improper disposal of household chemicals
Illicit Discharges are NOT
Firefighting activities or water line flushing
Lawn watering
Water from car washing
Streetwash water
Foundation Drains
Illicit Discharge Report
Form
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EPA Illicit Discharge
Information
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The link above provides a form to report
any illicit discharges you see and the link
below provides more information about
illicit discharging.
Stormwater Ordinance and Design Manuals:
On December 16, 2010, the Town Council adopted the Town of
Navassa Phase II Stormwater Ordinance. Click on the PDF
document to the right to download a copy of the ordinance.
In order to determine the appropriate design of stormater BMPs,
the town utilizes the policy, criteria, and information, including
technical specifications and standards, in the most recent version
of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality Stormwater Best
Management Practices Design Manual or the Brunswick County,
North Carolina Low Impact Development (LID) Guidance Manual
(Collectively the Design Manuals) as the basis for decisions about
stormwater permits and about the design, implementation and
performance of structural and non-structural stormwater BMPs.
However, when there is a conflict between the NC Division of
Phase II Stormwater
Ordinance
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16-2010.pdf)
Brunswick County LID
Manual
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Water Quality Stormwater Best Management Practices Design
Manual and the Brunswick County, NC Low Impact Development
(LID) Guidance Manual, the more stringent standards shall apply.
Please contact the Planning Department with any questions you
may have and to verify that you have the most updated versions
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Town of Navassa Stormwater
Permit Application
Stormwater Permit
Application
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Town of Navassa
Stormwater Documents:
Click on the links below to download copies of
Navassa stormwater documents.
Town of Navassa Phase II
Stormwater Implementation
Plan 2007
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Town of Navassa Phase II
Stormwater Permit No.
NCS000518
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Navassa Stormwater
Information Pamphlet
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For More Information
Stormwater Education and Facts:
NC DENR Stormwater and Runoff
Pollution Education Program
(//www.ncstormwater.org/pages/publicpa
ge.html)Local Endangered Species:
The shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) is listed as an
endangered species and is known to have a habitat range that
includes our local waters. Stormwater runoff is one of the major
sources of pollution in our waterways so it is important that we all do
our part to help prevent the extinction of the shortnose sturgeon by
working together to stop unnecessary stormwater pollution. The link
below takes you to more information about the shortnose sturgeon.
Click on the image below to find out more about them.
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334 Main Street
Navasssa, NC 28451
Phone: (910) - 371 - 2432
Fax: (910) - 371 - 0041
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