Update: The stormwater and Impervious Surfaces Ordinance passed at the full Board of County Commissioners on September 4! Thank you for your support.

The intense rains and flooding emergency of the last few weeks shown our county is in dire need of improvements to how we manage stormwater. The National Weather Service estimates more than 20 inches of rain fell in some areas of North Dade. Our system is currently not equipped to handle these extreme rain events, and continued paving of natural green space increases the volume of water entering the stormwater system, contributing to flooding.  

As impervious surface area expands, rainwater gathers on concrete and other man-made surfaces, collecting pollutants before flowing into our stormwater system, canals, and eventually Biscayne Bay. June's extreme rain event and the accumulation of chemical and bacterial in untreated runoff combined with high summer temperatures to cause a fish kill in North Biscayne Bay (read more here).

A new comprehensive impervious surfaces ordinance will relieve the growing pressure on overwhlemed stormwater systems by reducing the volume of water flowing into the stormwater system, promoting green infrastructure solutions for stormwater management, and improving Biscayne Bay water quality. This legislation overhauls Miami-Dade's stormwater management policies to standardize drainage and pump systems countywide, creating better coordination between municipalities within the county. It will also provide for procedures to evaluate systemwide effectiveness in reducing flooding and impacts on water quality in the Bay. The item also amends sections of county code to reduce incidences of flooding and water quality impacts from new development and construction. Read the entire ordinance here (summary on pages 12-17).

Send an email to Commissioners before they meet on Wednesday September 4 urging them to support the Stormwater and Impervious Surfaces Ordinance when it comes before the full BCC this fall. It's time to tackle the county's flooding problems and conserve our dwindling green space.

Above: Gulfstream Casino parking lot following June's rain bomb. Impervious surfaces prevent water from filtering into the ground and cause water to pool on the surface exposed to contaminants.