Urban Performance Standards

Urban runoff pollution is a leading cause that makes many lakes and streams not meeting water quality standards or water use objectives. As development occurs, surface waters and groundwater may be heavily impacted by the increase in impervious areas if improvements in treating storm water aren’t addressed. In 2002 the State of Wisconsin created the nonagricultural performance standards for construction, post-construction, and developed urban area runoff are. Subchapter III of NR 151 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code also contains the nonagricultural performance standards to transportation facility runoff, which include all roads and associated structures, as they apply to state, local, and private facility owners. The nonagricultural or urban performance standards encompass two major types of land management. The first type includes performance standards developed for areas of new development and redevelopment. This is further subdivided to include the construction phase and the post-construction (stormwater management) phase. The second type includes performance standards for developed urban areas.

A general summary of the non-agricultural performance standards, as of 2012 are:
• Control 80% of sediment from construction sites

• Control 80% of post-construction total suspended solids (TSS) from new developments and 40% from redevelopments

• Maintain pre-development peak discharge rates for the 1-year and 2-year, 24 hour design storm for new developments

• Infiltrate 90%, 75% or 60% of pre-development runoff volumes for new development with low, moderate or high imperviousness respectively

• Maintain protective areas (10-75 feet) between new impervious surfaces and lakes, streams, and wetlands

• Control petroleum runoff (visible sheen) from fueling and vehicle maintenance areas.

The complex nature of the multiple regulations and the involvement of regulatory bodies at the town, city, county, state and federal level makes comprehensive stormwater planning and treatment program a challenging task.

We all must do our part improve the quality and reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff from our downstream neighbors.

Department of Natural Resources rule NR 151 sets performance standards and prohibitions for farms. It also sets urban performance standards to control construction site erosion, manage runoff from streets and roads, and manage fertilizer use on large turf areas.

Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection rule ATCP 50 identifies conservation practices that individuals must follow to meet performance standards.