Harrisonburg gathers public input on future stormwater plans

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - On Tuesday the Harrisonburg Public Works Department hosted an Open House at City Hall to gather public input as it works toward making updates to the city’s Stormwater Improvement Plan.

“Our last plan was done in 2017 so now it’s time to reevaluate where we are and see what needs to be done. We have some goals that we need to meet through DEQ, and this plan is to help us figure out how we’re going to meet those goals in the next five years but also address some water quantity issues that we’re starting to see in the city,” said Shayna Carter, Stormwater Compliance Specialist for the Harrisonburg Public Works Department.

To meet the goal set by the DEQ Harrisonburg must reduce the amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and sediment in city waterways by 100% by 2028. It is already halfway to that goal and reaching the remaining percentage is part of the stormwater improvement plan.

The city recently conducted a survey asking residents about flooding around their homes and neighborhoods. The survey results and public input from Tuesday’s open house will be used to determine where stormwater improvement projects should happen.

“We want to hear where do you want to see these, where are you experiencing heavy flooding? Are you willing to do this on your own property through our Harrisonburg Conservation Assistance Program? Just to get feedback so we can build that into our plan,” said Carter.

The Harrisonburg Conservation Assistance Program puts best management practices on private property to help mitigate flooding and stormwater concerns. This includes practices like planting trees on a property to help take up stormwater.

“Doing your part is super important. I mean doing the little things like always picking up after your pet, that pet waste increases the nitrogen in our waterways which is a major pollutant concern for this area, or doing the bigger things like putting in permeable pavement on your property instead of having a full concrete driveway,” said Carter.

The city must use best management practices to reduce the amount of sediment runoff and other pollution in its waterways.

“The feedback from residents is super important so that these consultants can take that and use that as a determination to where the best place to put these BMPs are. So our ultimate goal is to just hear from the public, see what their concerns are, and how we can hopefully help them,” said Carter.

Anyone with questions about stormwater management in Harrisonburg can contact the public works department by emailing Stormwater@harrisonburgva.gov or calling 540-434-5928.

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