Please see original request

SCormier assigned this issue to SCormier

Issue acknowledged - unable to sweep until snow is gone and weather is warmer

There is a reason the City typically doesn't sweep until AFTER Winter

Is it true that the city's streets have not been systematically swept ("Operation Clean Sweep") since the spring of 2016? And if not, why not?

You can hear the crickets

It is interesting that the discharge permit for the city's streets requires documentation of street sweeping. And the city has agreed to carry out this procedure. Perhaps at next renewal, the state will need to REQUIRE documentation of city's TIMING of sweeping relative to leaf accumulation:

http://www.gfredlee.com/Nutrients/CowenLeavesP.pdf

This was swept as part of Operation Clean Sweep between 10:00 PM, May 3, and 8:00 AM, May 4 - this issue is closed.

Can DPW answer OldVtr's question?

Open

Issue acknowledged. Forwarding to DPW.

I will go to look at this drain this afternoon. If there is a blockage I will follow up with our streets team to have it cleaned with the Vac-Con.

Hi OldVtr,
We do have to require documentation of how we are meeting the requirements of our MS4 Authorization each year to the state. We submitted our report for Calendar Year 2016 last month, and that should be publically available on Vermont DEC's website in the next few weeks.

As far as Phosphorous from leaves goes, this is an issue that we are aware of and actively working on with the streets team to address through cleanup in the fall. We have reviewed similar policies in other cities related to leaf cleanup and timing, and will be working to implement these practices in Burlington.

I am happy to answer any other questions you may have related to the City's MS4 Discharge Permit - or any other questions you may have about stormwater. I can be reached at jcalvi@burlingtonvt.gov.

Otherwise, this area has been cleaned up and the catch basin in question is on the list for replacement in the next few years.

-Jenna

Jenna--

Thanks for your review of this issue and your posting. I think you will find this community of citizens very supportive in helping you in your position as point person in our DPW to advocate Burlington's reduction of nutrient transport into the lake. I hope you agree that a gram of prevention is worth 454 grams of cure--the prevention being keeping nutrients out; the cure being enhanced nutrient removal after entering the drain.

One way we'll know we're on a better course is when we see a timely clean sweep of leaves in the fall.

Thanks again--

Old Vtr

Thanks Jenna.

This issue is closed.