Clark County is implementing new requirements for school districts to qualify for a waiver from the Clean Water Program stormwater fee. The prior practice has been for school districts to submit an annual report outlining environmental education expenses to qualify for this waiver. The new requirements (listed below) have been reviewed and approved for implementation by the Board of Clark County Commissioners. The proposed change involves more “action” by the schools to enhance the functioning of their stormwater facilities and to quantify their student educational activities regarding water quality issues. All schools will have the opportunity to have all or a portion of the Clean Water fee waived by completing defined activities.

All three of the waiver criteria must be met for an individual school to receive a waiver of its Clean Water fee.

Waiver Criteria:

1) Best Management Practice (BMP) trainings shall be conducted annually with key District staff (Facilities, Grounds Maintenance, Custodial, Vehicle Maintenance). BMPs shall be implemented and incorporated with all stormwater maintenance activities on an on-going basis. Annual training shall be completed by July of any given year to be included with the tax roll information.

2) Any and all stormwater facilities located on school property shall pass an inspection conducted by Clark County. Any deficiencies noted in the inspection shall be corrected within a time frame designated with the inspection. All corrections shall be completed by July of any given year to be included with the tax roll information.

3) Individual schools shall complete the Water Environmental Category in the Washington Green Schools program. Verification of the competed category shall be received by July of any given year to be included with the tax roll information. Districts may elect to participate in another environmental certification program with prior approval by the Environmental Services Director.

Phased In Fee Waiver Criteria Implementation Schedule

(Note: all criteria listed must be complete to receive fee waiver)
Timeline	Activity
2012-13 School Year
By July 2013	Best Management Practice (BMP) trainings (to be conducted annually)
By July 2013	All stormwater facilities located on school property pass an inspection conducted by Clark County Environmental Services.  Any deficiencies noted in the inspection shall be corrected within a timeframe designated with the inspection.
2013-14 School Year
By July 2014	Best Management Practice (BMP) trainings (to be conducted annually)
By July 2014	All stormwater facilities located on school property pass an inspection conducted by Clark County Environmental Services.  Any deficiencies noted in the inspection shall be corrected within a timeframe designated with the inspection.
By July 2014	County schools verified as completing the Water Environmental Category in the Washington Green Schools program.

 

 

For more information on the school fee waiver program, contact:
Pete Dubois, Sustainability and Outreach Program Coordinator
Clark County Environmental Services
P.O. Box 9810
Vancouver, WA 98666-9810
(360) 397-2121, ext. 4961
pete.dubois@clark.wa.gov