Watershed Brochure

NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permitting program in two phases. Phase I, promulgated in 1990, addresses the following sources:
"Large" and "medium" municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) located in incorporated places and counties with populations of 100,000 or more, and Eleven categories of industrial activity, one of which is large construction activity that disturbs 5 or more acres of land.

Phase II, promulgated in 1999, addresses additional sources, including MS4s not regulated under Phase I, and small construction activity disturbing between 1 and 5 acres.
In October 2000, EPA authorized the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to implement the NPDES stormwater permitting program in the State of Florida (in all areas except Indian Country lands). DEP's authority to administer the NPDES program is set forth in Section 403.0885, Florida Statutes (F.S.). The NPDES stormwater program regulates point source discharges of stormwater into surface waters of the State of Florida from certain municipal, industrial and construction activities. As the NPDES stormwater permitting authority, DEP is responsible for promulgating rules and issuing permits, managing and reviewing permit applications, and performing compliance and enforcement activities.

Important note:
The NPDES stormwater permitting program is separate from the State's stormwater/environmental resource permitting programs authorized by Part IV, Chapter 373, F.S. (593 KB) and implemented by DEP and the water management districts using these rules, and from local stormwater/water quality programs, which have their own regulations and permitting requirements.
The sources of stormwater discharges regulated under the NPDES program fall into three categories.

CRS/LMS

CRS /LMS and Flood Plain Management The City of Belleair Bluffs is currently a participant in the Community Rating System (CRS). The Community Rating System is an incentive program that encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) requirements. Flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the cities actions meeting three main goals of the CRS.
1. Reduce flood losses
2. Facilitate accurate insurance rating
3. Promote the awareness of flood insurance
The NFIP's Community Rating System recognizes the City of Belleair Bluffs for efforts that go beyond the minimum standards of the NFIP by reducing the cities flood insurance premiums for our residents. We are currently recognized as a class 7, which results in a 15% discount on flood insurance premiums for residents in a SFHA (Special Flood Hazard Area) and a 5% discount on flood insurance premiums for those residents not in a SFHA.

For more information on the City of Belleair Bluffs' participation in the Community Rating System and National Flood Insurance Program, please call (727) 584-2151 or visit City Hall to pick up informational pamphlets and brochures.

Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS)

The purpose of the Local Mitigation Strategy is to establish an ongoing process that will make hazard mitigation part of the daily function of the entire city, including public, private, and residential sectors.
The LMS is a plan that serves as a bridge between local government's comprehensive management plans, the county comprehensive emergency management plan, land development regulations, and relevant ordinances and codes such as those for floodplain management. This strategy integrates mitigation initiatives established through various policies, programs, and regulations into a single standalone document.
In addition to preparing residents for the potential impacts of various types of hazards the LMS plays an important role in the cities CRS program.

USGS Current Water Data
For more information on how to access real-time gauge information, current water levels and, where available, flood height predictions, please click the following link https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt

Flood Information and Links
www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/floodplain/crs
www.pinellaslms.org
FEMA Flood Map Service Center
FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map
Evacuation Level Lookup
Pinellas County Emergency Management
Pinellas County Hurricane Guide
Pinellas County Local Mitigation Strategy