Stormwater Project Section 404 Permit

Burns & McDonnell prepared a Section 404 General Permit application to implement a Stormwater and watershed management master plan. Burns & McDonnell initiated discussions between our client and the Corps of Engineers for a general permit by suggesting that the permitting process for individual facilities included in the master plan could be streamlined, reducing permit preparation and review time required by our client, the Corps and participating state and federal agencies.

Burns & McDonnell submitted the permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Kansas City District. Included in this overall effort was frequent coordination with various state and federal agencies such as Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Agency meetings including field site visits were coordinated to develop an understanding of our client's objectives to proactively maintain and enhance the existing natural resources for residents and their quality of life while allowing for continued, fast-paced urban growth.

Information presented in the permit application described the master plan in terms of ideals, concepts, and facilities. It emphasized that the master plan is a dynamic, evolving approach to watershed management that includes the development and formalization of policies, standards, and practices to maintain and enhance environmental quality, reduce flooding, and improve water quality while providing additional recreation opportunities and a high quality of life for residents.

Burns & McDonnell compiled and presented the ideals, concepts and data describing impacts of the master plan in addition to proposed mitigation in a manner consistent with a Section 404 General Permit application.

Burns & McDonnell will continue to coordinate with interested state and federal agencies and set-up meetings to discuss and resolve any issues that may arise during the public review period. We will also evaluate impacts and mitigation for proposed facilities by individual watershed, respond to questions directed to our client by the Corps, and interactively assist them by participating in any negotiation to establish final permit conditions.