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Understanding the City of Fort Worth Stormwater Facility Maintenance Agreement

The City of Fort Worth, like many urban areas, faces challenges in managing stormwater runoff to reduce flooding, protect water quality, and comply with environmental regulations. To achieve these goals, the city operates and maintains various stormwater management facilities, such as detention ponds, wetlands, and channels. However, these facilities require regular inspection, cleaning, repair, and upgrades to function properly and prevent costly damages. To ensure the accountability and efficiency of these tasks, the city has established the Stormwater Facility Maintenance Agreement (SFMA) program, which involves collaboration between the city, property owners, and qualified contractors. In this article, we will explore the key features and benefits of the SFMA, as well as the obligations and rights of the parties involved.

Scope and Objective

The SFMA program applies to all private stormwater management facilities within the city limits that are subject to the city`s stormwater ordinance. These facilities can be owned by individual property owners, homeowners` associations, commercial entities, or government entities, and can vary in size and complexity. The SFMA aims to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of these facilities by providing a standardized set of requirements and procedures that every owner must follow. Additionally, the SFMA helps to distribute the costs and responsibilities of stormwater management fairly among the owners based on the proportional contribution of each property to the runoff.

Requirements and Procedures

Under the SFMA, every owner of a private stormwater management facility must execute a maintenance agreement with the city, which defines the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each party. The agreement typically includes provisions related to the frequency and scope of inspections, maintenance tasks, reporting and documentation, communication, emergency response, and cost-sharing. The city may also require certain qualifications and certifications for the maintenance contractors hired by the owners, such as experience, training, insurance, and licensing. The city may perform its own inspections and audits to verify compliance with the SFMA and may assess penalties or suspension for noncompliance.

Benefits and Impacts

The SFMA provides several benefits for the city, property owners, and the community as a whole. By ensuring the proper maintenance of private stormwater management facilities, the SFMA reduces the risk of flooding, erosion, and property damage caused by inadequate or neglected facilities. The SFMA also enhances the water quality of the city`s streams, rivers, and lakes by preventing pollutants from entering them through stormwater runoff. Moreover, the SFMA promotes transparency, accountability, and collaboration among the city, property owners, and maintenance contractors, which can improve the trust and satisfaction of the stakeholders. The SFMA may also increase the property value and attractiveness of the areas with well-maintained stormwater management facilities, as they can enhance the aesthetic and ecological quality of the surroundings.

Conclusion

The City of Fort Worth Stormwater Facility Maintenance Agreement is a valuable tool for improving the stormwater management practices and outcomes of the city. By requiring private property owners to follow a set of standardized requirements and procedures for maintaining their stormwater management facilities, the SFMA can reduce the risk and impact of flooding, erosion, and pollution, while promoting equitable cost-sharing and collaboration among the stakeholders. If you own a private stormwater management facility in Fort Worth, make sure to comply with the SFMA and work with qualified contractors to keep your facility in good shape. If you have any questions or concerns about the SFMA, contact the city`s stormwater management division for assistance.