Stormwater Runoff

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Policy Number:
UW-6059
Responsible Office:
Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for development, redevelopment, construction, and management of stormwater related solutions across lands managed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison that are owned, leased and/or controlled by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. This policy aims to ensure that programs put in place will effectively manage stormwater generated on the forementioned lands and not adversely impact the natural environment through an integrated, ecologically based systems approach while meeting and/or exceeding our regulatory responsibilities and our sustainability goals.

Scope:

Applies to all lands managed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison that are owned, leased and/or controlled by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.

Policy:
  1. Stormwater runoff planning and management must be in compliance with:
    1. Wis. Admin. Code NR § 151 and 216
    2. Wisconsin Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Municipal Storm Water Discharge Permit No. WI-S058416-4 (MS4 Permit) for applicable areas
    3. Applicable Stormwater Management Technical Standard as determined by Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture.
  2. New campus development or redevelopment plans must incorporate and address the following elements (A through D) and provide E.
    1. Address current requirements of this policy while considering incorporating research and/or best practices in environmentally sustainable stormwater management.
    2. Provide climate resilient infrastructure that reflects current and future conditions including rainfall characteristics and prolonged drought.
    3. Integrate solutions that manage stormwater as a resource with value and co-benefits in alignment with Campus Sustainability goals.
    4. Mitigate adverse off-site impacts or implications for stormwater runoff upstream and downstream of the development area.
    5. A Stormwater Management Report as determined by Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

UW-Madison Facilities Planning & Management Project Delivery Technical Standards

External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Associate Vice Chancellor Facilities Planning & Management
Policy Manager:
Director, Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture
Contact:
Campus Planner -- Aaron Williams, aaron.williams@wisc.edu, (608) 381-8406
Effective Date:
10-02-2003
Revised Dates:

05-05-2025

Retrieved:
06-13-2025 12:38:37