PSB TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF STORMWATER MASTER PLAN Media Advisory Contact: Christina Montoya, Vice President-Marketing and Communication 915-594-5596 (office), e-mail: cmontoya@epwu.org Date: March 9, 2009 WHO:       Public Service Board WHEN:     Wednesday, March 11, 8:30 a.m. WHERE:    El Paso Water Utilities                  1154 Hawkins Blvd.                  Board Room – 4th Floor On Wednesday, the Public Service Board will be asked to approve the City of El Paso Stormwater Master Plan – a long-term plan to reduce flood risk to El Paso residents and property. The master plan recommends stormwater system improvements and a priority for implementing projects based on available funding. The Board will also consider approval of the Stormwater Master Plan Community Advisory Committee’s final report. The 35-member committee provided input to staff and consultants as the master plan was developed and made recommendations on projects to be implemented during the first three years of the Stormwater Capital Improvements Program. The master plan and the committee’s report will be presented to the City Council for approval on March 31. In other action, staff will ask the Board to increase the credit available to nonresidential customers who have onsite stormwater detention ponds. The number of onsite ponds in El Paso is estimated at more than 1,000; however, only 92 accounts receive the current 10 percent credit. If approved, ponds that meet the City’s minimum design standards will be eligible for a 25 percent credit. This would reduce the rate for nonresidential customers with certified ponds from $3.03 to $2.27 per 2,000 square feet of impervious area. The Board will also consider an Interlocal Agreement authorizing El Paso Water Utilities to assist the County of El Paso with flood and stormwater planning for the area outside the city limits and selected portions of the extraterritorial jurisdiction. EPWU will provide project and program management services for the project, subject to the receipt of $150,000 in Texas Water Development Board matching funds requested by the County in January.