Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services strives to follow policies and principles set forth by the Charlotte City Council, Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners, and other local elected bodies. These policies and principles include long-range water quality and quantity management planning.

Storm Water Services has also created strategic plans to guide internal efforts related to ranking infrastructure improvement needs, restoring watersheds and surface water quality, working with private developers and contractors, and reducing vulnerability to flood damage.

Risk Assessment/Risk Reduction Plan (2012)
Describes the process for determining flood risks and appropriate mitigation techniques for individual properties

Mecklenburg County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (2010)
Assesses risks and provides a community plan of action to protect lives in the event of a natural disaster

Mecklenburg County Creek Use Policy (1996)

Creek Maintenance and Selective Cutting Policy (For major system or "named" streams. Updated 2009.)

NPDES Phase I Permit 
This National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, first obtained in 1993, allows the City of Charlotte to discharge storm water runoff inside the City limits.

Phase I Storm Water Management Plan
This plan guides the City of Charlotte in implementing the requirements of its NPDES Phase I permit. The overall objective of the Storm Water Management Plan is to protect receiving stream water quality by reducing the discharge of pollutants from the City’s storm water drainage system.  
 
NPDES Phase II Permit
This National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, first obtained in 2005, allows Mecklenburg County and the six Towns to discharge storm water runoff inside their jurisdictions.
 
NPDES Phase II Storm Water Management Plan
This plan guides Mecklenburg County and the six Towns in implementing the requirements of its NPDES Phase II permit. The overall objective of the Storm Water Management Plan is to protect receiving stream water quality by reducing the discharge of pollutants into the storm water drainage system. 

Water Quality Buffer Implementation Guidelines (Applies to stream and lake buffers. 2011)

Mecklenburg County Surface Water Improvement & Management (SWIM) Initiative (Phase I adopted 1998, Phase II adopted 2002)

List of Water Quality Recovery Plans and Watershed Master Plans including TMDLs

State of the Environment Report (2012)
Includes recommendations to local governing boards to address water quality problems and other environmental concerns. 

Previous Plans
Mecklenburg County Flood Hazard Mitigation and Environmental Restoration Summary (used from 2004 to 2012)
Ranked flood mitigation needs in ten urban watersheds. Stated that $113 million in investment would eliminate approximately $478 million in future flood damage.

Flood Hazard Mitigation Plans by Watershed (used from 2004 to 2012)

Floodplain Management Guidance Document (used from 1997 to 2004)
Outlined priorities and process for improving floodplain management and reducing flood losses

For more information: Mecklenburg County Water & Land Resources Director Dave Canaan 704-336-3736 City of Charlotte Storm Water Services Division Manager Jennifer G. Smith, P.E. 704-336-7924