Goldsboro seeks local control of erosion and sediment reviews; MS4 update outlines inspections and outreach

Goldsboro’s stormwater administrator presented the municipal separate storm sewer (MS4) program update on Jan. 5 and outlined plans to update the stormwater management plan, expand public education and participation, increase inspections and pursue local authority over erosion-and-sediment control.

Bobby Barnes told council the MS4 program is governed by state and federal requirements and identified six minimum control measures the city must meet: public education, public participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction-site runoff control, post-construction runoff control, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping. Staff said they will update the stormwater management plan and the public-education action plan to include target audiences and measurable goals and will seek public input through hearings and a watershed stakeholders committee.

Significantly, staff reported they will request delegation from NCDEQ this year to assume legal authority for erosion-and-sediment control plan review and enforcement within the city, which would allow Goldsboro to administer reviews locally rather than rely on the state for NCG-01 plan approvals. Barnes said the draft local ordinance and model language will be submitted to NCDEQ for informal review this month, that the city will seek input and formal council adoption in March or April, and that a July 1 effective date is planned.

Council members encouraged staff to review overlapping ordinances (such as nuisance or debris rules) to ensure a coordinated enforcement framework and asked for clarity on how the new local program would be staffed and resourced.

Next steps: staff will send the draft erosion-and-sediment ordinance to NCDEQ for informal review, hold public outreach and hearings, and return to council for formal adoption ahead of the targeted July 1 effective date.