Who maintains the Highway Runoff Manual (HRM)?
The Headquarters Environmental Services Water Quality/Stormwater Program and Hydraulics Branch are jointly responsible for revising and implementing oversight of the manual. The manual's upkeep uses a technical team made up of water quality, stormwater, and erosion control specialists; designers; hydrologists; geotechnical and hydraulic engineers; landscape architects; and maintenance staff. The technical team also includes several county representatives, and benefits from a close working relationship with Department of Ecology staff and contributions by consultants and outside reviewers.
How can I get a printed copy of the HRM?
While there are no plans to distribute printed copies, the manual is available on the Internet at the WSDOT Engineering Publications On-Line Technical Manual Library. Upon request, printed copies and CD ROM versions may be purchased from WSDOT Printing Services by submitting requests using their on-line order form.
However, users referencing printed copies and CD ROM versions should continually consult the on-line version and the Highway Runoff Manual web page for post-publication updates to ensure they are using the most current design guidance. To receive emails announcements of post-publication updates, send a blank email to subscribe-stormwater_list@lists.wsdot.wa.gov.
Who should I contact with comments or suggestions about the HRM?
The HRM will be periodically updated to clarify its content and reflect changes in the regulatory landscape, advancements in stormwater management, and improvements in design tools. Comments and suggestions for improving the HRM should be e-mailed to schaffl@wsdot.wa.gov or mailed to:
Highway Runoff Manual
Attention: Stormwater Team Leader
WSDOT
PO Box 47332
Olympia, WA 98504-7332
What happens when compliance with the HRM is not economically feasible, physically possible, or environmentally responsible?
While WSDOT cannot grant itself variances, it can document site constraints via the Engineering and Economic Feasibility checklist (see HRM Appendix 2A ) as part of the process for seeking approval from the Department of Ecology using the demonstrative approach.
The March 2004 HRM includes several BMPs approved for general use by the Department of Ecology, but not recognized by WSDOT as viable for widespread highway application due to cost considerations associated with their maintenance. It also includes an appendix on experimental BMPs. What is the status of these two categories of BMPs?
To alleviate confusion, these two categories do not appear in the 2006 HRM (i.e., the HRM only contains BMPs that WSDOT finds acceptable for widespread highway application). However, in recognition that site and project constraints may compel a designer to consider alternatives, the 2006 HRM outlines the process for seeking authorization for alternative BMP options.
While information on these two categories of BMPs is no longer in the manual, it appears on WSDOT's website. BMPs approved by the Department of Ecology, but not recommended for highway application are referred to as "Category 1 BMPs" (pdf 2.35 mb). BMPs formerly in Appendix 5B of the March 2004 HRM, are referred to as "emerging technologies" (Category 2 BMPs) (pdf 870 kb). Additional information on emerging technology BMPs is also available on the Department of Ecology's website.
What if I want to use a BMP not listed in the HRM?
The HRM only contains Department of Ecology approved BMPs that WSDOT finds acceptable for highway applications. Section 5-3.6 of the 2006 HRM describes the process for seeking authorization to use BMPs not contained in the HRM.
Where can I find guidance for the design of stormwater management facilities? Is training on the manual available?
WSDOT's stormwater management-related guidance, procedures, and tools can be found on the Water Quality Stormwater page. Information on HRM training is available online.
Who should I contact with questions about the HRM?
As a general rule, direct questions about the content of the HRM to regional environmental, hydraulic, water quality, and/or maintenance staff before contacting the Headquarters Hydraulics Branch, Environmental Services Water Quality/Stormwater Program, and/or Highway Maintenance environmental staff.
Questions about stormwater facilities inventory, stormwater retrofit priorities, NPDES municipal stormwater permit, water quality monitoring/sampling, use of experimental Best Management Practices (BMPs), and BMP research and development should be directed to Headquarters Environmental Services Water Quality/Stormwater staff.