GCSA Program Background

When the Phase II stormwater regulations were adopted by EPA in late 1999, INCOG member governments potentially affected by this new permit program requested INCOG’s assistance. It was determined that INCOG could implement a regional program to address certain stormwater controls, mainly dealing with public education, employee training and providing technical assistance to its members. 

INCOG organized a statewide advisory group that included the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), and the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML).  This advisory group held several meetings to work out technical problems in developing the State’s general permit and permit application procedures. In addition, INCOG formed a Stormwater Steering Committee of not only its stormwater cities, but also many other cities in Oklahoma. 

As permits began to be issued in 2006, this Steering Committee became the Green Country Stormwater Alliance (GCSA) as a way to identify the unified commitment of stakeholders to implementing stormwater protection strategies in Northeast Oklahoma. Click here to see a list and map of GCSA members.

From the beginning, cities in Oklahoma wanted to have consistency among their stormwater programs. In 2002, INCOG developed a model Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) document that could be modified by each  city to suit local conditions. INCOG received EPA approval of this document and it was eventually used by many cities in Oklahoma as the basis for their own SWMP documents. Each city developed its own list of Best Management Practices (BMPs) along with associated measurable goals and implementation schedules. 

Because this is a new permit program, many changes will likely occur over the next few years as each city (and INCOG) grows into technical maturity. This website will reflect our progress and growing sophistication.

Rev. January 19, 2007