Stormwater Management Program

Town of Fletcher Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program

The Town of Fletcher is a designated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) community and is required to implement a comprehensive stormwater management program under the federal Clean Water Act. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) MS4 Program is administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and is designed to reduce pollutants entering local waterways through municipal stormwater drainage systems.

MS4 communities are generally designated based on their location within federally identified urbanized areas or through additional state regulatory requirements. As an MS4 community, the Town of Fletcher is responsible for managing stormwater runoff, reducing pollution, and implementing practices that protect the water quality of our local streams, rivers, and surrounding environment.

To meet these requirements, the Town maintains a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that outlines specific goals, activities, and responsibilities addressing six required Minimum Control Measures:

Public Education and Outreach: Educating residents, businesses, and visitors about stormwater pollution and ways to protect local waterways.
Public Involvement and Participation: Encouraging the community to participate in stormwater protection activities, cleanup events, and pollution prevention efforts.
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: Identifying and addressing illegal discharges, dumping, and other sources of pollution entering the stormwater system.
Construction Site Runoff Controls: Ensuring appropriate measures are in place to reduce sediment and other pollutants leaving active construction sites.
Post Construction Site Runoff Controls: Managing stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment to reduce long term impacts on water quality.
Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping: Implementing practices within Town operations to reduce pollution, maintain stormwater infrastructure, and properly manage municipal facilities, equipment, and materials.

Through these six measures, the Town works to meet state and federal stormwater regulations while promoting cleaner waterways, healthier ecosystems, and a more resilient community. Protecting our water resources is a shared responsibility, and the Town encourages residents, businesses, and visitors to do their part in keeping pollution out of our storm drains and waterways.

For additional information about the statewide MS4 Program and its requirements, visit the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality MS4 Program webpage.

Fletcher Stormwater Program Information

Fletcher MS4 Stormwater Management Permit

Fletcher Stormwater Brochure

Stormwater Regulations

Stormwater Management Plan

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Plan

Stormwater System Map

What is Stormwater Runoff?

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

Illicit Discharge Ordinance

The purpose of the Town of Fletcher’s Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program is to identify, locate, and eliminate any non-stormwater discharges entering the Town’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). While Town staff play an important role in this effort, public education and community involvement are also essential to successfully identifying, detecting, and preventing pollution. A key objective of the program is to increase awareness among employees, businesses, and residents about the risks associated with illegal discharges and improper waste disposal.

Targeted pollutants:

Litter, Yard Waste, Illicit Discharges, Sediment, Illegal Dumping, and Improper Disposal of Waste

In addition to the stormwater hotline listed below, the Town of Fletcher offers a mobile survey that allows residents to report stormwater-related issues directly from their phones. The survey enables users to pinpoint the exact location of an issue on a map, provide a description, and upload photos.

It also allows residents to communicate with staff after a report has been submitted and investigated. The Town is committed to making the reporting of stormwater issues as easy and accessible as possible. Click on “**Citizen Reporter App**” above to get started!

Stormwater Hotline:

The Town of Fletcher maintains a stormwater hotline and encourages residents to report any concerns related to stormwater drainage and runoff. This includes issues such as illegal dumping into streams or storm drains, as well as blocked or malfunctioning stormwater infrastructure.

Phone number: (828) 687-3985 or email the Stormwater Administrator directly at t.morrow@fletchernc.org

Public Education and Outreach

Educating the community about stormwater pollution and its impacts on local waterways is an important part of the Town of Fletcher’s Stormwater Management Program. Through educational materials, community events, school activities, and hands-on demonstrations, the Town works to raise awareness about stormwater runoff and the importance of protecting water quality.

Our goal is to help residents, businesses, and visitors understand how everyday activities can affect our streams and rivers and encourage simple practices that help prevent pollution. From properly disposing of waste to keeping leaves, litter, and other pollutants out of storm drains, small actions can make a big difference.

By providing educational opportunities for all ages, the Town hopes to build a more informed community that understands the importance of keeping our waterways clean and healthy.

Public Involvement and Participation

Protecting our local waterways is a community effort, and the Town of Fletcher encourages residents, businesses, and community organizations to get involved in stormwater management. Public participation plays an important role in identifying stormwater concerns, reducing pollution, and improving the overall health of our streams and rivers.

The Town provides opportunities for community involvement through volunteer cleanup events, educational activities, and opportunities to report stormwater concerns or suspected illicit discharges. These efforts allow residents to take an active role in protecting the environment and improving water quality throughout Fletcher.

Whether participating in a community cleanup, reporting pollution, or adopting stormwater-friendly practices at home, everyone can make a difference. By working together, we can help protect Fletcher’s waterways for current and future generations.

Construction Site Runoff Controls

The Town of Fletcher partners with Henderson County’s Site Development Department to help reduce stormwater pollution caused by construction and land disturbing activities. Through the County’s Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program, construction sites are subject to applicable erosion control requirements designed to prevent sediment, soil, and other pollutants from washing into nearby storm drains, streams, and waterways. These measures help protect water quality by requiring appropriate erosion and sediment control practices throughout the construction process.

Henderson County administers the local erosion and sedimentation control program, including applicable plan reviews, permitting, inspections, and investigation of complaints related to active land disturbing activities. The County also administers the Town’s post construction stormwater permitting program to help manage runoff from new development after construction is complete.

Residents who observe excessive sediment runoff, erosion, or other concerns related to active construction activities are encouraged to report them to Henderson County’s Site Development Department at (828) 694-6521.

For additional information, please visit the following Henderson County resources:

Citizen Portal

Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program

Report a Land Disturbance Complaint

Post Construction Site Runoff Controls

The Town of Fletcher partners with Henderson County’s Site Development Department to regulate stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment projects. Through the Post Construction Stormwater Management Program, the Town and County work together to reduce pollution, manage increased stormwater runoff, and protect local streams, rivers, and waterways from the impacts of development.

As land is developed, natural surfaces are often replaced with roads, rooftops, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces that prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. This increases stormwater runoff, which can carry pollutants into nearby waterways and contribute to flooding and erosion. To address these concerns, qualifying developments must meet stormwater management requirements, which may include installing Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs), such as detention ponds, bioretention areas, and other engineered systems designed to slow, capture, and treat runoff.

Henderson County administers the stormwater permitting and plan review process for qualifying developments within the Town of Fletcher, including both high and low density projects. Once construction is complete, property owners are responsible for maintaining their stormwater control measures to ensure they continue functioning properly. The Town of Fletcher oversees ongoing compliance through inspections, maintenance requirements, and enforcement of its stormwater regulations.

Developers and property owners are encouraged to review the applicable stormwater requirements early in the development process. For permitting questions, contact Henderson County’s Site Development Department at (828) 694-6553. For questions about existing stormwater facilities or maintenance requirements within Fletcher, contact the Town’s Stormwater Administrator at (828) 687-3985.

For additional information, please visit the following resources:

Citizen Portal

Henderson County Stormwater Phase II Local Program

Stormwater Permitting Process and Forms for High and Low Density Development

Town of Fletcher Land Development Code, Article 6: Environmental Protection

Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

The Town of Fletcher is committed to preventing stormwater pollution through responsible maintenance and management of Town facilities, roadways, equipment, and public spaces. Through its Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Program, the Town’s Public Works Department works to reduce the amount of litter, debris, chemicals, and other pollutants that could enter storm drains, streams, and local waterways.

Each year, the Town sweeps approximately 12.74 miles of roadway to remove accumulated sediment, leaves, trash, and other debris before they can enter the stormwater drainage system. The Town also offers a bagged leaf collection service to help residents properly dispose of leaves and prevent them from clogging storm drains, pipes, and nearby creeks. These efforts help improve water quality while reducing localized flooding caused by blocked drainage systems.

The Town’s Public Works Department, consisting of 10 employees, plays an important role in maintaining Town facilities and implementing pollution prevention practices. Staff work to keep municipal buildings, maintenance areas, and equipment clean, organized, and safe to reduce the likelihood of spills, leaks, and other pollutants leaving Town properties. The department also oversees the inspection and maintenance of Town owned Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) to ensure they continue functioning properly.

Additional pollution prevention efforts include the Town’s vehicle maintenance program, pavement management program, responsible pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer management practices, and spill prevention and response procedures. Together, these programs help minimize the release of pollutants from municipal operations and promote environmentally responsible maintenance practices.

Through the continued efforts of the Public Works Department, the Town of Fletcher is working to protect local water quality, maintain its stormwater infrastructure, and lead by example in keeping pollutants out of our waterways.

Stormwater Off Right of Way Assistance Grant Program

The Town of Fletcher offers a Stormwater Off Right of Way Assistance Grant Program to help residential property owners address drainage and stormwater issues on private property where public stormwater runoff is involved. The program is designed to assist with improvements to deteriorating drainage systems, reduce flooding concerns, and protect homes from potential stormwater damage.

Eligible property owners may receive financial assistance covering up to 90% of approved project costs, depending on the severity of the issue. The program offers two levels of assistance:

Category 1: Up to $30,000 for stormwater issues that pose a potential threat to a dwelling.
Category 2: Up to $10,000 for basic stormwater drainage and conveyance improvements that do not pose a threat to a dwelling.

To get started, property owners should contact the Town to schedule an onsite evaluation. Town staff will assess the drainage concern and determine whether the project qualifies for assistance. Approved participants are responsible for coordinating their projects, including obtaining contractor quotes and overseeing construction.

For more information or to schedule an onsite evaluation, please contact the Town of Fletcher at (828) 687-3985 or visit https://www.fletchernc.org/departments/public-works/stormwater-off-right-of-way-grant-program/