Mission
The mission of our regional program is to meet Clean Water Act requirements for urban runoff, protect public health, and enhance environmental quality of watersheds and beaches.
Monterey SEA is comprised of the Cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Sand City, Seaside, and the County of Monterey with additional support provided by the Pebble Beach Company and the Unified School Districts of Carmel, Monterey, and Pacific Grove. This group, formally known as the Monterey Regional Stormwater Management Program (MRSWMP), has partnered to develop a regional stormwater program for the Monterey Peninsula and surrounding areas.
The Program is organized, coordinated, and implemented in accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement signed by each Co-permittee. The MOA was signed in 2002 and updated in 2013. It covers the responsibilities of each Co-permittee and identifies by-laws governing the program.
Urban Stormwater Runoff is one of the leading causes of pollution across the nation. Understanding the importance of pollution prevention is critical to every community. Educating the general public and targeted audiences about the impacts of stormwater as well as the specific behaviors they can implement to protect water quality are goals of this regional group.
Learn more about our community partners here.
Storm Water Act
California State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) mission is to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.
In order to improve the management of stormwater as a resource and address this major source of pollution to rivers, lakes, and the ocean, the SWRCB implemented the Phase II Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit. The final draft was approved on February 5, 2013 and became effective on July 1, 2013 - Order No. 2013-0001 DWQ. Click here to learn more.