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1. What are mitigation credits?

Mitigation credits are the means by which the city can reduce a parcel's stormwater assessment.

2. Who is eligible for a mitigation credit?

Anyone that owns parcels with mitigation ponds that are privately maintained are eligible for a mitigation credit.

3. There is a pond on my property, but it is overgrown with vegetation. Is it eligible for a credit?

An overgrown pond is not eligible for a credit at this time. Eligible ponds must be maintained so that they function at the original design level. After the pond is retrofitted so that it could be expected to function at the design level, the mitigation credit will be restored.

The city may request that a professional engineer document the capacity of the pond prior to assigning a mitigation credit to the property.

4. What is a stormwater mitigation facility?

A stormwater mitigation facility is a detention or retention pond that has been constructed and maintained so that it provides water quality enhancement, runoff peak flow (rate) attenuation, and/or runoff quantity (peak volume) attenuation.

5. Construction of a pond was required as a part of the permit for development of my property, but is now maintained by the city. Is it eligible for a mitigation credit?

No, only ponds that are privately maintained are eligible. The purpose of the mitigation credit policy is to adjust the stormwater assessment for those properties whose ponds or other mitigation facilities reduce the amount of runoff that the city system has to manage.

6. What activities does the city's Stormwater Management Program include?

The Stormwater Management Program includes, but is not limited to, the collection, conveyance, monitoring, and treatment of stormwater runoff.

7. Have any properties qualified for mitigation credits?

Yes, there have been properties that have qualified for mitigation credits. In 1986, regulations required the construction of a mitigation pond on certain properties as a part of their permit or development order. Approximately 350 parcels have been identified that have a functioning stormwater pond. These parcels have been given a 31.8% mitigation credit; some of these ponds may be eligible for additional credit. They may submit documentation provided by a professional engineer that demonstrates that additional treatment capacity, attenuation, or storage has been provided beyond the regulations adopted in 1986.

8. What are adjustments?

Adjustments are the means by which the city can deal with those parcels that have a unique stormwater attribute, or set of attributes, that cause impervious area to not fairly measure the relative runoff generated by that parcel. These adjustments are made on a case-by-case basis as necessitated by the facts of the situation to ensure the equitable assignment of stormwater billing units.

9. What type of stormwater attribute might lead to the granting of an adjustment to the assessment?

Special cases occur when, for some reason, the directly connected impervious area is lower than that of a typical parcel; or, if the site is located on a jurisdictional boundary, whether a portion of the runoff is connected to another jurisdiction's stormwater system.

10. How can I get additional information on the city's Mitigation Credit and Adjustment Policy?

Additional information or a copy of the adopted policy may be requested by contacting the city's Public Works Department by calling 850-435-1755, or visit:
2757 N. Palafox
Pensacola, FL 32501