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State stormwater center
Specialist helps businesses comply with water, waste rules
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
By Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension
PUYALLUP, Wash. – Lisa Rozmyn is the new business resource specialist at the Washington Stormwater Center. She brings more than 20 years of experience in water quality compliance, hazardous waste inspection and permitting to the position.
The position is funded through the Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship Foundation.
"Many businesses need assistance due to the complicated requirements, which can be costly and, if not complied with, can result in civil and/or criminal penalties,” said Rozmyn.
Partnering with existing stormwater groups, business associations and local and state agencies, Rozmyn will help businesses required to comply with the state Department of Ecology’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), including firms involved with industry, construction and boatyards. Part of the federal Clean Water Act, this process was designed to eliminate industrial discharge by 1985 and requires permits for discharges to surface waters.
"Washington state is one of the most trade dependent states in the nation but also has some of the most stringent stormwater requirements,” said Rozmyn. "There’s a balance between protecting our natural resources, protecting our businesses and protecting one of our most valuable resources – the people who live here.
"I don’t think it has to be one or the other. Together we can find solutions that benefit us all,” she said.
Rozmyn worked for the state Department of Ecology for 17 years in a variety of positions including hazardous waste inspector, water quality compliance and enforcement officer, federal permit writer and manager for state Department of Transportation projects. Most recently, she worked for the Port of Tacoma setting up and managing the municipal stormwater permit program.
The Washington Stormwater Center is a joint venture of the Department of Ecology, Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center and University of Washington Tacoma Center for Urban Waters. Created in December 2010, the organization provides independent, non-regulatory assistance to hundreds of businesses and municipalities throughout the state that require stormwater permits.
The center includes the Technology Assessment Protocol - Ecology (TAPE) program that evaluates stormwater emerging technologies and the WSU Puyallup Low Impact Development (LID) research and training program. The center is creating a Municipal Resource program to service jurisdictions throughout the state.
Contacts:
Lisa Rozmyn, lisa.rozmyn@wsu.edu, 253-445-4552
Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension, bfradd@wsu.edu, 253-445-4543
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