Although the State and Federal government have imposed these environmental regulations the City must undertake various activities including, but not limited to: the cleaning of ditches and pipe systems; replacement of aging culverts and drainage structures, inspections, water quality screening of outfalls, and regulation of new development.  The regulatory requirements of this permit have driven the City’s need to develop and implement a more comprehensive stormwater management program (SWMP). The City of Anniston is responsible for the management and regulation of stormwater runoff and drainage issues within the City and must comply with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).

Compliance
In order to be compliant with this permit, ton the City, there has not been any corresponding funding from these agencies to assist the City with meeting its requirements.  As such, these regulations are essentially an unfunded regulatory mandate that the City must address.