The city council finds that this chapter is necessary to: promote sound development policies and construction procedures which respect and preserve the city’s watercourses; minimize water quality degradation; prevent sedimentation of creeks, streams, ponds, lakes and other water bodies; protect the life, health, and property of the general public; preserve and enhance the suitability of waters for contact recreation and fishing; preserve and enhance the aesthetic quality of the waters; maintain and protect valuable groundwater resources; minimize adverse effects of alterations in groundwater quantities, locations and flow patterns; ensure the safety of city roads and rights-of-way; decrease drainage-related damage to public and private property; and avoid or abate public nuisances. This chapter is also necessary to control stormwater runoff generated by development, redevelopment, construction sites, or modifications to existing stormwater systems that directly or indirectly discharge to the city stormwater system, in a manner that complies with the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology. (Ord. 3443 § 1, 2023; Ord. 2833 § 2, 2010)