INCREASED POTENTIAL WATER QUALITY & NATURAL RESOURCE PROBLEMS INCREASED INTENSITY OF LAND USE INCREASED AMOUNT OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACE

Communities can grow while still protecting water and other natural resources.

LOOK AT THE COMPLETE PICTURE Zoning Ordinance Subdivision Ordinance Economics Of Growth Comprehensive Plans Wellhead Protection Stormwater Phase II Total Maximum Daily Load Combined Sewer Overflow Watershed Planning Local Planning and Zoning Planning with POWER

Let’s first look at the impacts of intensifying land use on water and other natural resources... Loss of Open Space Fragmentation and Habitat Loss Increased Runoff Increased Pollution

Over 100,000 acres of farm land are converted to development each year in Indiana Loss of Open Space From 1992 – 97, the national rate of development more than doubled to 3 million acres per year.

Fragmentation and Habitat Loss Fragmentation does three things: Increases isolation of wildlife and plants Increases contact between natural and man-made habitat (edge) Reduces the area of natural habitats From 1979 – 94, the number of private forest owners in Indiana tripled but the number of acres in forest remained approximately the same.

Why is it a Problem? Increased Runoff Natural Stream Degraded Stream

Why is it a Problem? FLOODING Increased Runoff

Why is it a Problem? Erosion Increased Runoff

Increased Pollution Polluted Runoff is the #1 water quality problem in the United States today

What can you do about it? Remediation and Maintenance Improving Site Design and Best Management Practices (BMPs) Natural Resource Based Planning

Comprehensive Planning is a Key Step Inventory natural resources Prioritize areas for protection Target development to the most appropriate areas Incorporate open space planning Develop plan of action Revise zoning and subdivision regulations

Encourage natural and vegetated stormwater controls – swales vs. curbs Emphasize on-site drainage of stormwater – percolation vs. Detention Target and protect open space, prime farm land, and critical wildlife habitat – retain natural landscape and minimize impervious surfaces Encourage agricultural BMPs Require proper septic system placement, design, maintenance. Use cluster systems when possible. Improving Site Design and Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Lake and Porter Counties - Lake and Porter County Plan Commissions are working with POWER on natural resource protection, septic issues, and a Smart Growth Initiative Project in collaboration with the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. A series of workshops have been developed to help address the regional growth issues and their impact on the Lake Michigan shoreline and surrounding farmland in these counties. Tippecanoe County – Planning with POWER has been working closely with the Tippecanoe Soil and Water Conservation District on protection of natural resources and is helping the District’s Rural and Urban Study Committees look at future land use impacts on natural resources. POWER is also working with the joint Storm Water Management Committee consisting of officials from Lafayette, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, and Purdue University in addressing storm water education, post construction storm water issues, and best management practices. POWER is working with the newly formed seven county Wabash Valley Resource Conservation & Development on growth and protection of natural resources. Elkhart County - Planning with POWER has held several meetings to discuss natural resource protection and to help initiate a comprehensive land use plan update. The POWER project is also working with several watershed projects in the county to help them incorporate the results and findings into the land use planning goals for the future. Hendricks County - Local leadership organized a Planning with POWER Advisory Committee that meets monthly and advised the Plan Commission on incorporating natural resource protection into the comprehensive planning process. This group is helping update and revise the subdivision control ordinances, as well as developing a conservation design subdivision ordinance for the Hendricks County Plan Commission. Dearborn County - Planning with POWER has worked with both the City of Aurora and Dearborn County on incorporating natural resource protection into long range land use planning effort. The POWER program helped organize a Hillside Development Workshop for local officials and is presently working with the County Plan Director and the Steering Committee to incorporate natural resource protection into the recently updated county comprehensive land use plan. Floyd County - Planning with POWER helped organize a Planning with POWER committee which meets to address natural protection and water quality concerns in future land use planning. Septics, hillside development, and sensitive natural areas were identified as critical issues for the county. LaGrange County - Planning with POWER has initiated an ongoing project with LaGrange County Soil and Water Conservation District involving the Little Elkhart River Watershed project. POWER is working closely with Watershed Specialist David Arrington ton incorporate natural resources protection strategies into the long-term land use planning process. Several Planning with POWER programs have been presented to the public on these issues. In cooperation with: Johnson County - Planning with POWER has been working closely with the Johnson County Soil & Water District and the Young’s Creek Watershed Planning Coordinator on natural resource protection utilizing GIS modeling tools. Planning With POWER has also presented programs on smart growth and how it relates to improved water quality and natural resource protection.

Purdue Land Use Smart Growth Module Team: Jeff Burbrink, Jon Cain, Bernie Dahl, Jonathan Ferris, Bill Hoover, Bob McCormick, Mark Spelbring Introduction to Smart Growth

Smart Growth is development that serves the economy, community, and the environment. It provides a framework for communities to make informed decisions about how and where they grow –The Smart Growth Network is comprised of a broad range of interested organizations, for example: USEPA, National Association of Realtors, Natural Resource Defense Council, International City County Management Association, Urban Land Institute, National Association of Counties, NOAA (Sea Grant)... many others What is Smart Growth?

Ten Principles of Smart Growth 1.Mixed Land Uses 2.Compact Building Design 3.Increase Housing Choice 4.Encourage Walking 5.Create a Sense of Place 6.Protect Farms, Unique Natural Features, Open Spaces, Environmentally Sensitive Areas 7.Direct Development to Existing Communities 8.Offer Transportation Variety 9.Make Development Process Fair, Predictable, Efficient 10.Involve Community Stakeholders

Allow mixed use options with zoning ordinances Zone areas by building type, not by building use only Convert abandoned malls to mixed use Provide financial incentives for mixed use projects Helps protect water and natural resources Mix Land Uses

Compact Building Design Minimizes impervious surfaces Protecting Water Quality and Minimize runoff Talk about Design not Density Balance street type and building scale Ensure ready access to open space Visual preference surveys Ensure privacy with yard designs

Inventory special places and make plans to protect them Improves water quality and minimizes runoff Establish zoning to encourage clustering Protect farmland and open lands with PDR/TDR Work with land trusts Connect greenways Protect Farms, Unique Natural Features, Open Spaces

For more information on Planning with POWER, including publications, activities and upcoming events, or to schedule a program contact: Bob McCormick (765) Marsteller Forestry and Natural Resources West Lafayette, IN Fax: Contact Information