IMPACTS OF LAND DEVELOPMENT ON OREGON’S WATERS 2001 This slide show was borrowed from the internet but we added our own research when we presented it. It was originally from 2001 but we updated it to 2010.

Understanding the problem Impacts Impacts of Land Development on Water Quality

Looking at the whole watershed Forestry Urban development Agriculture Septic systems

How does development pollute? Impacts

Land development can cause… Impacts Polluted water Loss of fish and wildlife habitat Altered water flows

Types of water pollution Impacts  Point source  Industrial outflow  Non-point source  “Polluted runoff”  “Diffuse pollution”  “Runoff pollution”

Chemical components of pollution Impacts Oil & grease contamination Heavy metal contamination Pesticide & herbicide contamination Increased harmful bacteria Increased nutrients Increased oxygen demanding materials

Physical components of pollution Impacts Increased sediment input Increased temperatures

Impaired or destroyed fish and wildlife habitat Impacts  Changes in species diversity and abundance  Changes in physical structures Photo Copyright Oregon Sea Grant 1999

Aquatic habitat: “Properly Functioning Conditions” Impacts  Temperature in natural range  Enough dissolved oxygen  Clear enough to see food and breathe  Clean enough for food web to function  Clean and complex enough for spawning and rearing habitat Temperature in natural range Enough dissolved oxygen Clear enough to see food and breathe Clear enough for food web to function Clean and complex enough for spawning and rearing habitat Temperature in natural range Enough dissolved oxygen Clear enough to see food and breathe Clear enough for food web to function Clean and complex enough for spawning and rearing habitat

Loss of opportunities Impacts  Declining fish populations  Closed shellfish beds  Limits to recreation  Harder to maintain channels

Altered water flows Impacts  Increased flood peaks  More frequent flooding  Lower dry weather flow  Loss of stream complexity

Center for Watershed Protection, Copyright 1999 Water balance

Impervious surface cover as an indicator Impacts – Rooftops – Transport Systems Parking lots Streets Sidewalks Driveways Cul de sacs

Natural ground cover Impacts Photo Copyright 1999, Center for Watershed Protection

Where do we stand? Impacts  Local impervious surface cover  Local building trends  Pollution problems  Habitat loss

Prevention is possible Impacts

Prevention works: taking action locally Impacts  Limit impervious surface across the watershed  Treat stormwater  Restrict high risk activities in sensitive areas  Create buffers around streams, wetlands, and shore lands  Encourage tree preservation and native vegetation University of Connecticut, NEMO

Prevention Works: taking action locally Impacts  When someone builds on an area where you know it isn’t good to build on, what are the regulations  When someone builds on a buffer zone commissioners should approve  What are the consequences if you build on a sensitive area

Prevention works: taking action nationally Impacts  National guidelines governing land development compared to local laws  General laws/guidelines

Prevention works: taking action in our community Impacts  Reclamation-parking lots, grassy areas, pavement  Explore more earth friendly alternatives rather than concrete and roofs

Prevention Works: taking action within our school Impacts  Make a personal suggestion about our own school  Plant trees and buffers  Community service where we replant areas affected by fires or land development/deforestation