1 State Parks  Soil and Water Conservation  Natural Heritage Outdoor Recreation Planning  Land Conservation Dam Safety and Floodplain Management Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Urban BMP Program Principles By Jack E. Frye October 14, 2005

2 Key Differences of Ag BMPs and Urban BMPs Effect “Program” Approach: Land base: Ag land decreasing / Urban lands increasing Client base: 47,600 farmers / million(s) urban landowners Client impact: Ag has many acres treated per client / Urban has few acres treated per client Responsibility: SWCDs Ag BMPs / local govt. E&SC and SWM History: Ag & Urban shared “retrofit” need

3 BUT…. Urban nonpoint pollution is important to address Urban is expanding and current new development will need retrofitting (not good enough) Cannot achieve water quality goals without addressing urban nonpoint pollution Urban ecosystems will degrade further over time Infrastructure failures or inadequacies will force very expensive “point project solutions” over “planned community” solutions Component of point source to NPS trading Tough job…often expensive…human element

4 SO… How can we move forward? What might be some guiding principles?

5 Principle #1 Recognize stormwater as a source water resource. Stormwater should be retained and used. (non-potable and potable uses, groundwater recharge)

6 Principle #2 Avoid destruction of water usefulness by pollution. (1 st rule of water conservation)

7 Principle #3 Citizen education is the cornerstone of urban BMP programs. Citizen education activities about urban BMPs function and maintenance should be included as elements of the local MS4 program for both regional facilities and dispersed local and individual facilities. Non-MS4’s too. (Possible assistance role for SWCDs)

8 Principle #4 Maximize individual & business stewardship of water resources. Education & demonstration programs for “behavioral change” on key urban BMPs, such as nutrient management for lawns, rain barrels for non-potable use and green roofs should be supported and promoted. Clarify what the desired practices are and facilitate bulk purchases of materials for resale to community members or reduced prices at suppliers. (Possible role for SWCDs)

9 Principle #5 Better development practices sooner means less retrofitting later. State assistance should be provided for retrofits only when the local government has taken or is taking steps to change ordinances and efforts to address current and future development; otherwise, development expands more rapidly then retrofitting capacity and water quality is degraded. (WQIF Cooperative NPS Grant opportunity)

10 Principle #6 Locally/regionally integrate water supply plans. (water supply, source water protection, and watershed water quality plans integrated with comprehensive planning) Include appropriate urban BMPs (both structural and management) and ongoing citizen outreach actions. (Possible role for SWCDs)

11 Principle #7 All “structural practices” credited in a SWM control system need long term care. Structural BMPs that control water quantity and/or quality should be recognized by the local government and incorporated into the local stormwater management system; recorded, tracked & maintained. (are infrastructure)

12 Principle #8 State cost-shared practices should have a specific required lifespan with maintenance and be locally recognized. Local government should be party to urban BMPs being implemented through a state cost-share program and incorporate the practices into their infrastructure; they should acknowledge their function and require long-term maintenance.

13 Principle #9 Consider local incentives. Consider tax incentives, reduced stormwater utility charges and/or reduced water/sewer billings or other incentives for homeowners who incorporate LID practices into their landscape and achieve moderate levels of runoff control, infiltration and non-potable reuse. (WQIF reimbursement lost local revenue)

14 Urban BMP Program Principles Recognize stormwater as a source water resource. Avoid destruction of water usefulness by pollution. Citizen education is the cornerstone of urban BMP programs. Maximize individual & business stewardship of water resources. Better development practices sooner means less retrofitting later. Locally/regionally integrate water supply plans. All “structural practices” credited in a SWM control system need long term care. State cost-shared practices should have a specific required lifespan with maintenance and be locally recognized. Consider local incentives.