Economic Incentives for Stormwater Control

Economic Incentives for Stormwater Control
Author: Hale W. Thurston
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2011-08-03
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1439845603

Dealing with stormwater runoff in urban areas is a problem that is getting bigger and more expensive. As we cover porous surfaces with impervious structures—commercial buildings, parking lots, roads, and houses—finding places for rainwater and snowmelt to soak in becomes harder. Many landscapers, architects, planners, and others have proposed that the use of "green" localized management practices, such as rain gardens and bio-swales, may function as well as traditional "gray" pipes and basins at reducing the effects of stormwater runoff, and do so in a way that is more attractive in the landscape—and possibly also less expensive. To make stormwater management practices work, however, communities need to know the real costs and policy makers need to give people incentives to adopt the best practices. Economic Incentives for Stormwater Control addresses the true costs and benefits of stormwater management practices (SMPs) and examines the incentives that can be used to encourage their adoption. Highlighting the economic aspects, this practical book offers case studies of the application of various stormwater runoff control policies. It also presents the theory behind the different mechanisms used and illustrates successes and potential obstacles to implementation. The book covers: Efficient use of "green" SMPs Low-impact development (LID) style new construction Green infrastructure Property prices and incentive mechanisms to encourage homeowners to retain stormwater on their property Legal, economic, and hydrological issues associated with various incentive mechanisms In-lieu fees and cap-and-trade incentives Primarily concerned with the sociodemographic and economic aspects of people’s participation in stormwater runoff control, this accessible volume explores opportunities available to municipalities, stormwater managers, and stakeholder groups to enact sustainable, effective stormwater management practices.

Using Economic Incentives to Manage Stormwater Runoff in the Shepherd Creek Watershed

Using Economic Incentives to Manage Stormwater Runoff in the Shepherd Creek Watershed
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 66
Release: 2008
Genre: Urban runoff
ISBN:

Communities nationwide are facing increased responsibility for controlling stormwater runoff, and, subsequently, rising costs of stormwater management. In this report we describe and test a methodology that can be used by communities to focus limited budgets on the most efficient and ecologically-effective installation of stormwater management practices. The overall project has two primary objectives: (1) to test the use of an auction to cost-effectively allocate stormwater management practices among landowners, and (2) to determine the effectiveness of the resulting implementation in terms of hydrological, water quality, and ecological measures. Here, we describe the theories, methods, and criteria used to distribute rain gardens and rain barrels to homeowners in a small, midwestern watershed. The first round of the reverse auction in 2007 resulted in 50 rain gardens and 100 rain barrels installed at 67 of the approximately 350 residential properties in the experimental watershed. In 2008, the auction was repeated and we accepted bids for an additional 35 rain gardens and 74 rain barrels. Stormwater management practices were distributed relatively evenly throughout the watershed and are expected to result in significant improvements in stream quality. We describe our monitoring approach, including 1) parcel-scale hydrology and water quality monitoring of selected rain gardens, and 2) stream monitoring following before-after-control-impact approach for assessing the hydrological, water quality, and biotic responses to stormwater management installation. By employing a multidisciplinary approach to watershed management, the case study offers an example of stormwater management that should be readily transferable to other residential watersheds.

Using Economic Incentives to Manage Stormwater Runoff in the Shepherd Creek Watershed

Using Economic Incentives to Manage Stormwater Runoff in the Shepherd Creek Watershed
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 66
Release: 2008
Genre: Urban runoff
ISBN:

Communities nationwide are facing increased responsibility for controlling stormwater runoff, and, subsequently, rising costs of stormwater management. In this report we describe and test a methodology that can be used by communities to focus limited budgets on the most efficient and ecologically-effective installation of stormwater management practices. The overall project has two primary objectives: (1) to test the use of an auction to cost-effectively allocate stormwater management practices among landowners, and (2) to determine the effectiveness of the resulting implementation in terms of hydrological, water quality, and ecological measures. Here, we describe the theories, methods, and criteria used to distribute rain gardens and rain barrels to homeowners in a small, midwestern watershed. The first round of the reverse auction in 2007 resulted in 50 rain gardens and 100 rain barrels installed at 67 of the approximately 350 residential properties in the experimental watershed. In 2008, the auction was repeated and we accepted bids for an additional 35 rain gardens and 74 rain barrels. Stormwater management practices were distributed relatively evenly throughout the watershed and are expected to result in significant improvements in stream quality. We describe our monitoring approach, including 1) parcel-scale hydrology and water quality monitoring of selected rain gardens, and 2) stream monitoring following before-after-control-impact approach for assessing the hydrological, water quality, and biotic responses to stormwater management installation. By employing a multidisciplinary approach to watershed management, the case study offers an example of stormwater management that should be readily transferable to other residential watersheds.

Using Economic Incentives to Manage Stormwater Runoff in the Shepherd Creek Watershed, Part I

Using Economic Incentives to Manage Stormwater Runoff in the Shepherd Creek Watershed, Part I
Author: Allison H. Roy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2008
Genre: Urban runoff
ISBN:

Communities nationwide are facing increased responsibility for controlling stormwater runoff, and, subsequently, rising costs of stormwater management. In this report we describe and test a methodology that can be used by communities to focus limited budgets on the most efficient and ecologically-effective installation of stormwater management practices. The overall project has two primary objectives: (1) to test the use of an auction to cost-effectively allocate stormwater management practices among landowners, and (2) to determine the effectiveness of the resulting implementation in terms of hydrological, water quality, and ecological measures. Here, we describe the theories, methods, and criteria used to distribute rain gardens and rain barrels to homeowners in a small, midwestern watershed. The first round of the reverse auction in 2007 resulted in 50 rain gardens and 100 rain barrels installed at 67 of the approximately 350 residential properties in the experimental watershed. In 2008, the auction was repeated and we accepted bids for an additional 35 rain gardens and 74 rain barrels. Stormwater management practices were distributed relatively evenly throughout the watershed and are expected to result in significant improvements in stream quality. We describe our monitoring approach, including 1) parcel-scale hydrology and water quality monitoring of selected rain gardens, and 2) stream monitoring following before-after-control-impact approach for assessing the hydrological, water quality, and biotic responses to stormwater management installation. By employing a multidisciplinary approach to watershed management, the case study offers an example of stormwater management that should be readily transferable to other residential watersheds.

Urban Stormwater Management in the United States

Urban Stormwater Management in the United States
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 611
Release: 2009-03-17
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0309125391

The rapid conversion of land to urban and suburban areas has profoundly altered how water flows during and following storm events, putting higher volumes of water and more pollutants into the nation's rivers, lakes, and estuaries. These changes have degraded water quality and habitat in virtually every urban stream system. The Clean Water Act regulatory framework for addressing sewage and industrial wastes is not well suited to the more difficult problem of stormwater discharges. This book calls for an entirely new permitting structure that would put authority and accountability for stormwater discharges at the municipal level. A number of additional actions, such as conserving natural areas, reducing hard surface cover (e.g., roads and parking lots), and retrofitting urban areas with features that hold and treat stormwater, are recommended.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Fundamentals and Design

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Fundamentals and Design
Author: Allen P. Davis
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 516
Release: 2022-07-26
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1118590198

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Fundamentals and Design Discover novel stormwater control measures to make for a greener tomorrow! The protection of our aquatic resources is growing in importance as the effects of climate change and continued urbanization are felt throughout the world. While most rain that falls onto vegetated spaces infiltrates the soil, rain that falls onto impervious surfaces will not, increasing downstream flooding and erosion and causing impaired water quality. Impervious surfaces such as road infrastructure, rooftops, and parking areas all increase runoff and mobilize many pollutants that have deposited on these surfaces that are then carried into our waterways. Proper management of this stormwater through green infrastructure is essential to address these challenges and reduce the environmental and ecological impacts brought about by this runoff. This book brings into focus resilient stormwater control measures (SCMs) for the reduction of stormwater flows and associated pollutants that can detrimentally impact our local environmental and ecological systems. These interventions are green infrastructure based, utilizing natural hydrologic and environmental features using soil and vegetation to manage stormwater. These technologies include water harvesting, bioretention and bioinfiltration, vegetated swales and filter strips, permeable pavements, sand filters, green roofs, and stormwater wetlands, among others. The basic science and engineering of these technologies is discussed, including performance information and best maintenance practices. Green Stormwater Infrastructure readers will also find: Research-informed resilient SCM design fundamentals Diagrams developed by the authors to enhance understanding Case studies to illustrate the points elucidated in the book End-of-chapter problems with a separate solutions manual Green Stormwater Infrastructure is an ideal resource for environmental, civil, and biological engineers and environmental scientists in the consulting field. Landscape architects, managers and engineers of watershed districts, and members of federal, state, and local governmental agencies—especially those in the departments of environmental protection and transportation—will find many uses for this guidebook. It will also be of interest to professors, upper-level undergraduates and graduate students in environmental, civil, and biological engineering programs.