FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Increasingly, communities across the nation have found strategies to prevent, control and treat urban and suburban stormwater pollution that are effective, economically advantageous, and that can provide collateral benefits to the community. NRDC's research and its information on actual programs, presented in over 100 case studies, documents and demonstrates these successes. The programs and strategies highlighted come from communities of all sizes, types, and regions. They include efforts by municipal agencies, developers, and community groups. In many cases, several of these groups worked together to create win-win outcomes. NRDC commends those communities that have accepted the challenge of a new issue and have responded creatively and effectively.

Individually, the case studies provide detailed examples of substantial water quality improvement, effective or innovative stormwater control strategies to protect the natural environment, significant cost-savings, and important ancillary benefits to the community. They achieved success using a variety of strategies that addressed stormwater in new developments and redevelopments, promoted public education and participation, controlled construction site runoff, detected and eliminated improper or illegal discharges and connections to the storm sewer system, and implemented pollution prevention measures for municipal operations. Their specific successes are discussed in greater detail in Chapter 5. Table 1-1 summarizes the highlights from the case studies. In this chapter, NRDC summarizes the major themes derived from the case studies and background research followed by a set of recommended local actions for addressing stormwater runoff.

The Foundation of Success

Collectively, the case studies present a clear model for success. NRDC distilled the common elements among the highlighted programs into the following broad themes. Since they are based on actual programs, these themes serve as an excellent guidance for communities as they begin or continue to address stormwater issues. NRDC found that when followed, these themes formed a solid foundation for successful programs.

Preventing Pollution is Highly Effective and Saves Money

The case studies demonstrate that the range of measures known as "pollution prevention" dramatically and cost-effectively reduce the quantity and concentration of pollutants winding up in stormwater. While the rain cannot be controlled, its stormwater impacts can, to a large degree, be managed. Management, planning, development design, or material substitution or reduction that incorporates stormwater pollution prevention before an activity takes place, are almost always the most effective and cost-effective means to reducing stormwater pollution. However, in already highly urbanized areas, such measures may not be possible. In such cases, several communities have found treatment of runoff with structural measures to be an effective alternative.

Preserving and Utilizing Natural Features and Processes Have Many Benefits

Many communities and developers found management measures that rely on natural processes to be highly effective and efficient. Undeveloped landscapes absorb large quantities of rainfall and snowmelt; vegetation helps to filter out pollutants from stormwater. These communities have benefited from implementing environmentally friendly alternative site design or "greenfrastructure" by saving money and optimizing open space. Buffer zones, conservation-designed development, sensitive area protection, or encouragement of infill development all try to enhance natural processes and are among the most effective stormwater programs highlighted.

Strong Incentives, Routine Monitoring, and Consistent Enforcement Establishes Accountability

The case studies demonstrate that enforcement, or more broadly accountability, is a key element to improving water quality. Routine monitoring and inspection, periodic audits, clear standards of performance, as well as strong incentives and disincentives to address stormwater are all effective ways to promote accountability. The case studies demonstrate that programs with high accountability often reduce pollutant loadings by 50 percent or greater.

Establishing a Dedicated Source of Funding Ensures Long-Term Viability of Programs and Public Support

The case studies found that effective stormwater programs are financially viable and affordable. Low-cost and cost-effective programs and stormwater management measures can be found around the country. Dedicated funding sources, such as stormwater utilities or dedicated environmental fees, help ensure that stormwater programs are stable over time and help gain public support. Creative staffing, public-public and public-private collaboration, and building off existing programs are all budget-saving measures found in the case studies.

Strong Leadership is Often a Catalyst For Success

Many times, success, at least at first, requires an individual to champion the project and make it happen. Often that person is motivated by other concerns as well as water quality. Several of the case studies highlight a particular individual or group that initiated an innovative strategy or encouraged a particular approach. In many cases, leadership and persistence may be all a community needs to get moving in the right direction.

Effective Administration is Critical

Regardless of which strategies a community chooses, those with clear goals and objectives were most successful. Such clarity enhances accountability, responsibility, and trust. Furthermore, an established and understood institutional framework often improved administration by fostering collaboration among different parts and levels of government, neighboring communities, and local citizens. Effective administration allows implementation of broad-based, multi-faceted programs, which these studies suggest are often the most effective at controlling the diffuse problem of stormwater pollution. By taking this approach, many communities were able to achieve multiple goals, creating win-win situations.

Recommendations For Local Action

In the most simple terms, the case studies demonstrate two sides of the same coin: almost everything has an impact on stormwater pollution and stormwater pollution prevention measures work.

In somewhat more detail, the case studies also demonstrate the importance of certain steps in addressing stormwater pollution. Looking deeper into the case studies, NRDC extracted a set of recommended actions, or goals, for communities to consider when planning, implementing, or improving stormwater programs. These key actions cut across the broader themes presented above and when considered together, build a strong framework for effective, efficient, and successful stormwater management over the long-term. NRDC recommends that these actions, which appear throughout the case studies, be considered in all phases and components of stormwater programs.

Plan in Advance and Set Clear Goals

Communities should carefully plan programs as opposed to simply reacting to provided opportunities, crises, or transient pressure. Planning allows development of more effective and cost-effective actions. An essential outcome of this planning is to address the issues and concerns of all stakeholders involved. This planning does not require large staffs or extensive technology.

Encourage and Facilitate Broad Participation

Programs should involve multiple levels of government, key members of the community, and professionals from a variety of related disciplines in the planning and program development process. Municipalities should include all key stakeholders in overall growth plans, individual site development, education efforts, and construction programs.

Work to Prevent Pollution First; Rely on Structural Treatment Only When Necessary

Communities should focus on prevention-based approaches, through regional and watershed planning, local zoning ordinances, preservation of natural areas, stormwater-sensitive site design, widespread compliance with dumping and connection prohibitions, erosion prevention, and broad-based education as it is significantly more effective than treatment of polluted runoff. In areas already highly urbanized, structural treatment measures may need to be considered.

Establish and Maintain Accountability

All actors -- local governments, developers, construction contractors, local industry, and local citizens -- need a clear statement of what performance level they are to accomplish and need to be held by all the others to accomplish it. Local officials should facilitate this process by setting clear standards, creating incentives, conducting routine monitoring, promoting public availability of stormwater plans and permits, and consistently and strongly enforcing laws and regulations. Innovative strategies and approaches should be considered and encouraged, making administrative adjustments where necessary. While programs need to be comprehensive, strong enforcement is often key to significant water quality improvements.

Create a Dedicated Funding Source

A stable funding source is critical to program success and community support. Stormwater fees have proven effective and popular for paying for necessary measures without political or community resistance. We recommend that communities consider a stormwater utility as a dedicated and equitable funding source.

Tailor Strategies to the Region and Setting

Recognizing that every case will be different, municipalities should consider strategies that are particularly tailored to the region, the specific audience, and the problem. However, the basic framework of effective strategies often follow similar outlines as demonstrated in the case studies.

Build Broad-Based Programs

Municipalities should include and encourage planning education, public participation, regulation, monitoring, and enforcement in stormwater programs. Key to this outcome is the public's understanding of the issue, how it relates to them, and what they can do about it. Communities should look for public-public and private-public collaboration opportunities.

Evaluate and Allow for Evolution of Programs

Municipalities should set clear goals and priorities, and allow their programs to develop over time. Stormwater management is an iterative process and programs do not end with implementation of the first measures. Programs need to evolve as new issues arise, new technologies and strategies are developed, and the community or watershed changes. Checking to see that goals and objectives are being met opens opportunities for improvement and helps ensure long-term success.

Recognize the Importance of Associated Community Benefits

Communities and local officials should recognize that stormwater pollution prevention measures usually offer ancillary quality-of-life benefits as well. Preserved areas offer parks, ponds offer beauty and habitat, clean streets are more attractive, education helps empower people, sediment control improves fisheries and prevents flooding. Conversely, most every-day municipal actions have stormwater ramifications.