Stormwater…Stormwater…Problems & SolutionsProblems & Solutions
Stormwater…Stormwater…Problems & SolutionsProblems & Solutions
Jim Nash
A water resources A water resources commissionercommissioner
Then…Then…Unique to MichiganUnique to Michigan
Initially cleared swamps and marshesInitially cleared swamps and marshes
Each township had a drain commissionerEach township had a drain commissioner
……and Nowand Now
There are 83 counties in MichiganThere are 83 counties in Michigan
Only 66 of them have drain commissionersOnly 66 of them have drain commissioners
Environmental servicesEnvironmental services
Lake levels, soil erosion prevention, drainageLake levels, soil erosion prevention, drainage
Water treatment and distributionWater treatment and distribution
Wastewater collection and treatmentWastewater collection and treatment
Important Keys for Clean Important Keys for Clean WaterWater
No Single Program Holds the SolutionNo Single Program Holds the Solution
Educating the Public / Community Educating the Public / Community LeadersLeaders
Land Use PlanningLand Use Planning
Promote Green Infrastructure Promote Green Infrastructure AlternativesAlternatives
Embrace New TechnologyEmbrace New Technology
Pollution Sources Have Pollution Sources Have EvolvedEvolved
1972 Clean Water Act1972 Clean Water ActPoint Sources Were Dominant Pollution Point Sources Were Dominant Pollution CauseCause
Today, Pollution Sources Have EvolvedToday, Pollution Sources Have EvolvedStormwater Runoff, non-point source pollutionStormwater Runoff, non-point source pollution
Failing Septic SystemsFailing Septic Systems
Jurisdictional Lines add ComplexityJurisdictional Lines add Complexity
New Stormwater RulesNew Stormwater Rules
More comprehensive than 2003 permitMore comprehensive than 2003 permit
Requires standards ordinance:Requires standards ordinance:Limits volumeLimits volume
Establishes quality of dischargeEstablishes quality of discharge
Doesn’t exceed pre-development rateDoesn’t exceed pre-development rate
First 1-inch (90% of storms) must be First 1-inch (90% of storms) must be treatedtreated
Engaging Municipalities in Engaging Municipalities in Climate Adaptation for Water Climate Adaptation for Water
Resources: The Role of Resources: The Role of Boundary OrganizationsBoundary Organizations
Rebecca EsselmanHuron River Watershed Council
Creating Climate Resilient Creating Climate Resilient CommunitiesCommunities
Goal: pilot a process to address local climate Goal: pilot a process to address local climate change impacts by convening interested change impacts by convening interested stakeholders to determine information stakeholders to determine information needs and strategies that build resiliency in needs and strategies that build resiliency in the watershedthe watershed
Sector-based WorkgroupsSector-based Workgroups
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE:WATER INFRASTRUCTURE:For practitioners involved with water For practitioners involved with water utilities, wastewater treatment utilities, wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater managementfacilities, stormwater management
IN-STREAM FLOWS:IN-STREAM FLOWS:For dam operators, fisheries biologists, For dam operators, fisheries biologists, and hydrologistsand hydrologists
NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE:NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE:For land managers involved with For land managers involved with natural areas preservation, restoration, natural areas preservation, restoration, and managementand management
Implications of precipitation Implications of precipitation changeschanges
Fact Sheets on IssuesFact Sheets on IssuesStormwater Detention and ConveyanceStormwater Detention and Conveyance
Bankfull EventsBankfull Events
Lake Level ManagementLake Level Management
Floodplain DefinitionFloodplain Definition
Fact Sheets on Best Practices/SolutionsFact Sheets on Best Practices/SolutionsRevision of Stormwater RulesRevision of Stormwater Rules
Green InfrastructureGreen Infrastructure