Low Impact DevelopmentAnd

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Some background…

Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy…who are we?A county-wide organization dedicated to

preserving and enhancing the water quality, scenic beauty and ecological health of the lakes, streams and watersheds of the Chautauqua region.

Chadkoin River

Chautauqua Lake Outlet Preserve

I. Low Impact Development - LIDA. Definition 1: LID is a set of site design

approaches and stormwater management practices designed to reduce development impacts to land, water and air.

Definition 2: LID is an approach to land development that uses various land planning and design practices and technologies that conserve and protect natural resources and reduce infrastructure costs.

For this Envirothon topic, we will concentrate on development’s impacts to water, both surface lakes and streams and underground water.

Assume understanding of the water cycle and the functioning of a watershed

The Water Cycle

Courtesy of Sandusky River Watershed Coalition

Condensation

Goals of LIDPreserve open space and minimize land

disturbanceProtect natural systems and processes such as

drainage ways, vegetation, soils and wetlands, including the water cycle

Reexamine the use and sizing of traditional infrastructure such as parking lots, streets, curbs, gutters and sidewalks; customize the site design

Incorporate natural site elements (wetlands, stream corridors, mature forests) as design elements

Decentralize and micromanage stormwater at its source

One example This…

…NOT this.

B. Best Management Practices BMPs

1) Typesa. Structural

1. Constructed devices that detain, retain, filter or infiltrate runoff.2. Examples: bioretention basins, rain gardens, tree box filters, porous pavements and green roofs

b. Non-structural1. Strategies and methods of planning and site design to minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff.2. Concepts are integrated into land use regulations and zoning ordinances.

3. Examples of Non-structural LID BMPs:maximum impervious cover limitswaterbody setback requirementssmaller lot sizes preserving existing pervious space to reduce runoffpreserving critical areas such as wetlands, riparian

buffers and floodplains.

Were non-structural LID BMPs used here?

Courtesy of

K & B and The City

Example of a Cluster Design

Courtesy of K & B and

The City

What structural BMPs might you add to improve this development?

Courtesy of ZinCo USA Inc.

Porous paversPermeable pavement

Green roof…really it is!!

2) Pros of LID BMP useLowers costsHigher property values Preserving land for open spaceProtects wildlife habitatsReduction in runoff volumesReduction in nutrientsReduces streambank erosion Maintains a groundwater supplyPreserves water quality by filtering stormwaterImproved aestheticsIncreased recreational opportunities due to

proximity to open space

Cons of LID BMP UseCosts more to retrofit than to install (some say

not true)

Depends on soil, permeability, slope and water table

Better planning can be made easier with town or municipal ordinances which can be difficult to adopt

May need a mindset change…not always easy.

Benefits for everyone

From LID NewsFall 2006

SW MI Planning

C. Impacts on storm water 1. Decentralize and micromanage

storm water at its source

Slows it down, spreads it out, soaks it in. Cuts off the flow of water where it begins.

How: by using LID practices, techniques, strategies

Reduce impermeable surfaces, disconnect downspouts

2. Reduced storm water runoff volume

More water is returned to the ground on site.

by: reducing impermeable surfaces, using permeable pavers, green roofs, bioretention areas, grass swales

3. Delayed storm water runoff volumeDuring large rain events, spreading out the

water slows it down allowing it to better soak in.

by: bioretention areas, rain gardens, grassed swales

Fletcher Music Hall Chautauqua Institution

Permeable pavement Grassy swale

Courtesy of building architect, Michael Conroe, and landscape architect, Dean Gowan Photos by James Cavanaugh

Fletcher Music Hall Chautauqua Institution

Bioretention area

4. Enhanced groundwater rechargeSpreading it out and slowing it down,

allows it to better soak in.

Increased the potential fresh drinking water supply!

5. Storm water pollution reductions

Ground filtration removes metals and nutrients from storm water. Pollutants are often more concentrated in the first flush, the first ½ inch of rainfall. Critical to allow the water to slowly soak into the ground.

by: bioretention areas, grassy swales, rain gardens, natural, well-vegetated open space, trees!!

One 12” diameter maple holds 100 gallons of water and 3 lb of P;

Double to 24” it holds 580 gallons and 19 lb.

6. Reduced sewer overflow events Storm water is not supposed to be in the sewer system. Large rain events can infiltrate damaged sewer pipes, causing sewer water to emerge.

Special note to steep slopes: Leave them untouched.

Storm water runoff can cause significant erosion with sediments being added to the runoff.

D. Hydrologic impactsLID practices connect people to ecological

systems. LID helps people not screw up the water cycle!

BF Environmental Consultants

Sarasota BayEstuary Program

Development changed the use of the land

which

Increased runoff

Decreased evapo

Decreased infiltration

The effectiveness of a practice is evaluated by four criteria:

Runoff curve number (CN): runoff potential of a site

Time of concentration: time to the watershed outlet

Retention: ability to hold water

Detention: ability to hold water for shorter time

USEPA LID Literature Review

GOALS of LID:

Restore natural process Reduce runoff

Increase retention time

Increase infiltration

E. Water Quality impacts Intended to remove pollutants from runoffPollutants include grease and oil, nutrients

(phosphorus and nitrogen), sediments and heavy metals

First flush of runoff (caused by first ½ inch of rain), contains the highest pollutant loadings

LID practices often control the first 2 inches of rainfall, thus treating much of the annual runoff

Bioretention areas remove 64-98% of lead, copper & zinc and 0-92% of phosphorus and nitrogen

USEPA LID Literature Review

II. Nonpoint Source PollutionA. Definition:

Water pollution from diffuse sources caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground picking up natural and man-made pollutants.

Adopted from USEPA

B. Impacts on natural resources1) Surface water a. Flooding and property damage b. Streambank and streambed erosion c. Siltation and sedimentation d. Increased water temperature e. Harm to aquatic life f. Harm to coastal shellfish g. Harm to sport fishing h. Human illnesses i. Threats to drinking water supplies j. Aesthetic lossses

2) Ground water

C. Sources or Causes of NPS1. Increased volume and velocity of water:

The Impervious Cover Factor (Urban sprawl)

a. Types of impervious cover

b. Impervious thresholds

c. Increased volume of runoff

d. Storm events

e. Decreased natural purification functions

2. Increased discharge of pollutantsa. Main categories 1) Metals 2) Organic chemicals-pesticides, oil, grease 3) Pathogens-bacteria 4) Nutrients-nitrogen, phosphorus 5) Biochemical oxygen demand-grass, leaves, animal

& human waste 6) Sediment 7) Salts 8) Pharmaceuticals 9) Litter

b. Sourcesa. Vehiclesb. Roads and parking lotsc. Landscaping and ground maintenance

d. Construction sitese. Septic systemsf. Illicit connections to storm sewersg. Uncovered materials stored outsideh. Street, sidewalk and airport deicingi. Landfillsj. Domestic and wild animals (agriculture)k. Pesticide/ herbicide usel. Pharmaceutical usem.

D. LawsThe 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act

(CWA) established the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program. Section 319 addresses the need for greater federal leadership to help focus state and local nonpoint source efforts. Under Section 319, states, territories and tribes receive grant money that supports a wide variety of activities including technical assistance, financial assistance, education, training, technology transfer, demonstration projects and monitoring to assess the success of specific nonpoint source implementation projects. US EPA

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the United States. (The Act does not deal directly with groundwater nor with water quantity issues.) The statute employs a variety of regulatory and non-regulatory tools to reduce direct pollutant discharges into waterways, finance municipal wastewater treatment facilities, and manage polluted runoff. These tools are employed to achieve the broader goal of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters so that they can support "the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water."  

The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments Section 6217 addresses nonpoint pollution problems in coastal waters. Section 6217 requires states and territories with approved Coastal Zone Management Programs to develop Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs. Done jointly with NOAA, as of 2010, 34 states and territories participate in this program. 

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. The lead federal agencies for implementing ESA are the US Fish and Wildlife and NOAA. 

The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA - also known as the Ocean Dumping Act) prohibits the dumping of material into the ocean that would unreasonably degrade or endanger human health or the marine environment. Virtually all material ocean dumped today is dredged material (sediments) removed from the bottom of waterbodies in order to maintain navigation channels and berthing areas. Other materials that are currently ocean disposed include fish wastes, human remains, and vessels.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. Under SDWA, EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards.  USEPA

E. Permitting1. Federal law (CWA) is implemented by NYSDEC.

2. Three State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) general permits required for activities associated stormwater discharges.

a. The Multi-sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities (MSGP) addresses stormwater runoff from certain industrial activities.

b. A federal regulation, commonly known as Stormwater Phase II, requires permits for stormwater discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in urbanized areas.

c. Construction activities disturbing one or more acres of soil must be authorized under the General Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Construction Activities. Permittees are required to develop a SWPPP to prevent discharges of construction-related pollutants to surface waters.

Total maximum daily loads (TMDL)CWA section 303(d)(1)(C) requires states to identify waterbodies

that do not meet water quality standards after application of the technology-based standards for point source pollution. States must then establish a TMDL for those water bodies to bring them into compliance with water quality standards. The standards are submitted to the EPA for approval. As TMDLs are looking at the total amount of loading, this by definition includes nonpoint sources, so if nonpoint sources are impairing a body of water, the TMDL would have to address a way to reduce those nonpoint sources.

Concentrated Animal Feeding OperationsDepending on the number of animals at a particular site,

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) may generate significant amounts of manure. One method to remove the manure is to apply it to land for fertilization. However, in an effort to dispose of manure at a reduced costs, some CAFOs have applied excess amounts of manure to land areas. The excess amounts of manure may then be washed away by rain into surface waters. The CWA specifically exempts agricultural storm water runoff from being considered a point source, but, the EPA may treat land applications of excessive amounts of manure as a point source. So while in general agricultural storm water runoff from CAFOs is a nonpoint source, CAFOs may end up requiring a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit under the CWA. USEPA

III. Community DevelopmentA. Impacts on the watershed

1) Impervious surface-1 inch of rain on 1 acre of meadow

produces 218 cubic feet (1630 gal) of runoff; 1 inch of rain on 1 acre of paved parking lot produces 3,450 cubic feet (25, 807 gal) of runoff

-10% developed land caused a nearby river to discharge at 4 cubic feet per second; 70-80% developed land causes discharge at 700-800 cubic feet per second

2) Storm water hydrology-increased volumes and velocity of water-less infiltration thus poorer quality

Sarasota BayEstuary Program

B. Community Practices

a. Advantages of LID designs

1. Reduce visual impact of large storm water management facilities2. Have additional development area without end-of-pipe pond; possibly nicer public

space 3. Utilize the landscape for storm water4. Reduce development costs5. Reduced runoff volume and rate which will

reduce storm water utility fees6. Can usually meet water quality requirements

by keeping hydrologic function7. Curb appeal, public education and green is

in.

b. Concerns about LID designs

1. Adherence to building and zoning codes2. Construction regulations3. Communities may have specific runoff volumes and rates not based on LID4. Suitability of LID practices for the conditions:slope, soil type, groundwater table,available open space, location of existing utilities, annual rainfall5. Community buy in

2) Around your home

Curb retentionBioretention area

Permeable pavers

Gutter extensions

Rain barrels Rain garden

And if your home is on a waterbody…BUFFER STRIPS

Vegetated areas at the water’s edge planted ONLY with NATIVE

species

C. Regulations on development1. Buildings and structures: In New York

State, all development is regulated by the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code. These regulations are enforced by local towns and villages who administer building permits. Local towns and villages adopt their own building and zoning codes that can exceed the state regulations.

Elephant House Buffalo Zoo

Chautauqua Institution Photos by J. Cavanaugh

2. Special protections involving watera. Classifications of water bodies

AA through D: drinking water source to non-contact

b. NYS Freshwater Wetlands PermitRequired for any physical disturbance, within the

boundary or within the 100 foot adjacent area, of a state protected freshwater wetland.

c. NYS Protection of Waters Permit

Required for:- the disturbance of the bed or banks of a protected

stream, which includes water bodies in the course of a stream of 10 acres or more, with a water classification and standard of C(T) or higher (A and B classifications).

- for the excavation or placing of fill in navigable waters of the state, below the mean high water level, including adjacent and contiguous marshes and wetlands, with a water classification and standard of C or D (or higher).

Permit needed? Which type?LID? Who is responsible?

What regulations apply here? What permits may be needed?

Review of LID PracticesStructural BMPs Non-Structural BMPs

Green roof Cluster designTree box filter Impervious cover limitsBioretention area Water setback regsBuffer strips, grassy swales Smaller lot sizeRain gardens Preserve natural space, trees!Permeable pavements Site design to reduce

runoffRain barrels, cisterns Site design to manageGutter disconnects stormwaterNative plants Site design to preserve land,

water and air

Can you identify these?1 2 3

4 5 6

Whew!!!

conroejane68@gmail.com

Questions