Stormwater Science
by Kathy Barnard, Marketing and News Services
Where is all of the rain water of the past several weeks ending up, and more importantly to WSU Extension educator Curtis Hinman, how is it getting to its final destination?
How development of once open, plant-covered spaces changes stormwater movement over and through the landscape is one of the greatest threats to water quality, supply and aquatic habitat in the Puget Sound area, according to Hinman, who works at the WSU Pierce County Extension office at Tacoma. One of five Extension faculty working on water issues in the Puget Sound Basin, he researches, designs and monitors low impact development strategies for that region.
"Both resources and attention are turning to stormwater management throughout western Washington," said Hinman. "We have started to realize that even a small amount of urbanization can dramatically affect the watershed." Read more »
What Can You Do?
Saving Puget Sound
Curtis Hinman, watershed ecologist in the Washington State University Extension office in Pierce County and Jim Brennan, marine habitat specialist with Washington Sea Grant, answer your questions about what can you do your home to help. Read questions and answers in The Seattle Times »
Of related interest: Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution Brochure [PDF Format] - This short brochure from EPA is targeted directly to homeowners and provides tips on a wide variety of simple things that homeowner's can do to prevent stormwater pollution. May be customized.
Water Quality and the Effects on Salmon
Restoring Puget Sound is a long-term project now underway with support from Governor Gregoire and funding from the Washington Legislature. Some of the region's best scientists were appointed to a Science Panel that will assist the Governor's Puget Sound Partnership in making decisions and developing programs that incorporate a strong scientific solution to restoring the Sound. Read more »
Resource Articles
Assessing and Managing the Ecological Impacts of Paved Roads
All phases of road development from construction and use by vehicles to maintenance affect physical and chemical soil conditions, water flow, and air and water quality, as well as plants and animals. Roads and traffic can alter wildlife habitat, cause vehicle-related mortality, impede animal migration, and disperse nonnative pest species of plants and animals. Integrating environmental considerations into all phases of transportation is an important, evolving process. The increasing awareness of environmental issues has made road development more complex and controversial. Over the past two decades, the Federal Highway Administration and state transportation agencies have increasingly recognized the importance of the effects of transportation on the natural environment. This report provides guidance on ways to reconcile the different goals of road development and environmental conservation. It identifies the ecological effects of roads that can be evaluated in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of roads and offers several recommendations to help better understand and manage ecological impacts of paved roads. Read the book online for free »
Storm Water Low-Impact Development, Conventional Structural, and
Manufactured Treatment Strategies for Parking Lot Runoff: Performance Evaluations Under Varied Mass Loading Conditions
Eleven storm water treatment strategies were evaluated for water quality performance and storm volume reduction during rainfall–runoff events between September 2004 and August 2005. Read the University of New Hampshire report on porous pavements » or check out the related PowerPoint presentation »
Water Quality News and Information
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Upstream: Salmon and Society in the Pacific Northwest
Upstream offers specific recommendations for salmon rehabilitation that take into account the key role that genetic variability plays in salmon survival and the urgent need for habitat protection and management of fishing. The volume explores the complications and conflicts surrounding the problem of declining salmon populations--presenting available data on the status of salmon populations and an illustrative case study. Read the book for free online »