For the last 50 years, heavy rain events have been happening more frequently across the Midwest. “It’s not a large increase, but it’s measurable, We’re going to have to build our systems to be more resilient to basically cope with changing variability. Variability is a key, key issue for us as a society,” says Jeffrey Andresen.
Instead of simply storing excess water that seeps into the sanitary sewer system when rain falls and snow melts, Blueprint Columbus will address the source of the problem. “What we’re seeing in cities like Columbus is part of a trend toward using green infrastructure to meet specific needs of utilities while generating a host of additional benefits for their communities. These cities are turning their infrastructural liabilities into assets,” wrote Steve Goldsmith.
“There’s no question that land development has an impact on our local ecology. One of the most visible and loved ecological features of a community is its water – its streams and rivers, lakes and wetlands. In working with the conservation sector, we decided to focus on these ecosystems to highlight their value and show how they are changing as our community grows over time,” said Nancy Hofer.
“A watershed blueprint helps to create a picture of how to achieve a desired future condition. If communities reduce their ‘water footprint’, and if local government actions ensure the integrity of groundwater flow, they can then protect watershed and stream health. This is a reason for conserving wetlands,” stated Kim Stephens.
“The stream health methodology embedded in the Water Balance Model enables a watershed target to be established. It also enables the user to assess how to meet the watershed target at the site scale. This helps planners and designers wrap their minds around how to implement ‘design with nature’ solutions on-the-ground,” explains Ted van der Gulik.
“The rule proposal would expand the universe of regulated stormwater discharges, requiring new controls for newly developed and redeveloped sites and possibly even old developments. It could also expand the number of cities and towns regulated as Municipal Separate Sewer Systems (MS4s) under the Clean Water Act,” wrote Annie Snider.
According to Jeremy Bauer, “Key elements of the rule’s approach include integrating green infrastructure into project design, viewing stormwater as a resource, and generally slowing the flow of runoff to allow more infiltration, which will not only reduce the volume of runoff but also the amount of pollutants reaching receiving waters.”
“Urban trees have popular appeal and are also highly regulated. Most cities have bylaws that protect mature trees from being cut down and dictate how many trees must accompany new development. There is also increasing research and awareness around the role trees play in urban ecosystems and infrastructure,” wrote Wendy Stueck.
“When it rains, the water needs somewhere to go. Ideally, that someplace is a forest or meadow, which filters and absorbs the water into the ground. But when, instead of natural vegetation, we have rooftops and pavement, the natural process is broken and the water runs off, gaining volume and velocity,” write Kaid Benfield.
“All the impermeable surfaces in cities create the ideal condition for excess water to overwhelm our already strained municipal stormwater systems. Municipalities, property developers and homeowners must work together to better manage stormwater,” stated Bob Sandford.
