At the Center for Watershed Protection, one of the most common questions we receive from workshop attendees, partner organizations and local government staff who request our assistance is "do you know of a community who has implemented [insert watershed management practice here] so I can get a copy of their design specs, ordinance, or educational materials?" In addition, a common argument that we hear from municipal staff, developers, and elected officials against using newfangled practices such as LID is that "what worked in New York City won't work for us. We're different." Having an available library of case study examples of successful application of watershed protection measures in a wide range of communities is helpful to address both of these concerns. We've compiled a suite of case studies here that focus on the Atlantic coastal plain so that other coastal plain communities can see examples that work for their region. This includes:

• Coastal LID Case Studies. This page contains nine successful coastal LID case studies developed through site visits, research, and interviews and provides designs, cost, monitoring information, pictures, and helpful tips for several project types spanning from Connecticut to Texas.
• Coastal plain watershed management tool case studies. The Center recently adapted its Eight Tools of Watershed Protection for the coastal plain and, as part of this effort, compiled some case study examples of their application.
• Links to other useful case study websites. Several other organizations provide excellent resources for finding local case studies, most notably the National NEMO Network's LID Atlas.

Coastal Plain Watershed Management Tool Case Studies

The Center recently adapted its Eight Tools of Watershed Protection for the coastal plain and, as part of this effort, compiled some case study examples of their application. Case studies are included to illustrate land use planning, land conservation, aquatic buffers, Better Site Design, non-stormwater discharges, and watershed stewardship.

Land Use Planning

Broward County, Florida Integrated Water Resource Plan

Broward County-wide Integrated Water Resource Plan (IWRP) is the Broward community’s approach to addressing water resource management over a ten-year planning horizon. By necessity, it employs an adaptive management process that responds to unique local conditions such as topography, lack of natural storage, the seasonal and spatial variability in rainfall, and the changing needs reflected in the broader long-term regional plans of Everglades restoration and regional water supply. In taking this approach, the IWRP has been able to address the challenges presented by rapid population growth, a diverse water management community, and the need to maintain system integrity. Its successful implementation helps to ensure that groundwater and surface water levels are sufficient to meet wetland system and public infrastructure needs, while preventing saltwater intrusion and providing aquifer recharge and flood control.

Northern Beaufort County, South Carolina:  Regional Plan

Facing a growth projection of approximately 53% by 2025, Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort, the Town of Port Royal, and the Town of Yemassee, developed a regional comprehensive plan to identify a set of common regional goals to manage this growth.  The plan was developed by a steering committee with representatives from each jurisdiction and a technical advisory committee that provided expertise on planning topics.  The plan provides a regional planning framework that each jurisdiction agrees to use as guidance for local level planning decisions.  The plan includes a land use plan, transportation planning strategy, the fiscal impacts of growth, environmental standards, regional planning initiatives, and a framework for implementation.  The plan delineates a future growth boundary that includes preserving over 60% of land for rural use.  The plan is the starting point for an ongoing collaborative regional planning process.

City of Punta Gorda, Florida: Climate Change Planning

The City of Punta Gorda, Florida is taking steps to mitigate the effects of climate change through the development of an adaptation plan and integrating growth management strategies for the coastal planning area and coastal high hazard area in the City Comprehensive Plan.  An adaptation plan was developed through the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, funded by EPA Region 4.

The City’s Comprehensive Plan contains a Conservation and Coastal Management Element that provides direction on addressing urban development in coastal areas.  Specific strategies include:

• Limiting new residential development in tropical storm and Category 1 Vulnerability zones unless adequate hazard mitigation is provided
• If a structure is damaged more than 50% of it’s value, it has to be brought into compliance with existing code
• Use Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)
• New development is required to meet minimum FEMA floor elevation standards
• Acquire undeveloped land on the waterfront for preservation
• Develop post-disaster redevelopment plans 

Land Conservation

Hernando County, Florida

From 1980 to 2008, the population of Hernando County, FL, nearly tripled, growing from 44,469 to 175,000 residents.  In 1988, as a response, in part, to this tremendous growth and a rapid rate of land development, the County established an Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) Program that aimed to preserve the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of the County.  A bond referendum allows the County to levy taxes to support the acquisition of lands that are ranked as environmentally valuable.  There is also a Conservation Element Chapter of the County’s Comprehensive Plan that clearly states the County’s conservation goals and gives it the ability to protect and conserve the natural resources.

For lands to be considered for acquisition by the ESL program, sites must first be nominated to the County, and a field evaluation and site review conducted.  The project must demonstrate several of fifteen total requisite criteria that include: support of ecological communities, support of exceptional biodiversity, rarity or representation of vegetative communities, compatibility with surrounding land use, adjacent to existing conservation lands, manageability, consistency with the comprehensive plan, providing hydrologic integrity of natural systems, and providing recharge to the aquifer system.

An application is then submitted to an ESL Committee, and applications are reviewed and the projects are ranked according to specific Project Ranking Criteria.  A score of 30 or higher must be obtained in order for the land to be considered for acquisition.  The ranking criteria consist of specific questions about the natural value and unique features of the land.  Lands are assigned a range of point values in 5 different categories.  The categories, along with the maximum obtainable points are listed below:

• Ecological Criteria (max 20 pts)
• Resource Management Criteria (max 10 pts)
• Water Resources Criteria (max 10 pts)
• Greenways/Wildlife Criteria (max 6 pts)
• Acquisition Considerations (max 11 pts)

The top ranked projects must obtain final approval by the County Board of Commissioners before the land is targeted for acquisition.  The ESL program is voluntary and uses four methods for land acquisition: Fee Simple (acquired with property rights), Fee less than Simple (some property rights still held by fee title holder), donation, and bargain sale.  The last two options generally provide the property seller a tax incentive.

The project has been successful in acquiring thousands of acres of valuable natural resource lands. A map of the ESL lands, along with the specific ranking criteria and requisite conditions, are available at the planning website. 

Aquatic Buffers

Worcester County, Maryland: Protecting Aquatic Resources with Comprehensive Buffer Management

Worcester County encompasses approximately 304,000 acres of land on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.  The county is largely rural, but growing; its base population has grown by approximately 22% since 1990.  The local economy relies heavily on agriculture and poultry processing; 70% of the county is currently zoned for agriculture.  Tourism is also vital – seasonal influxes of visitors can peak to an additional 400,000 people during a summer week, over 8 times the county’s base population.  Protecting natural resources in such a climate is challenging and yet has been a key factor in increasing tourism over the last three decades.

Worcester County lies within two watersheds, the Pocomoke River that flows into the Chesapeake Bay and the Coastal Bays adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean.  The topography of the county is relatively flat and sensitive areas like bays and tidal marshes abound.  In 1984, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Act in response to growing concern over the decline of the quality and productivity of the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.  In 2002, the General Assembly passed the Atlantic Coastal Bays Protection Act for the purpose of preserving, protecting, and improving the water quality and natural habitats of the Atlantic Coastal Bays and their tributaries.  The Worcester County Commission established Resource Protection Programs for both the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays and recognized that the bays and their tributaries were resources of “great significance to the County” in the County Code.  Further, with regards to the Coastal Bays, the County found that the bays and their tributaries “constitute a valuable, fragile, and sensitive part of the estuarine system, where human activity can have a particularly immediate and adverse impact on water quality and natural habitats” and that “the capacity of these shorelines…to withstand continuing demands without further degradation to water quality and natural habitats is limited.”  To enhance the quality of life for its local citizens, the County supports the restoration of the quality and productivity of the bays and their tributaries through, among other land use planning decisions, comprehensive buffer management regulations.

The County requires a buffer setback of 100’ and, because of the limited distance between the headwaters of the watershed and the coastal bays themselves; the County has enacted additional protections to certain areas beyond the delineation of the Critical Area to limit the impact on the quality and function of the waterways.  The County’s ordinance also goes beyond state regulations for impacts to non-tidal wetlands and their buffers, sensitive species review areas, natural heritage areas and steep slopes with regards to mitigation in areas outside of the Critical Area.  This additional buffer was enforced in one instance on a rural parcel which had been submitted for a proposed development activity that included a home, garage, and other associated improvements.  The parcel was subject to the standard 100’ buffer but after further investigation through GIS and field visits it was determined that the rear of the property had a severe slope as well as non-tidal wetlands that approached the development activity.  As a result, the 100’ buffer was expanded to include the steep slope and non-tidal wetlands which relocated the development project further away from the sensitive wetlands and waterways.

The seasonal population fluxes make enforcement of buffer regulations a challenge.  Many homeowners purchase second homes in the county for vacationing and pleasure trips.  As a result, homeowners attempt to build new homes or additions to existing houses and then find themselves faced with Critical Area regulations.  Vacationers and tourists tend to find this frustrating; however, once they understand what the program entails and why it is in place, they are usually fully supportive of the regulations.  In addition, the regulations end up adding value to their properties.  Buffer regulations also apply in cases where the agricultural land does not have best management practices in place.  The County has found that agricultural operations, for the most part, agree with the intent of the regulations and do their part to protect and conserve our natural resources.

Any development activity within the Critical Areas (residential or commercial) requires mitigation to be conducted through the use of approved native plantings as well as a bond that is secured for a period of two years following the installation date of the plantings.  This required bond must be secured prior to the Department issuing a construction permit to the applicant/owner.  The bond ensures that the required plantings are installed on the property and, in certain rare cases, should the plantings not be installed by the owner, the Department has the right to use the bond money to have the plantings installed on the property.  In some instances, a valid stormwater management plan showing at least a 10% pollutant reduction may be combined with planting requirements.  A County Critical Area Inspector frequently meets property owners on site to give recommendations on the best types of plantings to use and also to determine the most effective locations in which to install the plantings to optimize water quality benefits.  The plantings are closely monitored by the Critical Area Inspector to ensure that the plants are installed in the correct location, that property owners are properly maintaining the plantings throughout the season, and that the plantings remain alive during the 2-year growing season.

Visit the Worcester County’s website for additional information on the buffer ordinance.

Better Site Design 

Darien, Georgia: Protecting Coastal Resources through Local Codes

The City of Darien, Georgia is located where the Altamaha River meets Sapelo Island, 50 miles south of Savannah.  The beautiful scenery brought an influx of development to the City in the early 2000’s.  Due to the growth pressure, the City developed regulations that would allow them to grow while protecting their natural resources.  The City developed Conservation Preservation Ordinances that are zoning ordinances that function similar to overlay districts.  These ordinances serve to protect wetlands, upland habitat and the stream corridors.  In addition, the City developed a Water Resources Protection Ordinance that included provisions for illicit discharge prohibitions, wetlands protection and a river corridor protection plan.  A design manual for managing stormwater runoff was also developed.  These new ordinances will allow for growth and development while preserving the marshes and waterways of the Altamaha Bioreserve.

To view the ordinances for Darien, GA visit the City website. 

North Charleston, South Carolina: Oak Terrace Preserve

Oak Terrace Preserve is a 55-acre sustainable redevelopment project located in the Noisette Community. Noisette is a large (3,000 acre) redevelopment project targeted for restoration as a sustainable community. The project is being implemented through a unique public-private partnership with the City of North Charleston as owner and the Noisette Company, LLC providing development management. The development provides green sustainable features in home construction, along with pocket parks, public space, a unique storm water management system, and an extensive tree preservation program.

The Oak Terrace Preserve project will consist of approximately 300 single-family homes and 74 townhomes when completed. The project is designed to provide affordable housing (prices starting in the $200,000s), while promoting sustainable design and implementation. Development activity commenced in mid-2006 and Phase I infrastructure was complete in mid-2007.   Phase I consists of 120 single-family and 36 townhome lots. It is anticipated that home building activity in Phase I will continue through 2008. Phase II and III development and infrastructure will begin in late 2008 or early 2009 and continue through 2009.

An important aspect incorporated into the Oak Terrace Preserve project was the retention of its tree resources. Prior to development, Oak Terrace Preserve was home to over 600 trees, many of them grand trees (24” diameter or larger) including massive oaks, magnolias and other old-growth trees that are rarely found in a new community. Preservation and management of the trees was given top priority, and a certified arborist performed a major survey and assessment of the trees prior to construction. During site construction, trees were protected by fencing off trees and their critical root zone and a certified arborist was required on site for the duration of construction.

Oak Terrace Preserve will have a more natural and sustainable stormwater management system than is typically designed in today’s master planned communities. The system at Oak Terrace uses a combination of linear bioswales, rain gardens, temporary pocket park detention, and pervious alleyways. The linear bio-swale runs continuously parallel to one side of all asphalt streets in the community. The streets are slightly sloped (about a 2% grade) towards the 15 foot-wide, v-shaped bio-swale built out of an engineered soil that is designed to be porous.

For additional information on the Oak Terrace Preserve development, contact:

Elias Deeb, Project Manager

Noisette Company

North Charleston, SC

edeeb@noisettesc.com

Non-Stormwater Discharges 

Maryland's Nitrogen-Reducing Septic Upgrade Program

According to the Maryland State Department of the Environment, there are approximately 420,000 septic systems currently in place in the state. This includes an estimated 52,000 systems that are located within 1,000 feet of the tidal waters of the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and their tributaries that are regulated as “Critical Area”. MDE has estimated 80 percent of the nitrogen from a typical septic system in the Critical Area reaches surface water, while 30 percent of the nitrogen from a septic system outside the Critical Area reaches surface water. It has been reported that an estimated 30 pounds of nitrogen per year is delivered to the ground waters of the state due to limited nitrogen removal of a typical septic system. In 2004, the Maryland State Senate passed a bill called the Bay Restoration Fund (BRF) that included creation of a dedicated fund for an Onsite Sewer Disposal System (OSDS) grant program. A $30 annual fee is collected from each home served by an onsite system, and the income is used for septic system upgrades and cover crops to reduce nitrogen loads from the Chesapeake Bay.

In order to qualify for a grant, the existing septic system must be upgraded to a Best Available Technology (BAT) standard. To meet the BAT standard, all approved residential wastewater treatment systems must have been certified by the EPA’s ETV program or meet the NSF/ANSI Standard 245. From a nitrogen removal standpoint, the new technologies are designed to remove 50% or more of the nitrogen load from the conventional system effluent. Since program inception, about 2,000 systems have been upgraded reducing nitrogen pollution to surface water and groundwater by over 25,000 pounds per year. A list of approved nitrogen reducing systems in Maryland can be found at: http://www.mde.state.md.us/Water/CBWRF/osds/brf_bat.asp

Watershed Stewardship

Numerous communities in Virginia: Chesapeake Club Media Campaign

A spring media campaign focused on changing lawn fertilization behavior was launched by the Chesapeake Bay Program in 2004. A public-private partnership, called the Chesapeake Club, was used to conduct the media campaign that had two primary behavioral goals for residents of the District of Columbia primary metropolitan statistical area (PMSA); (1) putting off the use of fertilizer until the fall; and (2) requesting a specific environmentally friendly standard of lawn care service.

The campaign reframed the issue of lawn care to appeal to residents from the perspective a lifestyle choice, rather than an environmental question. The messages did not talk about changing fertilizing until the fall for environmental reasons, but because of the culinary and lifestyle implications – most specifically, damage to a regional icon, the Blue Crab. The messages were humorous and somewhat irreverent, and appealed to residents and their understanding and enjoyment of the local seafood. Messages such as “Save the crabs, then eat ‘em” and “protect the crabcake population” poked fun at the holier-than-thou tone that sometimes accompanies environmental messages while espousing a simple and socially-reinforceable behavior.

Residents were exposed to the seven-week campaign, launched in late February to coincide with the most popular season for fertilizer decision-making, primarily through TV, newspaper, and Metro Station ads. Other campaign message channels included a color brochure promoting the Chesapeake Club lawn care option for all participating lawn care partners, free promotional items like Chesapeake Club window stickers, “No appetizers were harmed in the making of this lawn” cards to hang on customers doors after receiving a Chesapeake Club Bay friendly lawn service, and Chesapeake Club lawn signs to publicly recognize a residents decision to hire a Bay-friendly lawn service. Local seafood restaurants also received “Save the crabs, then eat ‘em” drink coasters and were also promoted on the campaign website.

The results of the 2004-2005 campaign were impressive, and showed how targeted marketing can influence watershed behaviors. A post campaign survey of 599 residents found the following:

• 72% reported exposure to a Chesapeake Bay campaign about lawn care and could correctly identify one of the themes of the campaign.
• Respondents exposed to the campaign were less likely to use fertilizer in the spring (38% compared to 43% for those not exposed).
• Respondents exposed to the campaign were more likely not to fertilize at all (37% versus 27% for those not exposed).
• The number of respondents who said that they planned not to fertilize at all doubled from 15% in 2004 to 34% after the 2005 campaign.

Since the initial campaign, the Chesapeake Club brand and marketing campaign have been used in numerous communities in Virginia with equal success.

Weblinks:

Chesapeake Club Media Ads

2004-2005 Final Report

Nag Head, North Carolina: Septic Health Initiative

The Town of Nags Head began a Septic Health Initiative in late 2000 designed to develop strategies and programs to improve the performance of septic systems in the Town. The programs developed were based on the work of the Town of Nags Head Septic Health Committee. This committee is composed of a cross-section of Town citizens sharing a deep concern for the protection of water quality within and around the Town. The goals of the Septic Health Committee in developing the Initiative were to improve septic systems performance while maintaining acceptable surface and ground water quality, as well as controlling the density of developed land by promoting the use of on-site waste systems. The Septic Health Committee developed a series of four programs designed to improve the performance of septic systems while gathering information about septic systems in the town. The four programs are:

Septic Tank Pumping and Inspection Program

This program encourages qualifying property and business owners in Nags Head who are not using state-regulated septic systems to have their systems inspected and pumped on a regular basis through incentives and educational resources. Since the Initiative started, over 3,000 systems have been inspected (Krafft, 2009). One incentive offered is a free system inspection (savings of about $65) if that system is not defined as innovative by its permit. The inspection report shows the location system in relation to surface waters, as well as the tank size, age, condition, type of tank, any vegetative cover problems, and any repairs needed. The septic inspection reports are entered into a town operated data-base to track failures and maintenance. The program also offers a $30 water bill credit for property owners that have their septic tanks pumped out as a result of the septic inspection. The town also offers a low interest loan program (maximum of $5,000) to owners of malfunctioning systems in need of repair or replacement.

Water Quality Monitoring Program

The Town has been monitoring 40 ground and surface water sites throughout the Town to identify problems (if any) associated with septic systems. Information on a variety of parameters is collected, including Fecal Coliform, ammonium, phosphorus, and nitrate. Additional parameters such salinity, tides, depth to groundwater, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature are also gathered during monitoring.

Education Program

The large number of vacationers and nonresident property owners means that education is a large part of making the Septic System Initiative successful. Aimed at residents, seasonal guests and school children, the education program is designed to increase awareness about water quality and the importance of proper operation and maintenance of septic systems. A set of informational tools for homes and rental cottages has been developed that includes a brochure that can be included in rental packets, door hangers for the bathroom that explain what items cannot be flushed down the toilet or sink drain- and a non-adhesive decal that says "WASTEWATER ONLY" for use on toilets, sinks and mirrors connected to a septic system. The program also sponsors a contest at local schools and uses winning student submissions on public relations materials. The program is also publicized through the town newsletter, the government access channel, civic function signage, and mass mailings.

Decentralized Wastewater Management Plan

The final part of the Initiative was the development of a long-term Decentralized Wastewater Master Plan. The plan was completed in 2005, using information from the water quality monitoring and septic inspection programs. The plan now acts as the current strategy to protect water quality and allow the continued use of on-site septic systems.

Coastal LID Case Studies

Coming soon!

 

Links to Other Useful Case Study Websites

LID Atlas 2.0

The National LID Atlas was created to highlight innovative LID practices around the country. Its goal is to encourage and educate local officials and others about LID practices by providing specific, local examples of their use. Each case study includes project specifics, a summary of the project, photos (when available) and links to more information. This site was a collaborative effort between the Connecticut NEMO Program, the National NEMO Network and the California Water and Land Use Partnership. Version 2.0 allows users to add their own case studies by saving them in a database file format that matches the Atlas format. The Center recently added around 50 new case studies from the coastal plain to this database. To access the database, click here: http://clear.uconn.edu/tools/lidmap/

Sustainable Sites Initiative

The Sustainable Sites Initiative has created a library of case studies that illustrate sustainable landscape practices at various stages of development. A handful of the case studies are from the coastal plain and future additions to the site are planned. To access the case studies, click here: http://www.sustainablesites.org/cases/

Coastal & Waterfront Smart Growth

NOAA's Coastal and Waterfront Smart Growth page provides case studies of coastal communities demonstrate the application of at least one of the ten Coastal & Waterfront Smart Growth elements. To access the case studies, click here: http://coastalsmartgrowth.noaa.gov/casestudies.html

Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure

EPA has created a website on managing wet weather using green infrastructure practices. The site includes case studies of green infrastructure programs and demonstration projects underway in communities across the country, including green roofs, porous pavements, vegetated swales and other forms of green infrastructure. To access the case studies, click here: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure/gicasestudies.cfm

Watershed Central Wiki

Watershed Central Wiki is an EPA-maintained web site that allows the user to submit and edit content so that the information is constantly updated by the watershed community (just like Wikipedia). The wiki includes case studies, information on watershed organizations and various watershed management tools. To access the case studies, click here: http://wiki.epa.gov/watershed2/index.php/Category:Case_Study

Temple-Villanova Sustainable Stormwater Initiative

The Temple-Villanova Sustainable Stormwater Initiative's regional LID BMP database is an online resource of model stormwater best management practices (BMPs) implemented in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The database is searchable by BMP type or location and is available here: http://www.csc.temple.edu/t-vssi/BMPSurvey/project_profile.htm