Webcast 3. Navigating MS4 Regulations – Compliance, Challenges, and Best Practices

Speakers:

Nancy Schumm, City of Gaithersburg, MD
The City of Gaithersburg is relatively new (only 12 years into its permit) for its Phase II implementation and there are a lot of lessons learned that brought us to this point. Nancy Schumm, Environmental Services Division Chief will cover details of our permit, some of the goals of the Maryland MS4 Phase II permits, regulations that we keep up to date, compliance challenges and best practices or lessons learned. Some of our greatest challenges have included staff changes, and good housekeeping, as well as outreach and education and staff education. Staying on mission, to do the best we can, wherever and whenever we can has led to amazing outcomes and community support to strive to keep our water clean and protect the greater regions watersheds.  

Craig Miller, City of Charlotte, NC
The City of Charlotte is now over 32 years into implementing its Phase I MS4 Permit. The City’s MS4 Permit Supervisor will present about Charlotte’s key programs for achieving compliance, overcoming challenges, and implementing best practices. Included will be an overview of the large network of teams that contribute toward achieving permit requirements and how the MS4 Permit team oversees that work and collaborates with the staff network. Unique programs and best practices will also be highlighted to show how Charlotte overcomes challenges and leverages limited resources to achieve (and often goo above and beyond) permit requirements.

Webcast 4. Urban Watershed Equity: Designing Inclusive and Just Stormwater Solutions

Speakers:

Katherine Grantham, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
Implementing nature-based solutions, like green infrastructure, has become a popular method for building community resilience to climate change through a triple bottom line approach. Opportunities for green infrastructure implementation in underserved communities, however, are more limited and challenging. During this webcast, Katie Grantham, Planner with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, will discuss lessons learned from past projects working with environmental justice communities, what communities need to successfully implement green infrastructure, and how their upcoming work will better prepare communities to more equitably build resilience.

Maxwell Dugan, Geosyntec
As a key foundation of our nationwide stormwater practice, Geosyntec practitioners recognize the need and opportunity to integrate environmental justice and community engagement into watershed planning efforts. This portion of the webinar will feature two examples of this work from urban watersheds in Los Angeles, CA and St. Louis MO. Together, these projects embody the national movement to reimagine America’s infrastructure, transforming aging systems into multifunctional landscapes that advance sustainability, social equity, and long-term adaptability.
Part 1: Reimagining the LA River
The LA River Master Plan and Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan represent a paradigm shift in infrastructure planning, integrating flood control with ecological restoration and inclusive public spaces. These initiatives champion climate resilience through nature-based solutions that help mitigate extreme weather impacts, restore habitats, and enhance water quality. Equally important, they prioritize community engagement—helping ensure that historically underserved neighborhoods have a voice in shaping equitable access to green spaces and recreational opportunities.
Part 2: Advancing Urban Flood Resilience: A Justice-Centered Strategy for Nature-Based Solutions and Green Stormwater Infrastructure
In response to the historic flooding of July 2022, the City of St. Louis initiated a citywide strategy to mitigate flood risk through nature-based solutions and green stormwater infrastructure. This presentation will highlight the City’s vision of reimagining its relationship with waterways by creating sustainable solutions that protect the environment, strengthen communities, and build long-term resilience for future generations. At the core of this strategy is the integration of environmental and economic justice principles, enabling vulnerable communities to benefit from resilient and equitable outcomes.

Refund Policy
If a registrant is unable to attend a webcast, there are three options:

1. Watch the archived recording. All webcasts are recorded, and registered attendees are provided with the link and all relevant materials. No action is required if selecting this option.
2. Email webcast@cwp.org to let us know, and select another webcast to attend in place of the one you will miss.
3. Request a refund. Refunds are provided as long as the cancellation request occurs more than 48 hours in advance of a webcast. The amount charged for the webcast will be refunded, except for a $30 processing fee.