Science based trends in stormwater regulations

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is a leading cause of water quality degradation in the United States. Nature based solutions (NBS) are innovative approaches to managing the impacts of impervious cover and land use changes that increase NPS. More emphasis in new stormwater manuals and permits are requiring updates and improvements to regulations and bylaws. New England has been pioneering innovative and regionally consistent methods to quantify benefits of NBS and advancing updated regulatory standards due to the non-delegated status of 2 of the 6 states and the promulgation of residual designation authority provided for under the clean water act. The presentation will introduce a regionally consistent framework that communities and regulators can use including water quality, volume reduction, costs and operation and maintenance burdens.

James Houle, University of New Hampshire