Development in Coastal Georgia – The Watershed Impacts

Jackie Jackson TeelNatural Resources Administrator–

Chatham County – Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission

Watershed Protection Clean Water Goals

Coastal Surface Water Quality Issues

Point Source Pollution

Non-Point Source (NPS) Pollution

Non-point Source ChallengesLand Use Impacts: Impervious Surfaces

Coastal Stormwater Management Needs

With the exception of the metropolitan Atlanta area, the coastal zone is the most rapidly growing region in the State of Georgia. Forecasts predict that the

population of the 10-county coastal area will increase by an additional 32% by 2015 and an

Additional 51% by 2030 (CQGRD, 2006).

Impacts of Land Development on Stormwater Runoff

• Water Quality Impacts

– Land development increases pollutant accumulation– Sources include:

• Atmospheric deposition• Vehicle emissions• Vehicle wear (e.g. tire and brake pad wear)• Pet waste• Contributions from lawns and other pervious areas

– Coupled with increased stormwater runoff volumes, results in decreased water quality

• Infrastructure Impacts

– Increased runoff also leads to a higher rate of failure

What are the Impacts of Unmanaged Stormwater Runoff?

• Flooding• Water Quality

Impairment

Why Worry About Stormwater?

• Flooding can result in property damage and become a public safety and health issue

• Good infrastructure management protects the public investment and is good practice for a community

• Maintaining or improving water quality enhances a community’s quality of life

• New and increasing restrictive stormwater regulations require additional attention from the City

• Future stormwater program implementation will require the allocation of additional City resources to address numerous issues

• And more…

Impacts of Land Development on Coastal Aquatic Resources

L. McLaren, 1995

Savannah, GA (NOAA, 1998)

• Impacts on Estuarine Resources– Beaches:

• Decreased water quality• Beach advisories and closures

• Impacts on Marine Resources– Near coastal waters:

• Decreased water quality• Reduced fish and shellfish harvests

– Beaches• Impacts on Groundwater Resources

– Groundwater Aquifers:• Decreased groundwater recharge• Increased risk of contamination

Impacts of Land Development on Coastal Aquatic Resources

Impacts of Land Development on Coastal Aquatic Resources

• Traditional stormwater management relies upon the use of structural stormwater BMPs to control and minimize these impacts

– Good control of hydrologic impacts– Doesn’t account for the water quality impacts?

– green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) in the site design could address the water quality and quantity concerns

LID and Green Infrastructure Examples

Opportunity• EPD, CRD and MPC are working

on a project to assist the coastal communities to address their stormwater concerns.

• Unlike many coastal states, Georgia is in a unique position to establish an effective nonpoint source pollution control program before the looming development further negatively impacts coastal waters.

•Written by ARC in 2001

The GSMM, a.k.a “the Blue Book” is intended to be applicable statewide; however, some specifics related to coastal water quality concerns and BMP effectiveness in coastal areas need to be adjusted and/or modified:

•physiographic features (e.g. flat terrain, shallow groundwater, tidal interaction) and

•water quality concerns (e.g. nitrogen, bacteria) of the coast.

The Georgia Stormwater Management Manual (GSMM)

Coastal Stormwater Supplement

• Objectives

– Primary:• Provide comprehensive guidance on a

stormwater management approach that can be adopted by local governments and the development community to manage post-construction stormwater runoff and will protect coastal aquatic resources from the impacts of land development

– Secondary:• Provide a framework and technical support for

the use of green infrastructure in site design

Project Deliverables

Upon completion of the project in September 2008 the following will be provided:

• Coastal Stormwater Supplement

• Monitoring Protocol for Coastal Stormwater Management Practices

• Model Stormwater Ordinance for use in Coastal Georgia

• Stormwater Utility Handbook/ How-to Guide

• Free Education on How to Start a Stormwater Utility (that’s you!)

Coastal Stormwater Supplement

• Outlook

– What will the CSS be?• Tool to protect coastal aquatic resources from

the impacts of land development – One of eight tools of watershed protection

• Guidance on managing post-construction stormwater runoff

• Framework for the use of green infrastructure on development sites

• Non-mandatory• Starting point, not an end point

Now, how do you accomplish getting a stormwater program started (and adequately funded) in your community?....

Questions?