The U.S. EPA is now accepting proposals for $10 million in grant dollars targeted specifically to protect and restore Puget Sound watersheds.
Tribes, local governments and special purpose districts are eligible to apply directly for funding. Proposals must be submitted by January 5, 2010. EPA is holding a workshop to answer questions about the solicitation and grant program criteria on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 1:00 pm.
Low impact development is listed as one of the eligible projects.
For a copy of the request for proposals, information about the public meeting, and other information about how to apply, please see:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/Office+of+Water/WEI09RFP
For questions about the RFP, please contact Dan Steinborn at Steinborn.Daniel@epa.gov.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Whidbey Island CD Develops New Guidance for Homeowners
The Whidbey Island Conservation District, with funding from Island County Public Health and the Department of Ecology, has released a new educational publication for homeowners. The document covers many aspects of protecting water quality through greener landscaping and home maintenance practices, and use of simple low impact development techniques.
Download "Living Responsibly in Your Community: Homeowner's Guide to Protecting Our Water Resources" at: http://whidbeyislandconservationdistrict.farming.officelive.com/Documents/LRYC.for.web.pdf
Download "Living Responsibly in Your Community: Homeowner's Guide to Protecting Our Water Resources" at: http://whidbeyislandconservationdistrict.farming.officelive.com/Documents/LRYC.for.web.pdf
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
First Meeting of Ecology-led LID Standards Process Goes Well
Thus far, this site has been primarily dedicated to announcing upcoming LID-focused workshops and conferences, availability of new LID resources, and similar items of interest to those of us interested in and involved with the implementation of LID in Puget Sound.
I'd like to deviate a bit from this, and editorialize a little by reporting that, in my eyes, the first meeting of the new Ecology-led, EPA Region 10-funded LID Standards Process on October 13th went well. Ecology staff and their facilitator did a good job of describing the estimated eight-month long process of meetings, teeing up at least some of the big issues the two advisory committees will grapple with, and allowing committee members to enumerate their issues and interests in regards to LID regulation and implementation. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/LIDstandards.html
In my mind, this has been an evolutionary process, where we started back in about 2000 simply educating regional professionals about LID, encouraging (or directing) them to allow and encourage LID in local stormwater and land development codes, and encouraging the use of the LID approach and techniques in new development and retrofit projects. This "allow and encourage" initial foray into LID was warranted at the time, as LID was relatively new to our region, we had few projects and fewer monitoring data points to learn from, and we had limited understanding of LID site analysis, design and installation of techniques, maintenance needs, and performance.
We've come a long way in LID implementation since 2000, and now, in 2009 we have many projects that have incorporated bioretention, soil amendments and permeable pavement. We have fewer projects utilizing rooftop rainwater harvest, but they're out there, particularly up in the San Juans where water's tougher to find. And with Ecology's recent directive that rainwater harvest will not be linked with water rights at least for the foreseeable future, the doors are wide open to the increased use of rainwater harvest, which can be a terrific tool to help maintain a site's predevelopment hydrology. We have vegetated or green roofs, but not that many, especially compared to our neighbors, Portland and Vancouver, BC. We should have more. And we've barely touched the surface of using minimal excavation foundation systems, which go a long way in minimizing site compaction and protecting pre-development hydrologic patterns.
We now have a cadre of knowledgeable engineering firms ready to help local governments and private project proponents use numerous LID techniques. Many local governments, led by Seattle Public Utilities, have good experience with various techniques, and an assortment of technical and educational resources that we can all use. Local conservation districts help landowners use LID techniques to improve drainage issues. Last but certainly not least, we have WSU Extension doing great training, LID certification, and monitoring, and UW offering a professional LID certificate program.
It's no wonder the Puget Sound region is considered one of the top areas of the country in LID.
Framed against this growing knowledge and experience base is the body of evidence that Puget Sound's in serious trouble, and stormwater is one of the biggest threats to the Sound. We've done a lot to manage stormwater, we're doing a lot every day, but... we need to do more, and science and monitoring show we need to do things differently.
And so we move into this new realm of LID being required, where feasible. And now begins the Ecology-led, EPA-funded, multi-party process to develop LID standards, definitions, criteria for feasibility, and Clean Water Act NPDES permit implementation.
As I said, the first meeting, on October 13th, went well. I'm fortunate enough to sit on both advisory committees, the technical and implementation committees, and I look forward to helping the process along. Periodically, I'll report out on this site. Stay tuned - it should prove interesting and rewarding as we move forward.
I'd like to deviate a bit from this, and editorialize a little by reporting that, in my eyes, the first meeting of the new Ecology-led, EPA Region 10-funded LID Standards Process on October 13th went well. Ecology staff and their facilitator did a good job of describing the estimated eight-month long process of meetings, teeing up at least some of the big issues the two advisory committees will grapple with, and allowing committee members to enumerate their issues and interests in regards to LID regulation and implementation. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/LIDstandards.html
In my mind, this has been an evolutionary process, where we started back in about 2000 simply educating regional professionals about LID, encouraging (or directing) them to allow and encourage LID in local stormwater and land development codes, and encouraging the use of the LID approach and techniques in new development and retrofit projects. This "allow and encourage" initial foray into LID was warranted at the time, as LID was relatively new to our region, we had few projects and fewer monitoring data points to learn from, and we had limited understanding of LID site analysis, design and installation of techniques, maintenance needs, and performance.
We've come a long way in LID implementation since 2000, and now, in 2009 we have many projects that have incorporated bioretention, soil amendments and permeable pavement. We have fewer projects utilizing rooftop rainwater harvest, but they're out there, particularly up in the San Juans where water's tougher to find. And with Ecology's recent directive that rainwater harvest will not be linked with water rights at least for the foreseeable future, the doors are wide open to the increased use of rainwater harvest, which can be a terrific tool to help maintain a site's predevelopment hydrology. We have vegetated or green roofs, but not that many, especially compared to our neighbors, Portland and Vancouver, BC. We should have more. And we've barely touched the surface of using minimal excavation foundation systems, which go a long way in minimizing site compaction and protecting pre-development hydrologic patterns.
We now have a cadre of knowledgeable engineering firms ready to help local governments and private project proponents use numerous LID techniques. Many local governments, led by Seattle Public Utilities, have good experience with various techniques, and an assortment of technical and educational resources that we can all use. Local conservation districts help landowners use LID techniques to improve drainage issues. Last but certainly not least, we have WSU Extension doing great training, LID certification, and monitoring, and UW offering a professional LID certificate program.
It's no wonder the Puget Sound region is considered one of the top areas of the country in LID.
Framed against this growing knowledge and experience base is the body of evidence that Puget Sound's in serious trouble, and stormwater is one of the biggest threats to the Sound. We've done a lot to manage stormwater, we're doing a lot every day, but... we need to do more, and science and monitoring show we need to do things differently.
And so we move into this new realm of LID being required, where feasible. And now begins the Ecology-led, EPA-funded, multi-party process to develop LID standards, definitions, criteria for feasibility, and Clean Water Act NPDES permit implementation.
As I said, the first meeting, on October 13th, went well. I'm fortunate enough to sit on both advisory committees, the technical and implementation committees, and I look forward to helping the process along. Periodically, I'll report out on this site. Stay tuned - it should prove interesting and rewarding as we move forward.
Free Workshops on the Kitsap LID Guidance Manual and How to Use it
Workshops offered in November on the new Kitsap LID Guidance Manual
"Water & Prosperity: A Low Impact Approach to Development"
Workshop Dates:
1) Friday, November 6th, Poulsbo Fire Station, Poulsbo, 1 pm-4:30 pm
2) Tuesday, November 10th, Givens Community Center, Kitsap Room 8:30 am - Noon
HBA of Kitsap County
5251 Auto Center Way Bremerton, WA 98312
(360) 479-5778 FAX (360) 479-0313
E-mail: acastle@kitsaphba.com
"Water & Prosperity: A Low Impact Approach to Development"
Workshop Dates:
1) Friday, November 6th, Poulsbo Fire Station, Poulsbo, 1 pm-4:30 pm
2) Tuesday, November 10th, Givens Community Center, Kitsap Room 8:30 am - Noon
- Understand how LID works and why developers, jurisdictions, design professionals, contractors, and the general public should encourage its implementation.
- Become familiar with and able to use the Kitsap Low Impact Development Guidance Manual.
- Understand the science and engineering principles behind LID and how this is reflected in LID design/modeling tools.
- Learn how to use the NEW Kitsap LID Spreadsheet Modeling Tool.
- Become familiar with best practices for LID implementation including at the planning, design, construction stages.
- Become familiar with strategies that enable LID implementation, through ordinance compliance, incentive policies.
- Learn about additional resources to assist in LID implementation.
HBA of Kitsap County
5251 Auto Center Way Bremerton, WA 98312
(360) 479-5778 FAX (360) 479-0313
E-mail: acastle@kitsaphba.com
Friday, September 11, 2009
Video Broadcast Sept 15 - Stormwater Management: One Backyard at a Time
The Pacific Northwest Water Program, partnering with WSU Extension's video department, will bring a glimpse of what private citizens, city/county governments, and agencies are doing to prevent polluted runoff from rushing to water resources.
Curtis Hinman, WSU Extension, and other speakers will be featured, and a Puget Sound example will be included.
Broadcast details: Stormwater Management - One Backyard at a Time
Date: September 15 , 2009
Time: 9:00 - 11:30 am
For more information see: http://eces.wsu.edu/video/stream.html
Curtis Hinman, WSU Extension, and other speakers will be featured, and a Puget Sound example will be included.
Broadcast details: Stormwater Management - One Backyard at a Time
Date: September 15 , 2009
Time: 9:00 - 11:30 am
For more information see: http://eces.wsu.edu/video/stream.html
Ecology Announces New Stormwater Retfofit and LID Grant Program
This from the Department of Ecology this week:
Statewide Stormwater Retrofit and LID Grant Program
The 2009 Washington State Legislature appropriated funding for Ecology to develop the Stormwater Retrofit and LID Grant Program (SWRLID). The Legislature designated $4.609M in grant dollars to assist statewide local governments with retrofitting existing stormwater facilities and/or implementing low-impact development techniques in new and re-development projects.
This grant program is offered to Washington state eligible public bodies.
Eligible public bodies include any Washington state county, city, town, conservation district, or other political subdivision; municipal or quasi-municipal corporation; federally recognized tribe; or Washington state institution of higher education, provided that the project is not included in that institution’s statutory responsibilities.
The application period for the Stormwater Retrofit and LID Grant Program is open from September 1, 2009 – December 1, 2009.
A document which outlines the funding criteria, important workshop dates, and deadline dates can be found at the following link:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/2011/FY2011SWRLIDfundingFramework.pdf
The FY2011 Combined Funding Cycle Application will be used to apply for the SWRLID Program. The application can be found at the following link: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/funding.html
For questions regarding this funding program, please contact:
Patricia Brommer
Financial Management Section
Water Quality Program
(360) 407-6216
patricia.brommer@ecy.wa.gov
Statewide Stormwater Retrofit and LID Grant Program
The 2009 Washington State Legislature appropriated funding for Ecology to develop the Stormwater Retrofit and LID Grant Program (SWRLID). The Legislature designated $4.609M in grant dollars to assist statewide local governments with retrofitting existing stormwater facilities and/or implementing low-impact development techniques in new and re-development projects.
This grant program is offered to Washington state eligible public bodies.
Eligible public bodies include any Washington state county, city, town, conservation district, or other political subdivision; municipal or quasi-municipal corporation; federally recognized tribe; or Washington state institution of higher education, provided that the project is not included in that institution’s statutory responsibilities.
The application period for the Stormwater Retrofit and LID Grant Program is open from September 1, 2009 – December 1, 2009.
A document which outlines the funding criteria, important workshop dates, and deadline dates can be found at the following link:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/2011/FY2011SWRLIDfundingFramework.pdf
The FY2011 Combined Funding Cycle Application will be used to apply for the SWRLID Program. The application can be found at the following link: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/funding.html
For questions regarding this funding program, please contact:
Patricia Brommer
Financial Management Section
Water Quality Program
(360) 407-6216
patricia.brommer@ecy.wa.gov
Friday, August 28, 2009
King County's GreenTools Training Goes to Redmond
King County's September 15th GreenTools training session will take place at Redmond City Hall.
The county's Steve Foley and WSU Extension's Curtis Hinman will present, along with city staff. City staff will present on the city's Grass Lawn Park LID Demonstration Project. The demonstration project includes permeable asphalt, a green roof, rain gardens, tree retention, and compost amended soils. The city is monitoring the performance of the various LID techniques and reporting back to the Department of Ecology, who funded the project. Monitoring is being led by Herrera Environmental Consultants.
Anisha Prasad, the City's project manager for the post construction monitoring of the LID features in the park will speak, and then lead a tour in the park at the conclusion of the County's workshop. The tour will begin in the lobby of Redmond City Hall, September 15, 2009 at 1:00 PM, and is open to the public. Tour attendees will travel by personal vehicle to Grass Lawn Park. Carpooling is recommended.
You can learn more about Grass Lawn Park at: http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/publicworks/LID/GrasslawnParkDemoProject.asp.
Here's a link to the GreenTools web site: http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenbuilding/
The county's Steve Foley and WSU Extension's Curtis Hinman will present, along with city staff. City staff will present on the city's Grass Lawn Park LID Demonstration Project. The demonstration project includes permeable asphalt, a green roof, rain gardens, tree retention, and compost amended soils. The city is monitoring the performance of the various LID techniques and reporting back to the Department of Ecology, who funded the project. Monitoring is being led by Herrera Environmental Consultants.
Anisha Prasad, the City's project manager for the post construction monitoring of the LID features in the park will speak, and then lead a tour in the park at the conclusion of the County's workshop. The tour will begin in the lobby of Redmond City Hall, September 15, 2009 at 1:00 PM, and is open to the public. Tour attendees will travel by personal vehicle to Grass Lawn Park. Carpooling is recommended.
You can learn more about Grass Lawn Park at: http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/publicworks/LID/GrasslawnParkDemoProject.asp.
Here's a link to the GreenTools web site: http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenbuilding/
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