Alternative Stormwater Management Practices that Address the Environmental, Social, and Economic Aspects of Water Resources in the Spring Lake Watershed (MI)

摘要

Rein in the Runoff is a collaborative, community-based Integrated Assessment project that examines the causes, consequences, and corrective alternatives available to the communities within and downstream of the Spring Lake Watershed (MI). The project goal is to minimize the negative impacts of polluted stormwater runoff to local water bodies. Led by researchers at Grand Valley State Universitys Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI), an interdisciplinary team with expertise in aquatic ecology, environmental law and policy, environmental engineering and consulting, GIS and data analysis, economics, communications, and outreach and education, has been working with stakeholders to help address management and stewardship issues regarding stormwater discharges. This report describes the environmental, social, and economic conditions in the Spring Lake Watershed that led to the development of the Rein in the Runoff Integrated Assessment (IA). It summarizes the technical and stakeholder components of the IA process, including the underlying data and modeling approaches relied upon by the project team to assess the causes and consequences of stormwater pollution within the watershed, and the extent of the stakeholder education and participation. A suite of common stormwater best management practices or BMPs are provided with spatial guidance for the most appropriate locations for implementation of structural BMPs throughout the Spring Lake Watershed, as well as an economic assessment of each structural and nonstructural stormwater BMP. The analysis also includes projections for future stormwater pollution in light of different rates of population growth and continued urbanization of the watershed. The Rein in the Runoff project report concludes with the Integrated Assessment results, project products, and potential next steps for watershed stakeholders. Appendices provide supplemental technical information regarding different aspects of the IA process and Rein in the Runoff products and results.