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VACO/VML Meeting. June 2, 2010 David J. Hirschman Program Director. Center for Watershed Protection. Non-profit 501(c)3, non-advocacy organization founded in 1992 Work with watershed groups, local, state and federal governments
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VACO/VML Meeting June 2, 2010 David J. Hirschman Program Director
Center for Watershed Protection Non-profit 501(c)3, non-advocacy organization founded in 1992 Work with watershed groups, local, state and federal governments Provide tools to communities to protect lakes, rivers, streams, and estuaries 20 staff in Ellicott City, MD; Field Offices in Charlottesville, VA & Ithaca, NY www.cwp.org
Green Roof* Impervious Disconnection* Raintanks & Cisterns* Permeable Pavement* Grass Channels Bioretention Water Quality Swale Infiltration Extended Detention Pond Soil Amendments* Filtering Devices Stormwater Wetland Wet Pond Sheet Flow/Open Space* Menu of Practices
Hirschman’s Heroes • Watershed Forestry • Rainwater Harvesting • Bioretention • Turf/Nutrient Management • Nutrient Trading
Trees are the original “multi-taskers” • save energy • improve air quality • provide habitat • better quality of life • neighborhood stability • aesthetic values • increase property value • reduce noise • good for business
American Forests’ Urban Ecosystem Analysis The Washington, DC metropolitan area has 187,767 acres of tree canopy Stormwater retention capacity of the urban forest is 949 million cubic feet in avoided storage of water This storage capacity is valued at $4.7 billion (based on cost of $5/cubic foot to build equivalent retention facilities) Source: American Forests (2002)
Influence of Forests and Impervious Cover on the Health of Streams Impervious cover Watershed tree cover Riparian buffer tree cover 80- 70- 60- 50- 40- 30- 20- 10- 0 (Goetz, et.al, 2003) percent For 245 watersheds Recommendations: No more than 6% IC At least 65% riparian forest cover for Excellent score No more than 10% IC At least 60% riparian forest over for Good score Excellent good fair poor Stream health rating
Promote conservation of existing forests Photo courtesy of Harford County DPW Photo courtesy of Randall Arendt
Require trees along new streets More shade means more time between repaving. 20% shade on a street improves pavement condition by 11%, which is a 60% savings for resurfacing over 30 years.
Frederick County, MD Schools Since 2005, more than 4,500 trees have been planted. By spring 2010, we will have planted more than 15 acres of new trees. Slide Credit: Frederick Co, MD
Year 1 Year 3 Year 10 Improve with Age
Stormwater Accounting • Real World • Model World
The thatched roof for this building dripped rainwater into the stone carved channel in the foreground Source: Wright Paleohydrological Institute
During medieval times, vegetated roofs were used in Scandinavia to improve insulation Source: http://www.roofgreening.ca/section/view?fnode=30
Cistern Hotel Atlantic View was established in1928as Hatteras Island's first hotel. It was built to provide accommodations for wealthy businessmen and industrialists of the era who traveled to the island for its renowned game hunting and sport fishing.Notice the cistern to the right of the building with the downspouts feeding it rain water from the roof. Source: Hatteras Village – Then and Now (http://www.hatteras.biz)
Conclusions • Consider practices with multiple/local benefits • Participate in process to advocate for preferred practices