URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND WATER QUALITY

1. URBAN DEVELOPMENTANDWATER QUALITY Texas Commission on Environmental Quality October, 2008 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

2. Impacts of Urban Development Hydrologic Impacts Increased impervious surfaces yield increased storm water runoff Pollution Impacts Activities generate pollutants and storm water carries pollutants to the bay Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

3. Hydrologic ImpactsRainfall / Runoff Relationship Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

4. Hydrologic ImpactsStorm Hydrograph Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

5. Pollution Impacts Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

6. Storm Water Management Flood Control Objectives • Minimize threat of flooding • Comply with National Flood Insurance requirements • Provide drainage facilities for 100-year event • Maintain existing flood plain delineation Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

7. What is the 100-year Event? 100-year event is about 13 inches 90th percentile event is about 4.2 inches Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

8. Storm Water Management Water Quality Objectives Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

9. Achieving Water Quality ObjectivesGreen Infrastructure • Definition Use natural processes to reduce and treat storm water runoff • Natural Processes Infiltration, filtration, and biological treatment • Benefits Reduced storm water runoff, pollutant reductions, enhanced recharge, reduced costs, increased recreation Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

10. Green InfrastructureManagement Practices Site Planning and Design Minimize clearing, grading Save permeable soils Limit lot disturbance Soil Amendments Alternative Surfaces Reforestation Reduce pipes, curb and gutters Reduce impervious surfaces Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

11. Green InfrastructureManagement Practices Constructed Wetlands Description - Constructed basins with a permanent pool of water. Among the most effective stormwater practices. Offer aesthetic value. Natural Processes - Settling and biological uptake. Applications – Larger scale storm water management facilities Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

12. Green InfrastructureManagement Practices Vegetated Swales Description – Drainage conveyance facilities designed to slow storm water runoff and allow it to infiltrate into the subsurface Natural Process – Slow runoff velocities, infiltration, storage, filtration, biological treatment Applications – Drainage conveyance network Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

13. Green InfrastructureManagement Practices Bioretention • Description - A conditioned planting soil bed and planting materials • Natural Processes – Filtration, adsorption, biological treatment of runoff stored within a shallow depression • Applications – Parking lots, streets, residential and commercial landscaping Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

14. Green InfrastructureManagement Practices Pervious Paving Description - A load-bearing, durable surface with an underlying layered structure. Unobtrusive Natural Processes - Temporarily stores water prior to infiltration or drainage to a controlled outlet. Application - Residential, commercial and industrial applications are possible. Light vehicle loading in parking areas. . Spatially constrained areas. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

15. Green InfrastructureManagement Practices Roof Runoff Controls Description - Direct roof runoff away from paved areas and direct it to rain barrels, infiltration trenches, and planting areas. Natural Process – Storage, infiltration, filtration, biological treatment Applications – Residential and commercial roofs Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

16. Green InfrastructureMunicipal Programs Milwaukee, Wisconsin Rain Gardens - Install 60 rain gardens Greenways – Protect wetlands and other drainage features through acquisition and conservation easements BMP Pilot Projects – 19 projects were monitored over a 3-year period to evaluate environmental, implementability, O & M, and costs factors. Goal – Reduce the volume of storm water runoff Disconnection Program – Redirect building downspouts to rain barrels and pervious areas Rain Garden at Miller Brewing Company Headquarters Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

17. Green InfrastructureMunicipal Programs Lincoln, Nebraska Holmes Lake Watershed • Goal - Increase awareness about lawn care; Improve storm water quality by reducing the amount of storm water runoff and the use of low phosphorus fertilizer. • Program - Three segments of the program are: • Rain gardens – 90% discount for installation • Rain barrels - Free • No/low phosphorus fertilizer – One bag free Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

18. Green InfrastructureMunicipal Programs Ingleside, Texas Lake Whitney - Drainage Improvements Goal – Watershed management approach to address flooding, water quality and habitat Project Area – Ecologically important wetland complex Integrated Approach – Land use planning, environmental analysis, engineering, public involvement Multiple Funding Sources – Local, state, and federal Management Plan – Structural and non-structural BMPs Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

19. Watershed Management Funding Environmental Finance Center at Boise State University http://efc.boisestate.edu/efc/ “Community Quilt” concept of financing The Watershed is a Mosaic of public, private and nonprofit land ownership and a myriad land uses. Using a broader collection of terms can broaden the sources of funding for your watershed management plan. Identify land owners and land uses within a watershed to create a patchwork of funding opportunities. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

20. Watershed Management Funding • State Funding Programs • TCEQ – Nonpoint Source Grants • TWDB – State Revolving Fund, EDAP • GLO – Coastal Impact Assistance Program, Coastal NPS Grants • TSSWCB – Nonpoint Source Grants • TPWD – Recreation Grant Program Federal Funding Programs EPA - Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection Housing and Urban Development-Community Development Block Grants Dept. of Agriculture - EQIP Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

21. Watershed Management Funding • Local Funding Options • Storm Water Utility Fees • Capital Improvements • Impact Fees • Special Assessments • General Appropriations • National Association of Counties Programs • Coastal Counties Restoration Initiative • Five Star Restoration Grants • Water Quality Technical Assistance Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

22. Watershed Management Consultant Qualifications • Applies natural solutions (including biological treatment concepts, soil sciences, and wetland dynamics) to the design, operation and maintenance of drainage infrastructure • Engineering and construction administration for decentralized storm water management and watershed restoration projects • Utilize an integrated design process including hydrology, ecology, water quality, public participation, and recreational criteria • Recognized “experts” in the field with publications, awards and participation in peer review of technical works and the development of public policies and documents Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

23. Contact Information • Water Quality Planning Division • Charles Maguire, Assistant Division Director, 512/239-5308, cmaguire@tceq.state.tx.us • Arthur Talley, TMDL Team, 512/239-4546, atalley@tceq.state.tx.us • Bill Carter, NPS Team, 512/239-6771, wcarter@tceq.state.tx.us • Gail Rothe, Coastal Coordinator, 512/239-4617, grothe@tceq.state.tx.us • Jeff Foster, Coastal Bend Bays Estuary Program, 361/825-3424, jfoster@tceq.state.tx.us Texas Commission on Environmental Quality