Protecting and Improving Estuaries with Smart Growth Tools
Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership
July 2008 FINAL
^^^^^^^^^H
Why Is Smart Growth Important For Estuary Protection And
Improvement?
Part of the National Estuary
Program since 1995, the Lower
Columbia River Estuary
Partnership (LCREP) works to
protect and restore the
nationally significant Lower
Columbia River estuary with
on-the-ground improvements
and education and information
programs. LCREP works
within a 146-mile segment of
the Columbia River and nearby
acreage from the Bonneville
Dam to the mouth of the
Pacific Ocean.
Columbia
River Estuary I
Carlncriiliip
The National Estuary Program
(NEP) was established under
the 1987 Clean Water Act
Amendments. It is a unique
voluntary program that
operates through partnerships
with EPA and other public and
private sector entities. Each
NEP operates via an inclusive,
collaborative decision-making
process to deliver on-the-
ground results, making the NEP
a leading model of watershed
management.
of Oregon City
veU of Twuil
Impt mous SmfacL-
Runoff from developed areas often contains nutrients, pathogens, and metals.
Nationally, runoff is the second most common source of water pollution for estuaries.
Cumulative impacts from conventional development ~ including increased stormwater
volume and flow rates - lead to erosion, estuary degradation, and habitat destruction.
Conventional stormwater management practices address peak flows and suspended
solids, but are only partially effective in managing cumulative impacts. Compact
development paired with preservation of critical natural areas can help protect estuaries
by (1) using land more efficiently, (2) reducing the amount of impervious surface per
capita, and (3) allowing open lands to filter rainwater naturally, thus recharging local
groundwater aquifers and supporting improved hydrologic function.
How Did The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership Use Smart
Growth To Protect Its Estuary?
The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership (LCREP) protects and enhances a
4,300-square-mile area along a 146-mile segment of the tidally influenced Columbia
River. Recognizing the detrimental effects of stormwater drainage from developed
areas on estuaries, LCREP's 1999 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan
(CCMP) names reduction of stormwater volume and improvement of stormwater
quality a main goal. To address the wide geographic diversity of its study area, LCREP
works both on prioritizing
habitats to protect and
working with local
governments in developed
areas.
Beginning in 2000, LCREP
helped Oregon City, OR and
Longview, WA better
understand the cumulative
impacts of their local codes
and ordinances, especially the
effects of impervious cover on
water quality. The core of
LCREP's multiple component
strategy was based on the
NEMO (NonPoint Education
for Municipal Officials)
Project
(http: //nemo .uconn.edu/).
As a first step in working with
and educating government
officials, LCREP analyzed
impervious cover in Oregon
City and Longview to produce
two maps for each city: one
tracking current impervious
surfaces and another
projecting future impervious
surfaces based on similar
City ol" Oregon City
fetuniUcd Lewi* of Fiiturv Totol
Impcniou* Surfjuc In' Sulntmcnhccl
I
-------
development patterns. After presenting these analyses to the officials, LCREP developed tools to help local government
officials and other stakeholders address stormwater management issues:
• For Longview government officials, LCREP created alternative development schemes that illustrated on-site
stormwater management techniques.
Principles of Smart Growth
Create Range of Housing
Opportunities and Choices
Create Walkable
Neighborhoods
Encourage Community and
Stakeholder Collaboration
Foster Distinctive, Attractive
Communities with a Strong
Sense of Place
Make Development
Decisions Predictable, Fair
and Cost Effective
Mix Land Uses
Preserve Open Space,
Farmland, Natural Beauty and
Critical Environmental Areas
Provide a Variety of
Transportation Choices
Strengthen and Direct
Development Towards
Existing Communities
Take Advantage of Compact
Building Design
For Additional Information:
Lower Columbia River Estuary
Partnership
Phone:503-226-1565
lcrep@lcrep.org
www.lcreD.or?
Smart Growth Online
www.smart2rowth.or!
US EPA Office of Wetlands,
Oceans, and Watersheds
(OWOW)
Coastal Management Branch
Phone:202-566-1260
www.eDa.gov/owow/estuaries
US EPA Smart Growth
Program
Development, Community, and
Environment Division (DCED)
Phone: 202-566-2878
www.eDa.gov/smartgrowth
• LCREP analyzed pollutant loading in Longview to quantify the impact of
impervious surfaces on water quality and quantify the pollutant loading reductions
associated with the alternative development schemes.
• LCREP evaluated Oregon City's and Longview's codes and suggested
improvements to protect and enhance water quality. Where codes did not address
water quality, LCREP proposed specific code language, a rationale for changing the
code, and example codes from other jurisdictions.
• LCREP published a "Field Guide to Water Quality Friendly Development" for use
by developers, citizens, and government officials. This practical guide provides
technical information sheets and resources for communities, developers, and
citizens who want to design their homes and neighborhoods with better water
quality in mind.
How Did Smart Growth Tools Help LCREP Achieve Its Goals?
LCREP found it essential to obtain collaboration from government stakeholders. By
performing impervious cover and code analyses, LCREP educated government officials
about stormwater issues with practical examples and facts directly relevant to their
jurisdictions. LCREP then went a step further by providing government officials with
tools, such as proposed code language and a field guide, which could help them
manage stormwater in their communities.
To drive home the link between land use, impervious surfaces, and water quality,
LCREP gave a number of presentations to the city council, planning commission and
city staff in Oregon City and Longview. LCREP involved the public by giving
approximately 13 presentations to Oregon City neighborhood associations.
Within its stormwater management projects, LCREP worked to preserve open space by
emphasizing protection of habitat and incorporation of stream buffers in the alternative
development schemes developed for Longview. LCREP's alternative development
schemes also emphasized more narrow roadways, shared driveways, and setbacks to
increase the amount of vegetated area, and thus the amount of on-site filtration, in
developments.
How Can Other NEPs Learn From The LCREP Experience?
LCREP used the goals in the CCMP as an opportunity to work with local government
officials to protect the estuaries. Other NEPs can look for similar opportunities by
asking themselves these questions:
• Can your NEP conduct build-out analyses of current zoning that will educate
government officials and stakeholders about the impacts of future growth on
estuary protection?
• Does your area have codes that could be revised to more effectively address the
cumulative impacts of development by using smart growth principles?
• Can you create alternative ideas for developments in your area and share your ideas
with government officials, developers, and other stakeholders?
------- |