March 23, 2009—Oregon Environmental Council and Partners to Present Stormwater Solutions Workshops in Southern Oregon and Lane County

The Oregon Environmental Council, in partnership with Oregon State University Extension/Oregon Sea Grant and with funding from the Laird Norton Family Foundation and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, is organizing a series of five 'stormwater solutions' workshops for Oregon’s growing communities. More information and registration is available at www.oeconline.org/stormwater.

The goal of the workshops is to expand the adoption of sustainable stormwater management practices that protect watersheds from urban runoff while reducing costs. The programs are designed for builders, developers, designers, stormwater engineers, watershed councils, elected officials, jurisdictional staff and other professionals. Workshops will include:
- Leading experts in the fields of building, site planning, engineering and economics
- Local case studies, real-life experiences and lessons learned
- Educational materials
- Technical guidance
- The latest information on permits and codes
- Networking opportunities

Workshop schedule

Sustainable stormwater solutions for the Rogue Valley
WHEN: Thursday, April 2, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
WHERE: RCC-SOU Higher Education Center, 101 South Bartlett, Medford, Oregon 97501
PRICE: $20 for general public, $10 for Home Builders Association members. Includes lunch. Continuing education credits available.
Guest Speaker: Larry Coffman is a national low-impact development expert and pioneer of the innovative stormwater management practice “bioretention” or “rain gardens.” Coffman was the principal author of Prince George’s County, Maryland’s low-impact development design approach and has conducted hundreds of seminars across the country. Includes panel discussion with local builders, designers and planners.
Site Visit: Showcases the new stormwater planter and pervious pavers at the RCC-SOU Higher Education Center.

Sustainable stormwater solutions for the Willamette Valley
WHEN: Friday, April 3, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
WHERE: EWEB, 500 East 4th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401
PRICE: $35 for general public, $20 for Home Builders Association members. Cost includes lunch. Continuing education credits available.
Guest Speaker: Larry Coffman. Includes panel discussion with local builders, designers and planners.
Tour: Workshop is followed by an optional tour of demonstration sites from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Transportation provided.

Making Low Impact Development a reality in the Willamette Valley
WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
WHERE: Lane Community College Center for Meeting and Learning, 4000 East 30th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405
PRICE: $35 for general public, $20 for Home Builders Association members. Cost includes lunch. Continuing education credits available.
Guest Speakers: Maria Cahill and Barry Beyeler. Maria Cahill is a land development sustainability consultant with a background in civil engineering design and project management and twelve years of experience working on green projects. She provides a look at how non-structural (i.e. good planning, conservation) and structural (i.e. good engineering, mitigation) practices can reduce environmental impacts and develop healthy communities.

Barry Beyeler is the Community Development Director for the city of Boardman, Oregon. He pioneered the city’s adoption of low-impact development requirements for all new development. Barry calls this choice “Cowboy Logic” because it just makes sense. Includes panel discussion with local builders, designers and planners.

Includes case study of Veneta, Oregon as an example of small communities leading the way.

Tour: Workshop is followed by an optional tour of demonstration sites from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Transportation provided.

Making Low Impact Development a reality in the Rogue Valley
WHEN: Friday, May 1, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
WHERE: Josephine County Courthouse, 500 NW 6th Street Dept. 6, Grants Pass, OR 97526
PRICE: $20 for general public, $10 for Home Builders Association members. Includes lunch. Continuing education credits available.
Continuing education credits available.
Guest Speakers: Maria Cahill and Barry Beyeler. Includes panel discussion with local builders, designers and planners.


Untangling the codes: Governments and developers working together
WHEN: Thursday, May 28, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
WHERE: Rogue Valley Sewer Services, 138 W. Vilas Rd. Central Point, OR 97502
PRICE: $20 for general public, $10 for Home Builders Association members. Includes lunch.

Make the most of the current construction slowdown to ensure that you will be ready when things pick back up again. Learn how local governments around the region and the state are encouraging innovation, protecting water quality, and ensuring that local development codes and incentives make it easy for developers to do the right thing. Site Site Visit: Showcases bioswales and grassy pavers at Rogue Valley Sewer Services.

About the Oregon Environmental Council
The Oregon Environmental Council safeguards what Oregonians love about Oregon – clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food produced by local farmers. For 40 years we’ve been a champion for solutions to protect the health of every Oregonian and the health of the place we call home. Our vision for Oregon includes solving global warming, protecting kids from toxins, cleaning up our rivers, building sustainable economies, and ensuring healthy food and local farms. Find out more at www.oeconline.org.