Stormwater Solutions: Turning Oregon’s Rain Back into a Resource
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Cities in Oregon and throughout the United States were engineered to
keep stormwater out of sight and out of mind. Unfortunately, that approach has
created additional problems and turned a potential resource into a waste product.
Once rain falls onto the hard surfaces of streets, sidewalks, parking lots and
rooftops, it picks up any and all pollutants that are in its path, gathering
volume and speed until it enters a stormdrain and is piped underground or directly
into a stream. It substantially alters the natural hydrology of watersheds and
causes water pollution. Stormwater runoff hinders the ability of rivers and
streams to support aquatic life and it contributes to bacteria-laden waters unsafe
for swimming, fish so contaminated with toxins that they are unsafe to eat, and
property damage caused by widening stream channels and increased flooding.
The Stormwater Solutions Team, convened by the Oregon Environmental Council, studied the issue and developed a set of recommendations to protect human health, natural resources and public infrastructure from the impacts of urban runoff.
2. A Two-Pronged Solution 3. Regulatory Context
4. Barriers to Overcome 5. Recommendations 6. Potential Funding Sources 7. Appendices References
About the Stormwater Solutions Team
The Stormwater Solutions Team, convened by the Oregon Environmental Council, studied the issue and developed a set of recommendations to protect human health, natural resources and public infrastructure from the impacts of urban runoff.
Stormwater Solutions: Turning Oregon's Rain Back into a Resource
Introduction 1. Environmental Impacts of Urban Stormwater Runoff2. A Two-Pronged Solution 3. Regulatory Context
4. Barriers to Overcome 5. Recommendations 6. Potential Funding Sources 7. Appendices References
About the Stormwater Solutions Team