STORMWATER RESOURCES

"Catching the Rain: a Great Lakes Resource Guide for Natural Stormwater Management" by American Rivers
A comprehensive guide with color photos, diagrams, extensive resources and case studies. This resource includes sections on: impervious and conventional stormwater management, municipal stormwater requirements, managing stormwater with nature, natural stormwater management techniques, and stormwater resources.
http://amr.convio.net/site/DocServer/CatchingTheRain.pdf?docID=163

"A Citizen's Guide to Water Quality Permitting: Understanding the NPDES Program and Its Role in Michigan" by Ellen J. Kohler, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
A comprehensive guide to understanding water quality permitting in Michigan, with some detail on stormwater regulations and municipal storm sewer systems. To order your print copy or view an electronic copy visit: http://www.watershedcouncil.org/pub.html

"The Clean Water Act Owner's Manual" by River Network
This comprehensive manual includes advice about how to use the Clean Water Act to solve real-world problems, and contains expanded information on Antidegradation, stormwater permits, TMDLs and more. The "Owner's Manual" explains crucial sections of the Clean Water Act, points out how to get involved in regulatory decisions, and tells local stories of others who've done so. References, websites and other resources have been updated. This manual continues to turn legalese and scientific terminology into language you can use. For more information or to order your copy ($40 for non-members) visit:
http://www2.rivernetwork.org/marketplace/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=5

The Huron Pines' Great Lakes Better Backroads Guidebook is a great resource for watershed groups, road maintenance personnel, engineers, and anyone interested in minimizing the impacts rural roads have on water quality. The Guidebook is useful for working with County Road Commissions and other partners to improve fish passage, reduce runoff, and improve design and maintenance of road stream crossings to reduce the build-up of sediment in streams and to better replicate natural conditions.
Great Lakes Better Backroads Guidebook

"The Greening of Stormwater" by Clean Water Fund and American Rivers
A 22 page booklet on the basics of stormwater and Low impact design solutions, includes case studies of three Michigan communities "saving money, beautifying neighborhoods, and protecting lakes and streams."
http://www.cleanwateraction.org/pdf/GreeningStormwater.pdf

"Pave It... Or Save It? Volume I: The Environmental, Economic, and Social Impacts of Sprawl" by Riverkeeper
This report discusses the environmental, economic, and social impacts of sprawl, with an aim to educate citizens and public officials about sprawl and to give them the ammunition necessary to fight sprawl projects in their communities. The report is written in a fact-sheet style, buttressed by numerous legal and scientific citations. The fact sheets, which can be used individually or collectively, cover topics such as sprawl's impact on wetlands, air quality, taxes, race, and transportation.
http://riverkeeper.org/campaign.php/watershed/we_are_doing/1058

"Smart Growth for Clean Water: Innovative Strategies for NPDES Phase II Stormwater Management in Michigan"
"While all land use plans deal with issues that impact storm water runoff, smart growth tools and techniques are particularly promising ways to address issues of non-point source water pollution, including stormwater runoff." This paper discusses some of the shared solutions that can help smaller communities meet federal regulations. Paper includes resources for Phase II and general stormwater management.
http://www.mecprotects.org/SGAmichiganFINAL.pdf

"Stormwater Management & Polluted Runoff" by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
This brochure provides water quality stewardship tips for residents and businesses. To order a print copy visit: http://www.watershedcouncil.org/pub.html

"Stormwater Strategies: Community Responses to Runoff Pollution" CD-ROM
A project of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Stormwater Strategies documents the most effective strategies employed by communities around the country to control urban runoff pollution. CD-ROM includes: case studies on urban runoff management and low-impact-design, contacts, web links, and stormwater resources. For more information:
http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/storm/stoinx.asp or (212) 727-2700 or nrdcinfo@nrdc.org

"Waterways at Risk: How Low-Impact Development Can Reduce Runoff Pollution in Michigan" by Public Interest Research Group in Michigan's Education Fund and American Rivers
This recent publication includes the following sections: 'Restoring the Great Lakes through Local Government,' 'Sprawling Development is Polluting MI's Water,' 'MI Watersheds at Risk from Contaminated Runoff,' 'Low-Impact Development and Smart Growth Can Prevent Water Pollution,' and 'Local Governments Should Promote Low-Impact Development and Smart Growth. For more information or to download the full report, please visit: http://www.pirgim.org/.

WEBSITES

Center for Watershed Protection
Includes an annotated list of Stormwater resources, including various other state's Best Management Practices Manuals and Models. http://www.cwp.org/stormwater_mgt.htm

From Runoff to Renewal: Toolkit for Promoting LID in Your Community
Public Interest Research Group in Michigan (PIRGIM) has developed a toolkit, including a fact sheet, media packet and model ordinance, for groups to promote low impact development (LID) in their communities. The entire toolkit is available online: http://www.environmentmichigan.org/great-lakes/runoff

Grayling Stormwater Project
The Grayling Stormwater Project is a pilot project in Grayling, Michigan to demonstrate Low Impact Development techniques for reducing stormwater runoff. The City of Grayling, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Huron Pines RC&D, Gosling Czubak Engineering, and many conservation partners are working together to implement these BMPs to protect the water quality of the Au Sable River. For details of the project and project updates please visit: http://www.huronpines.org/project.php?projectId=16

Freshwater Future Project Summaries Available Online
All Freshwater Future grant recipients including project summaries and contact information are available on-line; the database of past grants is searchable by keyword, state etc. One can find similar projects, groups nearby and more. Visit www.glhabitat.org (under 'grants program' choose 'grant recipients').

Imperviousness- Stormwater Systems Toolkit
A project of American Rivers, this electronic toolkit includes federal regulations/laws, stormwater solutions and stormwater reference materials. http://www.americanrivers.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AMR_content_39bf

International Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) Database
This site features technical documents, software and a database to provide scientifically sound information to improve the design, selection and performance of BMPs. http://www.bmpdatabase.org/

An Internet Guide to Financing Stormwater Management
A project of the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), in cooperation with the Watershed Management Institute, Inc, this Guide is designed to help communities find ways to pay for stormwater management projects. Site includes: annotated bibliography of existing stormwater finance materials; an archive that contains selected previously published materials concerning stormwater finance; a manual that discusses the financing options available to communities for stormwater management programs; a set of case studies that describe successful finance mechanisms that have been used in seven communities around the country; and a group of links to other useful web sites about stormwater management. http://stormwaterfinance.urbancenter.iupui.edu/

LakeSuperiorStreams
LakeSuperiorStreams.org uses web-based delivery and interactive animations of real-time stream data to address sustainability issues in western Superior watersheds. It incorporates interpretive information, curricula, and a site design toolkit to educate contractors/consultants, developers/realtors, students/teachers, homeowners, agencies and decision-makers. The website has evolved in parallel and in concert with the Western Lake Superior Regional Stormwater Protection Team (>25 organizations) which collaborates to deliver common educational messages, workshops, tools and approaches to this audience.
http://lakesuperiorstreams.org

Low Impact Development (LID): Urban Design Tools for Stormwater
A project of the Low Impact Design Center, Inc., this site seeks to provide guidance to local governments, planners, and engineers for developing, administering, and incorporating low impact development techniques into their aquatic resource protection programs. LID technology is an alternative comprehensive approach to stormwater management. It can be used to address a wide range of Wet Weather Flow (WWF) issues, including Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Phase II permits, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) permits, Non-point Source Program goals, and other Water Quality Standards. *The Urban Design Tools Site features a comprehensive Interactive Design page that addresses just about everything you might need to design LID solutions on virtually any scale. http://www.lid-stormwater.net/

Low Impact Development Center, Inc.
The Low Impact Development Center, Inc. is a nonprofit water resources research group with a mission of conducting research and training on low impact development (LID) techniques and sustainable stormwater management. Resources include publications, pictures, and other resources. http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Stormwater Program
"The goal of Michigan's Storm Water Program is to protect and preserve Michigan's water resources. We strive to accomplish this goal through a two step process. First of all, we have been delegated the regulatory authority to implement a storm water discharge permit program for the state of Michigan. Secondly, we have developed and implemented an educational component of our permitting process." http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3682_3716---,00.html

National Low Impact Development Clearinghouse
A project of the Low Impact Design Center Inc., this site seeks to share information and stormwater LID success stories. Projects are grouped into four (4) major program areas: Ordinances, Technical Guidance, Demonstration of Effectiveness, and Outreach and Education. Clearinghouse content associated with each of these areas also includes background information, technical discussions, literature references, and identification of additional resources. http://www.lid-stormwater.net/clearinghouse/

Non-point Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO)
This site is a University of Connecticut educational program for land use decision makers that addresses the relationship of land use to natural resource protection. This site provides information and technical assistance, publications, and slide shows on land use and water quality topics, with an emphasis on protecting water quality by reducing non-point source pollution, stormwater runoff and impervious surface. http://nemo.uconn.edu/index.htm

RiverSides Foundation
RiverSides mission: Healthy rivers, free from polluted runoff and stormwater flows, contributing to ecologically sustainable communities. Website includes such helpful tools as the "Homeowner's Guide to Rainfall," and more (especially helpful for Canadian Advocates).http://www.riversides.org/

Smart Growth Network
The Smart Growth Network, whose goal is to encourage development to better serve the economic, environmental, and social needs of communities, offers diverse information on sustainable urban design and the cost of urban sprawl as well as networking resources http://smartgrowth.org

Southeast Michigan Phase II Stormwater Information Clearinghouse: Meeting the Federal Regulations
A project of the Clinton River Watershed Council, goal is to provide communities and other interested parties with a central clearinghouse for information about the stormwater regulations. This site includes sections on: Communities Needing a Permit, Permit Overview, Permit Requirements, Regulations, Permits & Applications, Watershed-Based Guidance & Example Materials, Costs & Funding Opportunities, and Additional Web Resources. http://www.crwc.org/programs/phase2/phase2home.html

Stormwater Managers Resource Center
A project of the US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Office of Wastewater Management, this site offers a watershed protection library; stormwater slideshows, a 'manual builder,' an 'ordinance selector,' monitoring & assessment tools, program resources, examples of real-life stormwater manuals and assorted fact sheets. The Stormwater Manager's Resource Center is designed specifically for stormwater practitioners, local government officials and others that need technical assistance on stormwater management issues. http://www.stormwatercenter.net/

Stormwater Tool-kit: A Community Guide to Construction Site Runoff Prevention
Stormwater regulations are relevant before, during and after the construction process. This on-line toolkit includes the following sections: overview of the permit process for big-boxes, construction and post construction requirements, 'how can I use this information' (pre-construction, during construction, post-construction), and 'what can I do if I find a violation?' Visit the Stormwater Tool-kit: http://www.midwestadvocates.org/advocacy/Sustaining%20Communities/toolkit.htm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Model Ordinances to Protect Local Resources
This section includes model ordinance language, which focuses primarily on the maintenance of stormwater BMPs, and includes the elements of design, routine maintenance, and inspections. Provides sample materials from six communities from around the country. http://www.epa.gov/nps/ordinance/stormwater.htm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency NPDES National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices
The National Menu of Best Management Practices for Stormwater Phase II was first released in October 2000. EPA has renamed, reorganized, updated, and enhanced the features of the website. The Menu of BMPs is based on the Stormwater Phase II Rule's six minimum control measures (public education, public involvement, illicit discharge, construction, post-construction and good housekeeping). http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency NPDES Stormwater Program
This page contains technical and regulatory information about the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) stormwater program. It is organized according to the three types of regulated stormwater discharges and provides a link to stormwater outreach materials. Information specific to Phase I and Phase II stormwater regulations is also available http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=6

Freshwater Future builds effective community-based citizen action to protect and restore the water quality of the Great Lakes basin. We work toward this goal by providing financial assistance, communications and networking assistance and technical assistance to citizens and grassroots watershed groups throughout the Great Lakes basin. Through these efforts we work with over 1,800 grassroots watershed groups and citizens to protect and restore the rivers, lakes and wetlands in their communities. Freshwater Future, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

For more information, please contact:

info@freshwaterfuture.org
P.O. Box 2479, Petoskey, MI 49770
PH (231) 348-8200