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SW Policy Objective-Fully Mitigate
Stormwater Policy Objective-Mitigate Fully for Any Loss of Hydrologic Functions which Result from New Development
Stormwater Policy Objective: Mitigate Fully for Any Loss of Hydrologic Functions which Result from New Development
If it is not possible to prevent stormwater from being generated at a new site, then the impacts of the stormwater generated should be fully mitigated.
• No Net Loss of Forest Cover in the Puget Sound Basin.
Loss of evergreen forests must be limited in the process of conversion to urban purposes, and such loss must be balanced by increasing/restoring the evergreen forest cover in disturbed areas within the basin.
Loss of evergreen forests caused by new development should be restricted by the Growth Management Act and regulated through municipal development codes. Smart growth approaches that discourage sprawl into evergreen forests should be required. Forestry and clearing should be permitted only to the extent that it is done in a manner which fully mitigates for resulting stormwater impacts.
• Establish a Program for Trading Forest Conversion for Forest Restoration Credits.
Such a program would ensure that for each portion of a site cleared for development, an appropriate (i.e.-greater than 1:1) forested area is restored – and permanently preserved -- elsewhere in the basin. (Forest restoration in disturbed areas can be accomplished by a variety of programs. Restoration of buffers along urban streams is an example.) Great care should be taken in constructing such programs to insure that trading is conducted in a fashion which results in a net gain.
• Encourage Water Reuse Programs on a Large Scale.
In addition to reuse on site, jurisdictions should collect and reuse stormwater to the greatest extent feasible on a larger scale. This will involve creation of new infrastructure.
Click on the links below for further discussions of individual objectives:
Preserve Natural Hydrological Processes on a Landscape or Watershed Level
Prevent Impacts from New Development on a Site-Specific Scale
Restore Hydrologic Processes and Water Quality in areas Where Development has Caused Harm
Overarching Mechanisms to Achieve Objectives
To comment or for more information, contact Bruce Wishart, (360) 754-9177.