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SW Policy Objective-Natural Processes

Stormwater Policy Objective--Preserve Natural Hydrological Processes on a Landscape or Watershed Level

People For Puget Sound Stormwater Policy

Objective: Preserve Natural Hydrological Processes on a Landscape or Watershed Level

The best way to prevent stormwater problems is to preserve natural hydrologic processes on a landscape level (i.e.-on a scale greater than site-by-site).

• Channel Development into Urbanized Areas and Away from Least-Disturbed Watersheds and Subwatersheds.

The scientific literature is clear that the healthiest and most biologically productive streams are found in undisturbed watersheds. Even small levels of disturbance in the healthiest watersheds immediately trigger their ecological decline, starting with the loss of their most sensitive species and continuing with a decline in predators and an increase in the most tolerant species.

Such watersheds and associated streams should be set aside and protected from disturbance. The restoration of Puget Sound will require that we identify those watersheds that we can characterize as in good or excellent condition and preserve them. Preservation must be certain and permanent.

• Preserve Stream and Marine Shoreline Riparian Areas.

Buffers along marine and freshwater shorelines filter pollutants and reduce bank and beach erosion and resulting sedimentation. Buffers must be adequate to perform these functions.

• Preserve Wetlands and Other Areas Critical for Aquifer Recharge

. Loss of wetlands and other areas responsible for groundwater recharge have greatly amplified stormwater problems throughout the region. We must protect what’s left of this resource.

• Preserve and Restore Natural Stream Hydrology, Including Instream Flows.

Ensure that instream flows, natural meander of streams, and other natural characteristics of streams and rivers are preserved to the greatest extent possible.

Click on the links below for further discussions of individual objectives:

Prevent Impacts from New Development on a Site-Specific Scale

Source Control

Restore Hydrologic Processes and Water Quality in areas Where Development has Caused Harm

Mitigate Fully for Any Loss of Hydrologic Functions which Result from New Development

After Maximizing Prevention and Source Control Strategies, Use Best Management Practices to Reduce Impacts Until Restoration is Possible

Overarching Mechanisms to Achieve Objectives

To comment or for more information, contact Bruce Wishart, (360) 754-9177.