Stormwater Regulation and Design Manual Development
CWP has extensive experience helping state and local governments adopt the most up-to-date stormwater regulations and design criteria based on the best available science. These manuals include design criteria that are adapted to the climate, topography, and regulatory environment of each state; design methodology and computation procedures; detailed BMP specifications; and a cogent and logical process for incorporating low-impact development and green infrastructure practices into the states’ compliance systems. Each has involved an extensive stakeholder process. These manuals also make a clear case for the importance of water quality and stormwater management by clearly communicating the negative impacts of urban stormwater runoff and the benefits of sound management. Several of these manual updates were followed by CWP delivering extensive training on the updated guidance. CWP has also assisted states with developing guidance on BMP maintenance, erosion and sediment control, incorporating green infrastructure into long term control plans, and developing offsite stormwater compliance programs. Since 2000, CWP has wroked on more than 30 manuals for states or municipalities.
CWP’s work on state manuals in Delaware and Virginia also included the review and revision of the stormwater regulations. In Virginia, CWP developed the Runoff Reduction Method, an innovative approach to crediting the pollutant removal and runoff volume reduction performance of BMPs, as a compliance tool for the Virginia stormwater regulations. CWP subsequently assisted several Virginia localities with developing and/or revising their stormwater ordinances. CWP has also assisted several municipalities with stormwater, drainage, and erosion and sediment control ordinance development and/or review.