Implementation of the EPA's Water Quality Trading Policy for Storm Water Management and Smart Growth

Abstract

A strategy has been presented to address conflicts that may arise in implementing smart growth initiatives in the face of the growing importance given to controlling nonpoint source pollutants. These pollutants are the result of urban development and subsequent storm water runoff and are regulated under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Phase I and Phase II storm water requirements. The strategy is based on utilizing EPA’s newly promulgated Water Quality Trading (WQT) Policy that seeks tradeoffs between development in different portions of a watershed. The strategy is consistent with regulatory requirements in providing a means to maintain compliance with water quality criteria in all portions of a stream, while providing a community with the flexibility to allow continued development in economically important areas. The strategy can be applied on a community-wide basis or in individual locations to support individual smart growth projects. Issues that must be addressed before WQT can be implemented are identified, along with potential solution strategies. Although additional effort is necessary to implement WQT for smart growth, a framework has been established upon which subsequent work can be built.