3701 Orchid Place
Emmaus, PA 18049-1637
610/965-4397
www.wildlandspa.org
June 30, 2008
Final Report for the Water Resources Education Network Funded Grant:
Stormwater and Land Development - The Water Quality Connection
Project Description:
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has adopted a new manual which treats
stormwater as an asset which should be reclaimed. These new recommendations will address
stormwater quality as it is reintroduced to surface and groundwaters, versus the older approach of
treating stormwater as a nuisance to be quickly disposed of. A major portion of the new manual
addresses education of basic concepts such as the hydrologic cycle, runoff and its impacts,
groundwater recharge and impervious surface coverage. With final adoption of the “BMP Manual” by
the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, many municipal engineers and staff
members find themselves confused about the contents of the manual and implementation of the
recommendations within. Within the engineering community, there is unfamiliarity with concepts such
as rain gardens, porous paving, native plants and other non-structural best management practices such
as clustering development. Frequently, municipal staff - especially in the Carbon County area are
unfamiliar with current best management practices for handling stormwater. Because some local
Planning Commission members and elected officials are apprehensive of new practices and regulations
they could benefit from training on the use of the BMP manual and implementing the strategies it
identifies.
Weissport Borough and Wildlands Conservancy were awarded a Water Resource Education Network
grant through the League of Women Voters to present a day-long workshop for municipal officials,
planners and engineers to help interested attendees understand some of the recommended stormwater
management techniques. The workshop, facilitated by the Wildlands Conservancy, was held to help
educate municipal decision-makers about better ways to handle stormwater before its reintroduction
into aquifers or surface waters and show concrete examples of peer municipalities which have
implemented best management practices.
To advertise the workshop a press release was distributed to the County’s target audience of
government officials and staff, municipal solicitors, and engineers. In addition, promotional materials
1
were distributed including a workshop informational brochure and save-the-date flier which were
prepared by local professional graphic artists.
On November 16, 2007 the Stormwater and Land Development workshop was held in Jim Thorpe, PA.
The workshop was conducted by leading professionals in the field of stormwater best management
practices. To start, Stroud Water Research Center provided information on natural stream ecosystems
and effects of human disturbance. Next, Natural Lands Trust, who were instrumental in the writing of
“Growing Greener-Putting Conservation into Local Codes” (a publication funded by the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources), presented on open space planning and conservation by design.
Borton-Lawson Engineering presented highlights of structural and non-structural best management
practices. The workshop ended with a conservation subdivision design exercise and a facilitated
discussion session.
In a county which is known for difficulty in involving local government officials with innovative
planning techniques, the workshop’s attendance was an overwhelming success. In total 46 were in
attendance including local government staff, elected and appointed officials as well as decision makers
such as municipal solicitors and engineers. All were engaged throughout the day in this interactive
workshop.
The success of the workshop was measured by evaluating the level of knowledge attendees felt they
had gained from attendance. Participants were asked to complete pre- and post-workshop surveys
which assessed their familiarity with the topics presented. Specifically, participants were asked about
their comfort level with the body of knowledge presented in hopes that their familiarity with the
concepts translated into practical knowledge and acceptance of practices that will improve stormwater
quality management.
With an established partnership with Carbon County municipalities already in operation, the Wildlands
Conservancy will continue to serve as a liaison to address expressed and future needs of attendees, as
well as to assess the need for follow-up information sessions. The impact of the workshop will be seen
as implementation of best management practices for land development which manage for water
quality. The specific format of this workshop has already been conducted by the Montgomery County
Lands Trust in conjunction with Natural Lands Trust and was successfully attended by numerous
municipal engineers and officials.
Our hope is that training will continue to pique the attendees’ interest in the innovative stormwater best
management practices and they will begin to employ them in projects, as well as adapting local
regulations to encourage better stormwater practices and water quality innovations. Two municipalities
have expressed interest in receiving professional planning assistance to review and update their
ordinances.
I hereby certify that I agree with the content of this progress report:
________________________________
Scott J. Cope, CPRP
Chief Program Officer
Wildlands Conservancy
____________________________________________
Shannon McAward
Weissport Borough
2
Financial Report:
July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008 Budget Worksheet
Approved Budget July 1, 2007
Lead Organization:
Wildlands Conservancy
Project Leader:
Scott Cope
Organization with fiscal
responsibility:
Wildlands Conservancy, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA 18049
Project Title:
Stormwater and Land Development - The Water Quality Connection
Final Report:
June 30, 2008
Project ID #22
Expenditure Categories for Water Resources Education Network Funded Grant
Total Approved
LWVPA CEF
Grant Amounts:
Printing/copying $
-
Travel $
-
Office supplies $
-
Postage/Distribution $
Advertising/Promotional Items
(including website) $
Workshops/Meetings $
APPROVED EXPENSES
APPROVED EXPENSES
FROM INTERIM
RECORD OF IN-KIND
UP TO INTERIM
REPORT TO FINAL
SERVICES
REPORT 2nd
REPORT Final
(If Available)
disbursement (40%) to be Disbursement (10%) to be
paid after interim report paid after final report (due
(due Dec. 7, 2007) is
July 15, 2008) and all grant
submitted (Attach expense requirements have been
documentation)
met (Attach expense
documentation)
$
264.25
100.00 $
74.40
600.00
$
580.00
1,000.00
$
152.60
Administrative Personnel $
-
Program Outreach Personnel $
-
Professional Services $
2,500.00
$
1,128.75
$
389.20
Educational Equipment or Materials $
500.00
$
2,500.00
$
179.05
$
4,700.00
$
568.25
Signs $
-
Others (list below)
TOTAL BUDGET:
$
4,700.00
$
-
1st Disbursement (50%)
$
2,350.00
25% check sent:
7/30/2007 & 1/2/2008
2nd Disbursement (40%)
$
1,880.00
check sent:
requested 1/16/2008
Final Disbursement (10%):
$
470.00
amount left to be spent
3