EPA scorecard, a catalyst for unified watershed management, a case study

Author(s)
Yakimowich, Peter E.
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Abstract
Chattanooga has completed their EPA Water Quality Scorecard and is using the analysis as a tool to shape the direction of policies, codes, tools, and standards. The Scorecard has put a spot light on the process of land development and its inseparable relationship to watershed management. The completion of the new on-line Rainwater Management Manual is a core product and that has been shaped by the Scorecard. This tool has been integrated with new plan review and approval process. Chattanooga is using the scorecard as a vehicle to guide future improvements in City policy and codes that can better support implementation of the new stormwater management program and a sustainable community. This has resulted in a complete rewrite of the existing stormwater management code as well as revisions to numerous other codes to remove conflicts or unsupportive requirements. The Scorecard has also initiated the development of a more comprehensive and intelligent GIS that identifies socio-economic as well as environmental opportunities and constraints. These are being applied by the regional planning agency to guide the development of regional plans and a unified development code. This presentation by City staff and their consultant team provides insights into the effective use of the scorecard; its value and its limitations as well as a discussion of lesson learned, specific policies, codes, and standards affected and either changed or recommended to be changed.
Sponsor
Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute; The University of Georgia, Water Resources Faculty.
Date
2013-04
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Text
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Proceedings
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