The Watershed Center works to reduce stormwater pollution from reaching Grand Traverse Bay.  Stormwater is a a type of runoff that  collects on paved areas following precipitation.

Runoff increases erosion, which results in more sediment flowing to Grand Traverse Bay.  Excessive sediment from erosion, along with nutrients such as phosphorus from fertilizers, are the top two water quality threats to Grand Traverse Bay.  Effectively managing stormwater reduces sediments and phosphorus from reaching the Bay.

It also keeps Grand Traverse Bay oligotrophic, meaning cold.  Stormwater that runs over paved areas and land becomes warmer.  Effective stormwater management reduces such thermal pollution, which is important for cold water species such as Lake Trout.

We work very closely with the City of Traverse City, numerous townships, and scores of project partners and volunteers from myriad organizations and businesses throughout the Grand Traverse region to protect Grand Traverse Bay from stormwater pollution.   

The Watershed Center published A Natural Solution in spring 2008.  It won the Grand Traverse County Planning Commission Special Award in fall 2008.  This award-winning Low Impact Development guidebook was made possible by a grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.  A Natural Solution details commercial and residential Low Impact Development stormwater applications for the Grand Traverse Region.

Low Impact Development is a set of small-scale stormwater management practices implemented on a site that mimic and work with nature to reduce water runoff and pollutants.  LID methods manage water and pollutants at the source, minimizing the impact of development on ground water, streams, rivers, lakes and coastal waters.  The U.S. EPA has found that implementing LID practices saves substantial money for developers, property owners and entire communities, all while improving water quality.

Addressing pollutants with LID stormwater practices is of utmost importance in Grand Traverse region developments.  In 1992 Grand Traverse County adopted a Storm Water Control ordinance.  One of the primary objectives of the ordinance is to prevent accelerated soil erosion and sedimentation resulting from development.  In the rapidly growing Grand Traverse region, water quality is directly linked to economic vitality, high property values and a vibrant quality of life.

Implementing LID practices reduces project costs while improving environmental performance. Developers realize significant savings thanks to reduced costs for site grading and preparation, stormwater infrastructure and paving.  Capital cost savings can range from 15% to 80% when implementing LID practices.

Benefits for developers include:

• Developing more units on a site.  Less land is used for stormwater infrastructure, as compared to installing conventional ponds.  This translates to having more land for additional lots, which increases profits.
• Incresed property values based on desirability and proximity to open space. A real estate study conducted by American Lives, Inc., found that 78% of prospective homeowners rated natural open space as "very important" or "essential" in planned communities.
• Increased marketing potential.
• Faster sales.  The aesthetic value of landscaping with trees, shrubs and flowering plants inherent in LID practices increases property values; this reults in faster sales due to perceived value of "additional" landscaping.
• Higher property values.  Location, location, location!  Property owners are willing to pay premium prices to be located near aesthetically pleasing amenities such as open space, water features and gardens.

Benefits for property owners and communities include:

• Increased property values and high property tax revenue
• Enhanced aesthetics and improved habitat
• Expanded amenities, public spaces and recreational opportunities
• Reduced downstream flooding and subsequent property damage
• A sense of public participation; LID practices implemented on individual lots increases awareness of local water quality issues
• Higher overall quality of life 

For a copy of A Natural Solution, please contact Sarah U'Ren at suren@gtbay.org or 231.935.1514.  You can also download an electronic copy below.