WEF Strategic Plan for StormwaterWEF Stormwater Strategic Plan – v.1.0 Page 1 Strategic Plan for Stormwater A Three-Year Plan for Stormwater at the Water Environment Federation Prepared

WEF Strategic Plan for Stormwater Version 1.0

A Three-Year Plan for Stormwater at the Water Environment Federation

February 16, 2012

WEF Stormwater Strategic Plan – v.1.0

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Strategic Plan for Stormwater

A Three-Year Plan for Stormwater at the Water Environment Federation

Prepared by

WEF Stormwater Committee

Version 1.0

February 16, 2012


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Introduction: The impacts of stormwater runoff on the water environment are growing across the country. While stormwater has been regulated through the NPDES program since 1990, there is a general recognition in the stormwater community that management practices, administrative programs and regulatory frameworks have not kept pace with the pollution associated with stormwater runoff. In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to initiate a new national rulemaking to “improve and strengthen” its stormwater program in response to a 2009 report on urban stormwater released by the National Research Council (NRC). This report had several specific recommendations when taken as a whole represent a change in paradigm in the treatment and management of stormwater runoff.

As the regulatory community progressed on the topic of stormwater, WEF was moving forward as well. A task force was created in 2009 to investigate current activities that the Federation was engaged in on this topic already, as well as the potential for new activities, including programming, publications and collaborative efforts. The result of the year-long effort of this task force was a report, which recommended, among other items, that WEF should form a Stormwater Council in order to coordinate internal activities on this cross-cutting issue as well as continue the investigation into future efforts on this topic. The Board of Trustees (BOT) approved the formation of a Stormwater Coordinating Council in the spring of 2010 to pull together representatives from existing WEF committees, and this group held its first meeting at WEFTEC 2010. Through late 2010 and much of 2011, it became increasingly clear that the Council, while providing solid coordination among WEF committees active in stormwater issues, was limited – more was needed. The BOT agreed to transition from a Council to a Committee, and the WEF Stormwater Committee was formed in the fall of 2011. The first action taken by this group was to focus on the purpose of the committee and the type of work this group would be engaged in. This document serves this purpose. It was developed through a collaborative effort between the leadership and early members of the WEF Stormwater Committee, and the intent is to articulate the vision for WEF in stormwater as well as provide a plan for the future. This document should be viewed as a “living document” that will change as the landscape of the topic changes and the needs of stormwater practitioners evolve. The diagram on the following page illustrates the evolution of the stormwater program at WEF as described above. The current year (2011-2012) will focus on establishing the committee, integrating stormwater into the WEF network, and initiate the framework that will promote the implementation of the strategies outlined in this document. The ongoing process to produce deliverables as a committee will start in the following year (2012-2013).

How to Read this Document: This plan first poses a problem statement, which drives the purpose and need for a strong and direct engagement in stormwater-related issues. A vision statement is presented that reflect the overarching goals of the WEF stormwater program along with action items towards reaching this goal. A mission statement is then presented that articulates WEF’s mission to meet the proposed vision on stormwater along with five focus areas. A breakdown of goals and strategies by mission area is provided followed by a listing of these strategies broken into a three-year implementation plan starting with 2012-2013. Note that the strategies are listed in order of priority.


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Evolution of the WEF Stormwater Program


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WEF’s Stormwater Vision

Problem Statement Stormwater runoff is a significant and growing source of water pollution in the U.S. today. Also, as urbanization increases, stormwater pollution will be an increasingly significant issue across the globe.

Vision Statement We seek the re-establishment, and protection, of hydrologically and ecologically-functional watersheds and landscapes through innovative and cost-effective stormwater management practices and policies. This will be done through the following actions:

1. Reduce impacts of stormwater on receiving waters and restore America’s waterways and beyond.

2. Communicate the importance of stormwater management to the public as part of the integrated water environment.

3. Educate decision makers on the value of stormwater management features in 21st Century Infrastructure systems.

4. Enhance the natural and built environment through innovative and cost-effective stormwater solutions.

5. Promote an innovation-driven, science-based, regionally-appropriate, results-oriented culture within the stormwater profession.

6. Provide technical information to improve policies affecting stormwater management at all levels of government.

7. Integrate multi-disciplinary resources within the stormwater sector to form a unified coalition of stormwater professionals.


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WEF’s Mission to Meet the Stormwater Vision

Mission Statement

Provide leadership and voice for effective stormwater management by developing high-quality technical products and programming to support stormwater professionals, promote innovation in the field, support policies that recognize the importance of implementing sound management principles, encouraging communication and outreach with the public and decision makers, and collaborate with organizations and groups to advance the field.

Technical Excellence

WEF will utilize its extensive network of professionals and experience in technical product and programming development to establish an environment that will provide state-of-the-art technical materials and developments in stormwater management to interested parties.

Focus on Innovation

WEF will promote a collaborative, multidisciplinary and holistic approach to foster innovative stormwater management tools and technologies, while serving as a repository and learning center to equip stormwater professionals in all facets of stormwater management.

Policy Engagement

WEF will continue to engage with regulators, policy makers, legislators and decision-makers who impact the stormwater community to raise the profile of stormwater management and the role this field plays in improving the nation’s waters. A focus on funding needs and opportunities will be made to meet the growing demand for financial support for entities charged with protecting stormwater. Support will be provided to Member Associates on policy engagement at the state and local level.

Public Outreach and Communication

WEF will engage with elected officials, NGOs, and community organizations with an interest in stormwater management through a variety of avenues, including social media and public communications efforts.

Collaboration

WEF will form and further existing partnerships through collaboration with USEPA, regional and local agencies, and other professional organizations in the stormwater arena. These collaborations will recognize the diversity of disciplines and groups involved in stormwater management. WEF will investigate/implement complementary roles with other organizations, as well as determine the unique role that WEF should play in the stormwater field.


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Goals and Strategies By Mission Area

Technical Excellence

WEF will utilize its extensive network of professionals and experience in technical product and programming development to establish an environment that will provide state-of-the-art technical materials and developments in stormwater management to interested parties.

Goals and Strategies to Meet the Mission Statement Above: Goal 1 - Be the “go to” organization on technical expertise in stormwater

Strategies:

• Develop a science-based stormwater program that addresses technical needs for all professions/disciplines that comprise the stormwater community

• Host an annual or bi-annual national stormwater conference

• Investigate feasibility of establishing a peer-reviewed stormwater journal

Goal 2 - Be a major educational resource for members and non-members on stormwater

Strategies:

• Develop fact sheets on major topics

• Create a webpage to host information critical to stormwater professionals

• Compile case studies and publish these periodically

• Committee members will author or review stormwater publications of national significance

• Investigate the development of a certification program or support other existing certification programs by developing training products for stormwater professionals at various levels. The program would include all levels, including designers, inspectors and field staff

Goal 3 – Meet the needs for technical publications within the stormwater community

Strategies:

• Take inventory of existing stormwater publications and related products

• Provide input on the Stormwater Report (WEF’s current monthly e-newsletter)

• Investigate the feasibility of a periodic stormwater column

• Engage with other groups on update of stormwater utility publication


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Goals and Strategies by Mission Area Focus on Innovation

WEF will promote a collaborative, multidisciplinary and holistic approach to foster innovative stormwater management tools and technologies, while serving as a repository and learning center to equip stormwater professionals in all facets of stormwater management.

Goals and Strategies to Meet the Mission Statement Above:

Goal 1 – Establish WEF as the center of stormwater innovation

Strategies:

• Identify and highlight progressive approaches to meeting stormwater solutions

• Establish incentives, such as a nationally-recognized prize, to encourage innovative stormwater approaches

• Investigate and identify obstacles/impediments to innovation in stormwater management

• Foster an environment where professionals can readily learn from innovation and experience in the field

• Promote innovative stormwater management activities, such as the 2010 Houston LID Competition

Promote rigorous monitoring and data collection programs to help drive innovation

Goal 2 – Focus on sustainable approaches to stormwater management

Strategies:

• Highlight and compile innovative sustainable stormwater management practices

• Recognize the role of stormwater in the integrated water context

Goal 3 – Be the hub of information related to innovative stormwater management

Strategies:

• Identify areas of needed research and practice in stormwater

• Develop a database of contacts and case studies associated with innovative stormwater management

• Create an online forum for innovative stormwater practices and projects

Goal 4 – Support the development of science-based performance standards

Strategies:

• Work with WERF to understand the state of the research and what is achievable with existing tools and identify needs for additional research

• Work with the Watershed Management Committee to evaluate stormwater-focused TMDLs to determine chemical, physical and biological thresholds established by states seeking innovative means to address them in a sustainable manner

• Work to develop regionally-calibrated performance standards that promote ecosystem restoration that are sensitive to nature of receiving waters


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Goals and Strategies by Mission Area Policy Engagement

WEF will continue to engage with regulators, policy makers, legislators and decision-makers who impact the stormwater community to raise the profile of stormwater management and the role this field plays in improving the nation’s waters. A focus on funding needs and opportunities will be made to meet the growing demand for financial support for entities charged with protecting stormwater. Support will be provided to Member Associates on policy engagement at the state and local level.

Goals and Strategies to Meet the Mission Statement Above: Goal 1 – Work with other groups to develop and update policy documents on stormwater

Strategies:

• Update and revise WEF position statements related to stormwater periodically

• Develop policy briefs for major stormwater issues

• Work with Member Associations to engage in state/local policy

Goal 2 – Engage in proactive advocacy efforts regarding stormwater management

Strategies:

• Establish WEF as a leading technical advocacy resource to legislators and regulators

• Advocate for triple bottom line (environmental, economic and social) analysis in policy making

Goal 3 - Act as a moderator between the stormwater community (include environmental and NGOs) and policy makers

Strategies:

• Continue/maintain relationship with policy makers and act as a conduit to/from the stormwater industry

• Submit comments on key regulatory changes and updates, including the upcoming EPA-proposed stormwater rule

• Develop active engagement with environmental groups, NGOs and related professional organizations to affect policies


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Goals and Strategies by Mission Area

Public Outreach and Communication

WEF will engage with elected officials, NGOs, and community organizations with an interest in stormwater management through a variety of avenues, including social media and public communications efforts.


Goal 1 – Support the public outreach needs of stormwater professionals

Strategies:

• Support established WEF public outreach programs, such as the Water Matters campaign

• Put on webcasts/webinars that focus on meeting public outreach efforts required by MS4 permits

• Develop a series of “How to” manuals on topics of interest to stormwater community

• Publish and compile pragmatic cases studies on how to gain public support for various stormwater-focused efforts and activities

• Gather research on how to reach target audiences

Goal 2 – Coordinate and disseminate information on events of interest to the stormwater community

Strategies:

• Develop calendar and provide early notification of key events/issues

Goal 3 – Diversify message on benefits of stormwater management

Strategies:

• Engage in non-traditional partnerships to investigate benefits to stormwater beyond improving water quality

• Promoting the quantification of the value and multiple benefits of stormwater as a resource


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Goals and Strategies by Mission Area Collaboration

WEF will form and further existing partnerships through collaboration with USEPA, regional and local agencies, and other professional organizations in the stormwater arena. These collaborations will recognize the diversity of disciplines and groups involved in stormwater management. WEF will investigate/implement complementary roles with other organizations, as well as determine the unique role that WEF should play in the stormwater field.


Goal 1 – Identify strong potential collaborative partnerships with outside organizations

Strategies:

• Investigate and inventory potential collaborative partners. Build from Stormwater Task Force efforts

Goal 2 – Engage in collaborative efforts with targeted groups

Strategies:

• Collaborate with targeted group(s) identified in inventory/search efforts

• Host interdisciplinary roundtable meetings on stormwater

• Engage in review of pertinent sections of documents, such as the International Sustainability Institute’s Rating System document

Goal 3 – Collaborate within WEF committee system

Strategies:

• Request regular input from committee liaisons on stormwater-related activities and needs

• Work with established WEF committees to set path for success for stormwater management within WEF

Goal 4 - Work with Member Associations to support stormwater

Strategies:

• Identify areas of collaboration on technical products, as well as events

• Provide support to MAs on policy and technical efforts, as requested

Strategies by Year – 2012-2013


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Technical Excellence:

• Host an annual or bi-annual national stormwater conference

• Develop fact sheets on major topics

• Create a webpage to host information critical to stormwater professionals

• Take inventory of existing stormwater publications and related products

• Engage with other groups on update of stormwater utility publication

• Provide input on the Stormwater Report (WEF’s current monthly e-newsletter) Focus on Innovation:

• Identify and highlight progressive approaches to meeting stormwater solutions

• Investigate and identify obstacles/impediments to innovation in stormwater management

• Highlight and compile innovative sustainable stormwater management practices

• Identify areas of needed research and practice in stormwater

• Work with WERF to understand the state of the research and what is achievable with existing tools and identify needs for additional research

Policy Engagement:

• Update and revise WEF position statements related to stormwater periodically

• Develop policy briefs for major stormwater issues

• Advocate triple bottom line (environmental, economic and social) analysis in policy making

• Act as a technical sounding board on policy issues for policy makers by continuing/maintaining relationship with policy makers and act as a conduit to/from the stormwater industry

• Submit comments on key regulatory changes and updates, including the upcoming EPA-proposed stormwater rule

Public Outreach and Communication:

• Support established WEF public outreach programs, such as the Water Matters campaign

• Work with other groups to put on webcasts/webinars that focus on meeting public outreach efforts associated with the stormwater field

• Develop calendar and provide early notification of key events/issues

• Engage in non-traditional partnerships to investigate benefits to stormwater beyond improving water quality

Collaboration:

• Investigate and inventory potential collaborative partners -build from Stormwater Task Force efforts

• Engage in review of pertinent sections of documents, such as the International Sustainability Institute’s Rating System document

• Request regular input from committee liaisons on stormwater-related activities and needs

• Work with established WEF committees to set path for success for stormwater management within WEF

• Identify areas of collaboration on technical products, as well as events


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• Investigate feasibility of establishing a stormwater journal, including peer-reviewed and online options

• Compile case studies and publish these periodically

• Committee members will author or review stormwater publications of national significance

• Investigate the feasibility of a periodic stormwater column

Focus on Innovation:

• Promote rigorous monitoring and data collection programs to help drive innovation

• Promote innovative stormwater management activities, such as the 2010 Houston LID Competition

• Recognize the role of stormwater in the integrated water context

• Create an online forum for innovative stormwater practices and projects, and for individuals or groups involved in innovative approaches to stormwater to network with each other and present ideas to significant audiences

• Develop a database of contacts and case studies associated with innovative stormwater management

• Work with the Watershed Management Committee to evaluate stormwater-focused TMDLs to determine chemical, physical and biological thresholds established by states seeking innovative means to address them in a sustainable manner

Policy Engagement:

• Work with Member Associates to engage in state/local policy

• Establish WEF as a leading technical advocacy resource to legislators and regulators

• Develop active engagement with environmental groups, NGOs and related professional organizations to affect policies


• Gather research on how to reach target audiences

• Promoting the quantification of the value and multiple benefits of stormwater as a resource

Collaboration:

• Collaborate with targeted group(s) identified in inventory/search efforts

• Host interdisciplinary roundtable meetings on stormwater

• Provide support to Member Associates on policy and technical efforts, as requested


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• Develop a science-based stormwater program that addresses technical needs for all professions/disciplines that comprise the stormwater community

• Investigate the development of a certification programr support other existing certification programs by developing training products for stormwater professionals at various levels. The program would include all levels, including designers, inspectors and field staff

• Investigate the development of a certification program support other existing certification programs by developing training products for stormwater professionals at various levels. The program would include all levels, including designers, inspectors and field staff

Focus on Innovation:

• Establish incentives, such as a nationally-recognized prize, to encourage innovative stormwater approaches

• Foster an environment where professionals can readily learn from innovation and experience in the field

• Work to develop regionally-calibrated performance standards that promote ecosystem restoration that are sensitive to nature of receiving waters


• Develop a series of “How to” manuals on topics of interest to stormwater community

• Publish and compile pragmatic cases studies on how to gain public support for various stormwater-focused efforts and activities

Documents

WEF Strategic Plan for StormwaterWEF Stormwater Strategic Plan – v.1.0 Page 1 Strategic Plan for Stormwater A Three-Year Plan for Stormwater at the Water Environment Federation Prepared