Stormwater & Green Infrastructure

The California Bay Area Stormwater Management Association (BASMAA) commissioned Cascadia to conduct the first comprehensive study of the volume of litter flowing into the San Francisco Bay—characterizing litter and debris accumulating in storm drains and clogging hydrodynamic separators. BASMAA is using the results of this study to educate area residents and businesses on best practices for protecting marine health. The results of this research were highlighted in an article issued by the Bay Area Mercury News outlet.

Cascadia wrote the Trash Load Reduction Plans for four agencies (City of Campbell, City of Monte Sereno, City of Saratoga, Town of Los Gatos) in the Bay Area to satisfy the San Francisco Bay Region Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit (MRP). The reports outline a list of control measures and associated timeline for adopting actions to reduce the amount of litter entering the stormdrain system by forty percent by 2014. Baseline data for these plans were provided by Cascadia's work in BASMAA Storm Drain Trash Load Characterization Study.

Cascadia led a team to conduct foundational research and design a targeted outreach plan that would engage businesses in the City of Redmond's (WA) downtown business district to undertake specific actions to prevent stormwater pollution and protect the local aquifer used for drinking water. The resulting plan incorporated social marketing strategies designed to resonate with Redmond businesses, introducing cost-effective operational alternatives that would reduce pollution threats to the City's stormwater system and groundwater quality.

Recognizing that increased growth posed increasing risks to local water resources, Clallam County (WA) established a stakeholder work group to assist in the development of a comprehensive stormwater management plan and outreach strategy. Cascadia supported the work group by assisting with the writing of the plan and leading the development of an outreach strategy building on the community's existing resources and unique qualities to encourage adoption of stormwater best management practices across the country.

King County (WA) is designing and building green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to control combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the Barton CSO basin. As a subconsultant to SvR Design, Cascadia is supporting public involvement, education, and technical assistance efforts to engage as many residents as possible in the design and implementation process. Cascadia participated in public meetings, compiled comments from residents during the design process, designed and mailed invitations to residents to participate in neighborhood informational “block open houses,” and is helping to lead planting workshops with residents. The outreach strategy has incorporated Ballard “lessons learned” into its design approach and has worked to inform residents within the project area early and often about prospective changes; provide a consistent point of contact to answer project related questions; and establish clear pathways to collect input and feedback on the proposed project. The Barton project communications and public engagement efforts have employed strategies that have worked to earn and sustain the trust of potentially affected interests throughout the duration of the project.

Sound Transit developed a Sustainability Plan for 2030, which includes goals to conserve water and limit herbicide use. They also have an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan which states that facilities staff and contractors should be knowledgeable about and trained in IPM and sustainable landscaping principles, and that a training plan for staff and contractors should be developed and implemented. In 2011, Cascadia evaluated landscape practices at 22 Sound Transit stations, provided specific recommendations for existing and future planting beds, evaluated the agency's landscaping contractor written specifications, outlined cost effective maintenance activities, and developed a best management practices maintenance manual. Cascadia is currently writing a water reduction strategy and developing sustainable landscaping training for staff.

Cascadia is co-facilitating a collaborative team process to design and implement a regional outreach program (80 jurisdictions) for preventing and fixing vehicle leaks. Cascadia is employing community-based social marketing (CBSM) principles to: 1) gain understanding of target audiences; 2) create messages that resonate with audiences; 3) identify effective communication methods; and 4) deliver incentives that lead to actions and achieve measurable outcomes. The result of this project will be an education program rolled out with the STORM jurisdictions.

Cascadia is leading the development of a program that comprehensively addresses all aspects of sustainable, ecological land care, provides practical knowledge for people in the field, recognizes individuals for their knowledge, and helps create a "green sector" of professionals focused on sustainable land care in Washington State. Cascadia is working with a coalition of organizations to create a training and accreditation program for landscape professionals: identifying an organization to develop, run, and maintain the program; developing a business plan; and assessing and creating market demand for "green" landscaping services.

Cascadia is coordinating a statewide effort to educate targeted audiences—including members of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC); nursery and landscaping professionals; and compost processors—across the state. This intensive four-month, multi-part project is funded by the Washington State Legislature (State Toxics Control Account) and driven by an upcoming mandate that requires the adoption and implementation of low impact development strategies across the state. Cascadia is designing and delivering audience-centered outreach, education, and training on LID and the upcoming LID requirements.