Assorted Fact Sheets

These assorted Fact Sheets provide general guidance on a variety of techniques that can be applied to protect or restore aquatic resources in a subwatershed. The fact sheets are organized around the tools of watershed protection (see below). General information provided on each fact sheet typically includes descriptions, costs, examples, design considerations, limitations, and other references. The information provided on the fact sheets should be viewed only as guidance; users should always investigate the availability of more specific and potentially overriding guidance that exists locally.

Watch for links to related materials that are available in other categories within this website.

View all Fact Sheets pertaining to:

• Land Planning Choose One Resource Protection Templates Watershed Based Zoning Fact Sheet
  Watershed planning covers a wide array of activities that generally revolve around land use and development decisions. The fact sheets presented here include a series of resource protection templates that provide guidance on how different types of watersheds (e.g., sensitive, impacted, urban lake, etc.) might be managed. In addition, a fact sheet on watershed-based zoning gives insight on one of many land use planning techniques available to the watershed manager.
  
• Land Conservation Choose One Conservation Easements Urban Watershed Forestation
  Land conservation is an important watershed protection tool because it involves taking the necessary steps to protect the most valuable resources within a watershed. The fact sheets here include conservation easements and urban watershed reforestation, both of which target the establishment of large, permanent tracts of open space.
• Aquatic Buffers
  Buffers are a type land conservation that have added importance because they are the interface between streams and developed or disturbed areas. As establishing and maintaining buffers is an important tool for watershed managers, this fact sheet addresses the important aspects of an effective buffer.
• Better Site Design Choose One Alternative Pavers Alternative Turnarounds Open Space Design Green Parking Narrower Residential Streets
  Several innovative site planning techniques can help reduce the amount of impervious cover and stormwater runoff from a site. In addition, these practices can reduce the pollutant loads that are delivered to receiving streams. A small suite of better site design fact sheets are provided here to illustrate how these innovative practices can be incorporated into site designs and outline associated environmental benefits.
• Erosion and Sediment Control
  Effective erosion and sediment control at a site requires that a full suite of redundant controls be applied in a logical fashion to prevent adverse effects on receiving waters. A series of 13 fact sheets are provided here that cover some of the more common and effective erosion and sediment control practices that can be used on construction sites.
• Stormwater Management Practices Choose One Porous Pavement Infiltration Basin Infiltration Trench Bioretention Grassed Filter Strip Sand & Organic Filter Grassed Channel On-Lot Treatment Wetlands Dry Extended Detention Pond Wet Pond
  The Manual section of this website provides abundant information on stormwater practice design, performance criteria, and selection guidance. In addition, a series of fact sheets on the most common stormwater management practices provides quick summary descriptions of practices, including planning level cost information. Also, for additional information and data associated with performance of stormwater treatment practices you can check out the National BMP Case Study Database at http://www.bmpdatabase.org.
• Stream Restoration Practices Choose One Bank Protection Bank Stabilization Grade Control Flow Deflection
  Stream restoration practices have a range of objectives, from bank protection to habitat creation. Frequently, these practices are installed in concert with upstream stormwater management practices. This category presents a series of fact sheets that provide descriptions and schematics of a suite of over 20 practices broken down into four major groups: bank protection, grade control, flow deflection/concentration, and bank stabilization.
• Non-Stormwater Discharges
  Non-stormwater discharges include a range of nonpoint pollution sources that can have significant contributions to pollutant loads in some watersheds. Examples of non-stormwater discharges include illicit connections, sanitary sewer overflows, and improperly functioning septic systems. This fact sheet addresses septic systems.
• Pollution Prevention Choose One Residential Pollution Prevention Municipal Pollution Prevention
  One of the goals of watershed stewardship is to increase public awareness and understanding about watersheds, which includes educating people about the consequences that many of their day-to-day behaviors can have on the health of a watershed. A series of residential and municipal/institutional pollution prevention fact sheets are presented here that address topics ranging from pet waste management to green rooftops to illegal dumping controls.