Check out the winning projects! Crediting Residential BMPs
In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, one of the greatest threats to the health of the Bay comes from increased development of the land. Increased development and transformation of the landscape leads to less rainwater soaking into the ground where it is naturally filtered before returning to our streams and rivers. Instead, more water “runs off” our properties and travels along our impervious corridors of driveways and streets picking up pollutants along the way which are then delivered to our streams and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
The Urban Stormwater Workgroup along with the other CBP review workgroups has recently approved the crediting of on-site LID practices or “homeowner BMPs” as they have come to be known for credit in the Watershed Model. So what does that mean? It means that localities and states can now take credit for these practices and apply it toward meeting their Bay TMDL load reductions. While individually, load reductions from on-site practices are not too impressive…across a community and over 15 years, they can really add up !
To learn more about this particular restoration practice read the protocol developed (and approved!) to allow localities to get nutrient reduction credit in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model for the installation of verifiable homeowner BMPs.
Other Resources
Listen to a webcast on how to use our “Bay-Friendly Homeowner Guide” to design, construct and install small on-lot practices. The crediting approach is also covered briefly.
Listen to a webcast on how local governments can create or enhance their local residential BMP programs.
You can also find a Directory of Residential BMP Assistance Programs Across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed on our website here.