A statewide program to educate local decision makers about the impacts of land use choices on water quality
AWARE Colorado Update • September 2008
AWARE Colorado continues to visit communities around the state to inform local officials and others about tools and strategies to protect water quality. To learn more about the AWARE Colorado program or schedule a presentation click here.
Here are some new resources, articles and upcoming events.
• NEWS FROM AWARE
New Look and Content for AWARE Colorado Web Site
AWARE Colorado just rolled out its new and improved Web site. It’s at the same address (awarecolorado.org) but has a fresh look with lots of new resources to learn about more ways to protect local water quality through community land use planning.
Check out the new map, by clicking on Community Presentations, to view many of the communities that AWARE has visited around the state. Our presentations continue to inform communities about tools and strategies that can help local officials preserve water quality.
Of course, AWARE’s centerpiece publication, “Water Protection Toolkit for Local Officials,” remains available to download, as do all of AWARE’s newsletters. And the Helpful Links and Resources pages are now easier to use.
We encourage any comments or suggestions, so while you’re navigating the Web site please feel free to contact us and let us know what you think.
Urban Drainage and Flood Control District needs your help to update guidance document
Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD) is seeking survey responses from anyone involved with land development and stormwater management in Colorado to help update their guidance on stormwater quality and volume reduction techniques, such as low impact development. You do not need to be a civil engineer, or be familiar with UDFCD, to fill out this survey.
To complete the survey, logon www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=5yA3wNaFaDp_2fNmq_2f8oLXgw_3d_3d.
• NEW RESOURCES
Deriving Reliable Pollutant Removal Rates for Municipal Street Sweeping and Storm Drain Cleanout Programs in the Chesapeake Bay Basin
This Center for Watershed Protection document reports research to quantify pollutant reductions that can be achieved by street sweeping and storm drain cleanouts.
To download, log on www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Restoration_and_Watershed_Stewardship/municipal.htm.
Find a Watershed Group Near You
Click on the map for information about watershed groups in Colorado's major river basins.
Log on www.coloradowater.org.
Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manual No. 9: Municipal Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Practices
This Manual from the Center for Watershed Protection outlines how municipal pollution prevention/good housekeeping practices can be used to address local water quality issues and watershed restoration goals.
To download, log on www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Restoration_and_Watershed_Stewardship/municipal.htm.
Characterizing Riparian Width in the Colorado Front Range
This Colorado State University research aims to determine geomorphic controls on riparian width and test a three-pronged approach to delineating the edge of the riparian zone.
Log on page 6 of the Colorado Water newsletter at www.cwi.colostate.edu/current_newsletter.asp.
Green Roofs Offer More Than Color for the Skyline
New York offers new financial credits to encourage the installation of green roofs.
Washington State First to Require Low Impact Stormwater Management Techniques
Communities in western Washington state are now required to use low-impact development techniques to control stormwater where feasible.
For more, log on www.martenlawgroup.com/news/?20080903-stormwater-mgmt-techniques.
• UPCOMING EVENTS
Sustaining Colorado Watersheds: Striking a Balance for the Future
It's not too late to register for this event!
3rd annual Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference
Oct. 1-3, 2008
Vail Cascade Resort & Spa
Vail, Colo.
Log on http://coloradowater.org/2008conference.
Colorado Environmental Film Festival
Oct. 2-5, 2008
American Mountaineering Center
710 10th St., Golden, Colo.
More information is available at www.ceff.net.
Governor’s Conference on Managing Drought and Climate Risk
Oct. 8-10, 2008
Grand Hyatt Denver
Denver, Colo.
For more information, log on www.cwcb.state.co.us or contact Ben Wade at 303-866-3441 ext. 3238.
Urban Ecology Landscape Symposium
Oct. 17, 2008
Boulder Public Library
Boulder, Colo.
For more information, contact Renae Foxhoven at renae@foxbach.com or 303-484-0820.
Colorado River Watch Training
Oct. 22-23, 2008
Camp Cedaridge
Cedaridge, Colo.
For more information, contact Curtis Hartenstine at curtis@coloradowatershed.org or at 303-291-7439.
South Platte Forum: News, Weather and Water
Oct. 22-23, 2008
Radisson Conference Center
Longmont, Colo.
For more information, log on www.southplatteforum.org.
Grading & Erosion Control Seminar and BMPs for Construction in Waterways
Oct. 28-29, 2008
RDC
Colorado Springs, Colo.
For more information, call 719-385-5543.
2008 International Low Impact Development Conference
Nov. 16-19, 2008
Westin Seattle
Seattle, Wash.
Log on http://content.asce.org/conferences/lid08/index.html.
Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities Conference
Nov. 20-21, 2008
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Colorado Springs, Colo.
To learn more about ways communities can prevent the impacts of land use on water quality, visit the AWARE Colorado Web site at www.awarecolorado.org.
AWARE Colorado is an educational program of the League of Women Voters of Colorado Education Fund. It is funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Copyright 2008 League of Women Voters of Colorado Education Fund
1410 Grant Street, Suite B204, Denver, CO 80203