Grantee Research Project Results

Sustainable Community Oriented Stormwater Management (S-COSM): A Sensible Strategy for the Chesapeake Bay

EPA Grant Number: R835284
Title: Sustainable Community Oriented Stormwater Management (S-COSM): A Sensible Strategy for the Chesapeake Bay
Investigators: Leisnham, Paul
Current Investigators: Leisnham, Paul , Wilson, Sacoby M. , Davis, Allen , Montas, Hubert , Chanse, Victoria , McCoy, John , Foster, James , Rockler, Amanda , Shirmohammadi, Adel , Lipton, Douglas
Institution: University of Maryland - College Park
Current Institution: University of Maryland - College Park , Anacostia Watershed Society , Columbia Association , Maryland Sea Grant
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2017
Project Amount: $691,674
RFA: Sustainable Chesapeake: A Community-Based Approach to Stormwater Management Using Green Infrastructure (2012) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Sustainable and Healthy Communities , Water

Objective:

The goal of this project is to efficiently improve urban stormwater conditions by increasing Best Management Practice (BMP) adoption, specifically on targeted hot spots, via a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) process. Objectives are to: 1) identify barriers to BMP adoption, 2) spatially target stormwater hot spots with appropriate BMPs, filtered by adoption likelihood, and 3) lower BMP adoption thresholds.

Approach:

BMP adoption barriers will be identified using semi-structured interviews, PhotoVoice, economic assessments and surveys applied to 4,000 residents of two diverse and contrasting watersheds in Maryland and the District of Columbia that drain to the Chesapeake Bay. A model of BMP adoption likelihood as a function of social factors will be developed from these results. A Diagnosis Decision Support System (DDSS), incorporating the adoption model, will be developed, calibrated and validated to target hot spots, prescribe appropriate BMPs for them and map the level of change in social factors, attitudes and behaviors (adoption barriers) needed for adoption. CBPR instruments, including Watershed Steward Academies (WSA) train-the-trainer program, social marketing and education programs, and technology transfer will be applied in cooperative partnership with three state agencies and five well-established grassroots and community associations active in the study watersheds, to lower BMP adoption thresholds and implement prescribed BMPs in hot spots. A Community Watershed Advisory Committee (CWAC), comprised of community leaders and outside experts, will be formed to review project progress and further advise the interdisciplinary PI team.

Expected Results:

Expected outputs include: 1) data on barriers to BMP adoption in relation to social factors in diverse communities, 2) a decision tool to jointly size and target the biophysical and social efforts required for efficient and sustainable stormwater improvement, and 3) data on the effectiveness of CBPR instruments in lowering BMP adoption thresholds. Expected outcomes are improved environmental literacy, engagement and water quality in the study watersheds.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 33 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 3 journal articles for this project

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.