NRDC Nov. 2011 update to its 2006 Rooftops to Rivers Report (134 pgs).

Report shows how communities across the country are using innovative green infrastructure techniques to stop water pollution. These cities have determined that green infrastructure is a more cost effective approach than investing in "gray," or conventional, infrastructure, such as underground storage systems and pipes. At the same time, each dollar of investment in green infrastructure delivers other benefits that conventional infrastructure cannot, including more flood resilience and, where needed, augmented local water supply. Chapter 3 offers cost/benefit information about the economics of green infrastructure as a more cost-effective approach to manage polluted runoff, reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and stormwater runoff at a lower cost than conventional infrastructure alternatives alone. Includes case studies for 14 cities considered green infrastructure leaders, using a six-point “Emerald City Scale” that identified the six key actions that cities should take to become cleaner and greener. (Philadelphia was ranked #1, and Pittsburgh was included among the 14 case studies).

The Value of Green Infrastructure (American Rivers & Center for Neighborhood Technology, 2011, 80 pp)

Link to http://www.americanrivers.org/library/reports-publications/the-value-of-green-infrastructure.html

Green infrastructure (GI) is a network of decentralized stormwater management practices, such as green roofs, trees, rain gardens and permeable pavement, that can capture and infiltrate rain where it falls, thus reducing stormwater runoff and improving the health of surrounding waterways. Communities are recognizing the multiple benefits of using green infrastructure to take the stress off the aging, crumbling and overloaded conventional or “gray” infrastructure that is often the case with their water and wastewater treatment facilities. With this guidebook, the Center for Neighborhood Technology and American Rivers have, for the first time, pulled together the existing research on green infrastructure benefit valuation and developed a framework that will allow local communities to assess the local benefits of green infrastructure. The guide allows communities to make more educated investments in green infrastructure for the future by helping them evaluate the full range of benefits from sustainable approaches to water management.

Large Landscape Conservation: A Strategic Framework for Policy and Action

(Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2010, 56 pp)

The most important land and water issues facing North America—including land use patterns, water management, biodiversity protection, and climate adaptation—require new approaches.

This Report summarizes discussion held in 2009 to synthesize what we know about large landscape conservation and to identify the most important needs as we move forward.

Read about on-going large landscape initiatives in the Northeast

The Economic Value of Open Space in Southeastern Pennsylvania

(Green Space Alliance and DVRPC, 2010, 70 pp)

Among the findings: - Southeastern Pennsylvania realizes nearly $61 million in annual cost savings from protected open spaces’ ability to naturally filter out pollutants and replenish water supply. The total annual benefit generated by natural flood mitigation services is more than $37 million.

This report is the first to quantify the economic value of protected open space in the five-county area-- Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Alteration of streamflow magnitudes and potential ecological consequences: a multiregional assessment

(USGS, Journal article in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 2010, 11 pp)

Most River Flows across the U.S. are Altered by Land and Water Management, Leading to Ecological Degradation—This USGS assessment provides the most geographically extensive analysis to date of streamflow alteration. Findings show that the amount of water flowing in streams and rivers has been significantly altered from land and water management in nearly 90 percent of waters that were assessed in the nationwide USGS study.  Flow alterations are a primary contributor to degraded river ecosystems and loss of native species whose survival and reproduction are tightly linked to specific flow conditions.

Putting Green to Work: Economic Recovery Investments for Clean and Reliable Water

(American Rivers, 2010, 24 pp)

evaluates the groundbreaking water infrastructure investment in green infrastructure pioneered under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) that provided $1.2 billion for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency, and environmental innovation.

Read more about Green Infrastructure Funding.

Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Urban and Suburban Zoning Codes

(US EPA, 2009, 45 pp)

identifies and suggest solutions for the most common code and ordinance barriers faced by governments as they try to implement smart growth techniques.

Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities

(ICMA, International City/County Management Association, 36 pp, 2010)

highlights smart growth strategies that can help guide rural growth while preserving the unique rural character of existing communities

Golf Course Water Resources Handbook of Best Management Practices
(LandStudies, Inc. and The Pennsylvania Environmental Council, 2009, 59 pp)

provides a concise overview of 18 Best Management Practices (BMPs) to help improve and protect water resources.

Impact of Land Use on the Cost of Drinking Water

(Trust for Public Land, Center for Land and Water30 pp., 2008)

Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices
(US EPA, EPA 841-F-07-006, 37 pp, 2007)

Fact Sheet, 2 pages, available here. Visit www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07 for the full report

Using GIS Tools to Link Land Use Decisions to Water Resources Protection

(National Association of Counties, 2007, 20 pp)

Provides a list of commonly used GIS tools available to link land use decisions to water resources protection. Five county case studies are profiled.

Protecting Water Resources with High Density Development

(US EPA, 2006, 45 pp.)

How communities can protect water resources while accomodating growing populations.

Available from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications. E-mail nscep@bps-lmit.com or call 1-800-490-9198 and request EPA publication 231-R-06-001.

Or visit http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/protect_water_higher_density.pdf

Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best Management Practices

(US EPA, 2005, 110 pp.)

How communities can integrate smart growth practices into stormwater planning and compliance.

Available from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications. E-mail nscep@bps-lmit.com or call 1-800-490-9198 and request EPA publication 231-B-05-002. Or visit www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/

Protecting Water Resources with Smart Growth

(US EPA,  2004, 116 pp)

Discusses Smart Growth tools useful for water resource protection.  Available from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications. E-mail nscep@bps-lmit.com or call 1-800-490-9198 and request EPA publication 231-R-04-002. Or visit www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/

Paving Our Way to Water Shortages: How Sprawl Aggravates the Effects of Drought
(American Rivers, Natural Resources Defense Council, Smart Growth America, 2003, 31 pp) Examines suburbanized areas and calculates groundwater losses due to increases in impervious surfaces.