IMPACTS OF LAND DEVELOPMENT ON OREGON’S WATERS

2001

This slide show was borrowed from the internet but we added our own research when we presented it. It was originally from 2001 but we updated it to 2010.

Impacts

Understanding the problemImpacts of Land Development on Water

Quality

Looking at the whole watershed

Forestry

Urban development

Agriculture

Septic systems

Impacts

How does development pollute?

Impacts

Land development can cause…

Polluted water

Loss of fish and wildlife

habitat

Altered water flows

Impacts

Types of water pollution

Point source Industrial outflow

Non-point source “Polluted runoff” “Diffuse pollution” “Runoff pollution”

Impacts

Chemical components of pollution

Oil & grease contamination

Heavy metal contamination

Pesticide & herbicide contamination

Increased harmful bacteria

Increased nutrients

Increased oxygen demanding materials

Impacts

Physical components of pollution

Increased sediment input

Increased temperatures

Impacts

Impaired or destroyed fish and wildlife habitat

Changes in species diversity and abundance

Changes in physical structures

Photo Copyright Oregon Sea Grant 1999

Impacts

Aquatic habitat:

“Properly Functioning Conditions”

Temperature in natural range Enough dissolved oxygen Clear enough to see food and

breathe Clean enough for food web to

function Clean and complex enough

for spawning and rearing habitat

• Temperature in natural range• Enough dissolved oxygen• Clear enough to see food and

breathe• Clear enough for food web to

function• Clean and complex enough for

spawning and rearing habitat

Impacts

Altered water flows

Increased flood peaks

More frequent flooding

Lower dry weather flow

Loss of stream complexity

Center for Watershed Protection, Copyright 1999

Water balance

Impacts

Impervious surface cover as an indicator

– Rooftops

– Transport Systems• Parking lots• Streets• Sidewalks• Driveways• Cul de sacs

Impacts

Natural ground cover

Photo Copyright 1999, Center for Watershed Protection

Impacts

Where do we stand? Local impervious surface cover Local building trends Pollution problems Habitat loss

Impacts

Prevention is possible

Impacts

Prevention works:taking action locally

Limit impervious surface across the watershed

Treat stormwater Restrict high risk activities

in sensitive areas Create buffers around

streams, wetlands, and shore lands

Encourage tree preservation and native vegetation

University of Connecticut, NEMO

Impacts

Prevention Works:taking action locally

When someone builds on an area where you know it isn’t good to build on, what are the regulations

When someone builds on a buffer zone commissioners should approve

What are the consequences if you build on a sensitive area

Impacts

Prevention works:taking action nationally

National guidelines governing land development compared to local laws

General laws/guidelines

Impacts

Prevention works:taking action in our community

Reclamation-parking lots, grassy areas, pavement

Explore more earth friendly alternatives rather than concrete and roofs

Impacts

Prevention Works:taking action within our school Make a personal suggestion about our

own school Plant trees and buffers Community service where we replant

areas affected by fires or land development/deforestation