News & Notices
EPA has released the following four new smart growth publications:(EPA publication 231-R-06-001) The U.S. Census Bureau projects that U.S. population will grow by 50 million people, or approximately 18 percent, between 2000 and 2020. This study intends to help communities better understand the impacts of higher and lower density on water resources. To more fully explore this issue, EPA modeled stormwater runoff from three different densities at three scales-one-acre level, lot level, and watershed level-and at three different time series build-outs to examine the premise that lower-density development is always better for water quality. The findings indicated that low-density development may not always be the preferred strategy for protecting water resources. Higher densities may better protect water quality-especially at the lot level and watershed scale.
(EPA publication 231-B-05-00) To comply with the Clean Water Act, over 6000 communities across the nation are developing municipal stormwater permitting programs (also known as Phases I & II). Many of these communities are also implementing programs that encourage development in existing communities, redevelopment of vacant properties, promote transportation options and facilitate efficient use of land and infrastructure. "Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best Management Practices" reviews nine common smart growth techniques and examines how they can be used to prevent or manage stormwater runoff. This publication will help communities encourage smart growth and meet the new regulatory requirements. [http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/stormwater.htm]
(EPA publication 230-R-06-001) This publication focuses on the relationship between development patterns, water use, and the cost of water delivery. It reviews literature that shows how large-lot, dispersed development patterns cost more to serve because of the length of pipe required, pumping costs, and other factors. The literature also shows that large-lot, dispersed development uses more water. "Growing Toward More Efficient Water Use" concludes with policy options for states, localities, and utilities that directly reduce the cost and demand for water, while indirectly promoting smart growth. These policies offer opportunities for more efficient water use at a time when many communities face water shortages. [http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/water_efficiency.htm]
(EPA publication 231-K-06-001) This report highlights proven approaches that balance parking with broader community goals. Current codes typically apply inflexible minimums that ignore community and developer priorities including environmental quality and human health. An oversupply of unnecessary parking wastes money and creates places that degrade water quality and encourage excess driving and air emissions. The highlighted solutions cover a range of supply management, demand management, and pricing strategies. Communities have found that combinations of parking pricing, shared parking, demand management, and other techniques have helped them create vibrant places while protecting environmental quality and still providing for necessary vehicle storage. http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/parking.htm
For FREE HARD COPIES of any of these publications, please send an e-mail to ncepimal@one.net or call (800) 490-9198.
Electronic versions of these publications are available at: www.epa.gov/smartgrowth
Membership in the Smart Growth Network is now free! Get resources, tools, success stories, and much more. To join, go to http://www.smartgrowth.org/sgn/join.asp.
Information Source:
Mary Kay (Santore) Bailey
U.S. EPA: Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation
Mail: 1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Mailcode 1807T, Washington DC 20460
Actual: 1301 Constitution Ave NW, Room 1408, Washington DC 20004
Tel 202-566-2859; Fax 566-2868; Email bailey.marykay@epa.gov
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Development, Community & Environment Division:
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth
A partner in the Smart Growth Network:
http://www.smartgrowth.org
