A Strategic Approach to Planning for and Assessing the Effectiveness of Stormwater Programs
The Municipal Stormwater Program Effectiveness Assessment Guidance document is an evolving document. As municipalities complete annual program assessments, additional data will become available that will assist in verifying links between program-wide best management practices implementation, pollutant load reduction, and eventual receiving water quality improvements.
Complete Guidance Document (Jun 2015)
Cover | Table of Contents | Acknowledgements | Executive Summary
Section 1: Introduction and Purpose
1.1 Background
1.2 Purpose
1.3 Organization
Section 2: Stormwater Management Approach
2.1 Background
2.2 Primary Components
2.3 Introduction to Outcomes
Source and Impact Component
Outcome Level 6: Receiving Water Conditions
Outcome Level 5: MS4 Contributions
Outcome Level 4: Source Conditions
Target Audience Component
Outcome Level 3: Target Audience Actions
Outcome Level 2: Barriers & Bridges to Action
Stormwater Management Program Component
Outcome Level 1: Stormwater Program Activities
Section 3: Introduction to Strategic Planning for Stormwater Management Programs
3.1 Background
3.2 Planning Preparation (Stage 1)
3.3 Strategic Planning (Stage 2)
Step A: Characterizing Problems
Task 1: Evaluating Existing Conditions
Task 2: Defining Problem Conditions
Task 3: Prioritizing Problem Conditions
Step B: Targeting Outcomes
Task 1: Identifying End‐State Targets
Task 2: Establishing Interim Targets
Task 3: Identifying Data Requirements
Step C: Documenting Knowledge and Data Gaps
3.4 Stormwater Strategic Plan Completion (Stage 3)
Section 4: Source and Impact Strategies
4.1 Background
4.2 Outcome Level 6: Receiving Water Conditions
Step 6‐A: Receiving Water Characterization
Task 1: Evaluating Receiving Water Conditions
Task 2: Defining Receiving Water Problems
Task 3: Prioritizing Receiving Water Problems
Step 6‐B: Targeted Receiving Water Changes
Task 1: Identifying End‐State Targets
Task 2: Establishing Interim Targets
Task 3: Identifying Data Requirements
Step 6‐C: Documenting Knowledge and Data Gaps
4.3 Outcome Level 5: MS4 Conditions
Step 5‐A: MS4 Characterization
Task 1: Evaluating MS4 Conditions
Task 2: Defining MS4 Problems
Task 3: Prioritizing MS4 Problems
Step 5‐B: Targeted Changes to Urban Runoff and MS4 Contributions
Task 1: Identifying End‐State MS4 Targets
Task 2: Establishing Interim MS4 Targets
Task 3: Identifying Data Requirements
Step 5‐C: Documenting Knowledge and Data Gaps
4.4 Outcome Level 4: Drainage Area and Source Contributions
Step 4‐A: Source Characterization
Task 1: Evaluating Drainage Area and Source Contributions
Task 2: Defining Problem Drainage Areas and Sources
Task 3: Prioritizing Drainage Area and Source Problems
Step 4‐B: Targeted Changes to Source Contributions
Task 1: Identifying End‐State Targets
Task 2: Establishing Interim Targets
Task 3: Identifying Data Requirements
Step 4‐C: Documenting Knowledge and Data Gaps
Section 5: Target Audience Strategies
5.1 Background
5.2 Outcome Level 3: Target Audience Actions
Step 3‐A: Target Audience Characterization
Task 1: Evaluating Target Audiences
Task 2: Defining Behavioral Problems
Task 3: Prioritizing Behavioral Problems
Step 3‐B: Targeted Behavioral Changes
Task 1: Identifying End‐State Behavioral Targets
Task 2: Establishing Interim Behavioral Targets
Task 3: Identifying Data Requirements
Step 3‐C: Documenting Knowledge and Data Gaps
5.3 Outcome Level 2: Barriers and Bridges to Action
Step 2‐A: Characterization of Barriers and Bridges
Task 1: Identifying Influencing Factors
Task 2: Defining Barriers
Task 3: Prioritizing Barriers
Step 2‐B: Targeted Changes to Barriers and Bridges
Task 1: Identifying End‐State Targets for Change
Task 2: Establishing Interim Targets for Influencing Factors
Task 3: Identifying data requirements
Step 2‐C: Documenting Knowledge and Data Gaps
Section 6: Program Implementation Strategies
6.1 Background
6.2 Step 1‐A: Program Implementation Activities
6.3 Step 1‐B: Data Collection and Analysis Activities
6.4 Sustainability Considerations
6.5 Step 1‐C: Documenting Knowledge and Data Gaps
Section 7: Assessment Tools and Strategies
7.1 Background
7.2 Iterative and Adaptive Management
7.3 Assessment Objectives
7.3.1 Program Planning Evaluation and Refinement
7.3.2 Evaluation of Success
7.3.3 Evaluation and Resolution of Knowledge and Data Gaps
7.4 Data Collection
7.5 Data Analysis
7.6 Relationships Between Outcomes
Section 8: Interpretation and Use of Results
8.1 Background
8.2 Program Modifications
8.3 Example Program Effectiveness Assessment Analyses
8.4 Source and Impact Component
8.5 Target Audience Component
8.6 Stormwater Management Program Component
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