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Erik Fisher, AICP
Reducing Urban Pollution
Talbot County Clean Water Forum
April 9, 2015
Pollution sources in
Talbot County
952,000Agriculture
85,000Septic Systems
186,000Polluted Runoff
75,000Wastewater
Pounds of nitrogen per year
952,000Agriculture
85,000Septic Systems
186,000Polluted Runoff
75,000Wastewater
Pounds of nitrogen per year
952,000Agriculture
85,000Septic Systems
186,000Polluted Runoff
75,000Wastewater
Pounds of nitrogen per year
Talbot County’s plan for clean water:
1. Numeric goals for pollution reduction
2. Strategies to achieve those goals
Projected cleanup costs
in Talbot County
$0
$200,000,000
$400,000,000
$600,000,000
$800,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$1,200,000,000
Original plan County plan Polluted runoff
“unrealistic…”
“…absurd”
?
Projected cleanup costs
in Talbot County
$0
$200,000,000
$400,000,000
$600,000,000
$800,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$1,200,000,000
Original plan County plan Polluted runoff
Why?
• Automated
• Metro area cost
assumptions &
constraints
• No prioritization
$0
$200,000,000
$400,000,000
$600,000,000
$800,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$1,200,000,000
Original plan County plan Polluted runoff
Projected cleanup costs
in Talbot County
Projected cleanup costs
in Talbot County
$0
$200,000,000
$400,000,000
$600,000,000
$800,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$1,200,000,000
Original plan County plan Polluted runoff
“…cost effective”
“practical…”
!
Projected cleanup costs
in Talbot County
$0
$200,000,000
$400,000,000
$600,000,000
$800,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$1,200,000,000
Original plan County plan Polluted runoff
How?
• Local opportunities
• Partnerships
• Cutting-edge information
Talbot County’s plan for clean water:
1. Numeric goals for pollution reduction
2. Strategies to achieve those goals
Talbot County has identified milestones:
stepwise commitments to take action.
Explore the efficacy of
better roadside ditch
management.
Talbot’s Milestones for
Polluted Runoff
Ditch restoration techniques
Ditch restoration techniques
Ditch restoration techniques
Project partners
Explore the efficacy of
better roadside ditch
management.
Inventory potential
project sites.
Site inventory & prioritization
Inventory potential
project sites.
Action at the top 150 ditch restoration sites
can reduce 8,000 pounds of nitrogen
at 10% of the cost of other urban practices.
Develop sustainable
funding.
X
Project design
Dedicated funding is needed now
Matching $ for construction
Dedicated funding is needed now
Eligibility for state $
Dedicated funding is needed now
The County Council is considering a proposal for
dedicated funding:
– Low interest loan from the U.S. Rural
Development Agency
– Would fund the top 150 ditch sites
– Approximately $150,000 / yr
– Achieve est. 17% of the County’s total goal
Inaction means risk.
• Outside money left on the table
• “Backstop” actions and regulatory consequences
• Increasing costs
Action means clean water, and a
stronger economy.
