Letter to Oshkosh Common Council members regarding the Melvin Avenue watershed
[Following is a letter we have received from Justin Mitchell that was sent to the Oshkosh Common Council members in advance of their consideration this evening of the Melvin Avenue Watershed storm water management practices and the proposed pump station in the area. It is published here on his behalf.]
To: Oshkosh Common Council Members
From: Justin Mitchell, 652 Monroe Street, Oshkosh
Concerning: Melvin Avenue Watershed Storm Water Management Practices
I apologize for not being able to be present in person at your meeting tonight, as I have UW Oshkosh class commitments the evening of Tuesday, February 23. Please accept this written statement in place of my public comments:
I believe the Melvin Avenue pump station proposal should not be approved. However, I recognize this body’s past support of the project, as well as the hesitant approval of the Plan commission, and I understand the desire to eliminate flooding in the homes of area.
I am therefore writing to encourage you to substantially improve this project through incorporating the water quality measures identified below while using the language of the city’s comprehensive plan as the guide for direction and action concerning this matter.
1. The current plan fails to acknowledge water pollution caused by storm water runoff. According to the Comprehensive Plan (pg 139): “The ultimate goal of storm water management and of the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program is to prevent the transportation of pollutants to water resources via storm water.”
a. According the US EPA, approximately 70% of all water pollution occurs as a result of storm water runoff.
b. Pollutants identified on the UW Oshkosh Storm Water Pollution Prevention website include: motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, pet waste, paint, household chemicals, trash, and construction debris.
2. This project is without question related to water quality. City staff suggested to the Plan Commission that this isn’t a water quality issue because the water currently runs into the lake and the pump will do the same only bypassing basements. According to the Comprehensive Plan (pg 139): “Storm water management has not only a role in the city’s infrastructure system, but also a role in the protection of our natural resources.”
3. This project needs to incorporate principals that improve water quality. According to the Comprehensive Plan (pg 161): The city will develop facilities and systems that implement “stormwater management techniques that address improving water quality and lessening the quantity of runoff.”
4. The city has committed to improving water quality. Comprehensive Plan goals on page 182 indicate that the city will participate in local Water Quality initiatives, while goals on page 183 state that the city will monitor the water quality of the lake “and implement recommendations to improve the quality of the water.”
5. The city has agreed to implement alternative water quality measures, including addressing the following (Comprehensive Plan pg 161, 182, 183): Water conservation, Impervious surfaces, Non-point source pollution, Tree retention and replacement, and revise ordinances to address alternative methods to storm water management
After assessing the project, listening to staff presentations and feedback, and consulting with DNR and USGS storm water officials, I am suggesting the following provisions be incorporated into this plan for the Melvin Avenue Watershed:
A. Reduced street sizes with increased terraces. This reduces impervious surfaces. The expanded terrace space can absorb approximately ½ inch depth of rainwater per hour – more if the soil is reconstructed to improve drainage or if trees are present. A 1-foot by 1-foot plot could threefold infiltrate 72 inches of water in an hour (considering the ½ inch per hour average).
B. Require terrace trees throughout watershed. UW Extension research has demonstrated that every 5% increase in tree canopy reduces storm water flow by at least 2%. This number increases if the canopy is covering an impervious surface. According to the US Forest Service:
“Trees reduce water runoff and flooding by capturing and storing rainfall in the canopy and releasing water into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. In addition, tree roots and leaf litter create soil conditions that promote the infiltration of rainwater into the soil. The presence of trees also helps to slow down and temporarily store runoff, which further promotes infiltration, and decreases flooding and erosion downstream. Trees reduce pollutants by taking up nutrients and other pollutants from soils and water through their roots, and by transforming pollutants into less harmful substances.”
C. Implement a Rain Barrel Rebate program for all buildings in this watershed. Rain barrels can store 50-100 gallons of water. If in one storm, just 100 homes in this area used two rain barrels each storing an average of 75 gallons, this would reduce 15000 gallons of storm water flow. Rain Barrels are becoming a regular water management tool in communities through Wisconsin and the midwest, and can be incorporated into storm water utility cost structures.
D. Implement a Rain Gardens program that provides rebates on native rain garden plants as well as technical support on creating and managing rain gardens. According to UW Extension, effectively designed rain gardens can improve water infiltration by up to 35% while removing pollutants and improving water quality.
By implementing these water quality improvement provisions, you as the Oshkosh Common Council can reduce water flow through the pump by potentially as much as 30% - even more as the trees mature. This leadership would also advance the goals of the comprehensive plan, while helping Oshkosh become sustainable water stewards.
Thank you for your time,
Justin Mitchell
652 Monroe Street
To: Oshkosh Common Council Members
From: Justin Mitchell, 652 Monroe Street, Oshkosh
Concerning: Melvin Avenue Watershed Storm Water Management Practices
I apologize for not being able to be present in person at your meeting tonight, as I have UW Oshkosh class commitments the evening of Tuesday, February 23. Please accept this written statement in place of my public comments:
I believe the Melvin Avenue pump station proposal should not be approved. However, I recognize this body’s past support of the project, as well as the hesitant approval of the Plan commission, and I understand the desire to eliminate flooding in the homes of area.
I am therefore writing to encourage you to substantially improve this project through incorporating the water quality measures identified below while using the language of the city’s comprehensive plan as the guide for direction and action concerning this matter.
1. The current plan fails to acknowledge water pollution caused by storm water runoff. According to the Comprehensive Plan (pg 139): “The ultimate goal of storm water management and of the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program is to prevent the transportation of pollutants to water resources via storm water.”
a. According the US EPA, approximately 70% of all water pollution occurs as a result of storm water runoff.
b. Pollutants identified on the UW Oshkosh Storm Water Pollution Prevention website include: motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, pet waste, paint, household chemicals, trash, and construction debris.
2. This project is without question related to water quality. City staff suggested to the Plan Commission that this isn’t a water quality issue because the water currently runs into the lake and the pump will do the same only bypassing basements. According to the Comprehensive Plan (pg 139): “Storm water management has not only a role in the city’s infrastructure system, but also a role in the protection of our natural resources.”
3. This project needs to incorporate principals that improve water quality. According to the Comprehensive Plan (pg 161): The city will develop facilities and systems that implement “stormwater management techniques that address improving water quality and lessening the quantity of runoff.”
4. The city has committed to improving water quality. Comprehensive Plan goals on page 182 indicate that the city will participate in local Water Quality initiatives, while goals on page 183 state that the city will monitor the water quality of the lake “and implement recommendations to improve the quality of the water.”
5. The city has agreed to implement alternative water quality measures, including addressing the following (Comprehensive Plan pg 161, 182, 183): Water conservation, Impervious surfaces, Non-point source pollution, Tree retention and replacement, and revise ordinances to address alternative methods to storm water management
After assessing the project, listening to staff presentations and feedback, and consulting with DNR and USGS storm water officials, I am suggesting the following provisions be incorporated into this plan for the Melvin Avenue Watershed:
A. Reduced street sizes with increased terraces. This reduces impervious surfaces. The expanded terrace space can absorb approximately ½ inch depth of rainwater per hour – more if the soil is reconstructed to improve drainage or if trees are present. A 1-foot by 1-foot plot could threefold infiltrate 72 inches of water in an hour (considering the ½ inch per hour average).
B. Require terrace trees throughout watershed. UW Extension research has demonstrated that every 5% increase in tree canopy reduces storm water flow by at least 2%. This number increases if the canopy is covering an impervious surface. According to the US Forest Service:
“Trees reduce water runoff and flooding by capturing and storing rainfall in the canopy and releasing water into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. In addition, tree roots and leaf litter create soil conditions that promote the infiltration of rainwater into the soil. The presence of trees also helps to slow down and temporarily store runoff, which further promotes infiltration, and decreases flooding and erosion downstream. Trees reduce pollutants by taking up nutrients and other pollutants from soils and water through their roots, and by transforming pollutants into less harmful substances.”
C. Implement a Rain Barrel Rebate program for all buildings in this watershed. Rain barrels can store 50-100 gallons of water. If in one storm, just 100 homes in this area used two rain barrels each storing an average of 75 gallons, this would reduce 15000 gallons of storm water flow. Rain Barrels are becoming a regular water management tool in communities through Wisconsin and the midwest, and can be incorporated into storm water utility cost structures.
D. Implement a Rain Gardens program that provides rebates on native rain garden plants as well as technical support on creating and managing rain gardens. According to UW Extension, effectively designed rain gardens can improve water infiltration by up to 35% while removing pollutants and improving water quality.
By implementing these water quality improvement provisions, you as the Oshkosh Common Council can reduce water flow through the pump by potentially as much as 30% - even more as the trees mature. This leadership would also advance the goals of the comprehensive plan, while helping Oshkosh become sustainable water stewards.
Thank you for your time,
Justin Mitchell
652 Monroe Street
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 4:13 PM
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