AN ABSTRACT OF THE FINAL REPORT OF Kristen M. Larson for the degree of Master of Environmental Sciences in the Professional Science Master’s Program presented on June 4, 2012. Title: Stormwater Solutions for Improving Water Quality: Supporting the Development of the Amazon Creek Initiative Internship conducted at: Long Tom Watershed Council 751 South Danebo Ave. Eugene, OR 97402 Supervisor: Jason Schmidt, Urban Watershed Restoration Specialist Dates of Internship: June 13, 2011 to November 22, 2011 Abstract approved: Dr. W. Todd Jarvis The Long Tom Watershed Council (LTWC) is a non-profit organization in Eugene, Oregon that serves to protect and enhance watershed health in the Long Tom River Basin. The Amazon Creek Initiative was launched by the LTWC in 2011 as Oregon’s newest Pesticide Stewardship Partner. Goals of the initiative are to improve water quality and habitat function in Amazon Creek by encouraging voluntary retrofits of low-impact development (LID) and through outreach and education of pollution prevention practices. This internship involved a series of projects in support of the development of the Amazon Creek Initiative. Accomplishments included surface water sampling, stakeholder research, development of communication tools, creation of an LID cost calculator, site visits and assessments of pesticide retailers, and a review of national efforts to train pesticide retail staff in integrated pest management. This work supports the Amazon Creek Initiative as it moves towards implementation and provided diverse learning opportunities in non-profit and watershed council operations, communicating a scientific message, and low-impact development solutions to stormwater management. ii Stormwater Solutions for Improving Water Quality: Supporting the Development of the Amazon Creek Initiative by Kristen M. Larson A FINAL REPORT submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Professional Science Master’s Presented June 4, 2012 Commencement June 17, 2012 iii Professional Science Master’s final report of Kristen M. Larson presented on June 4, 2012. APPROVED: Major Professor, representing Environmental Sciences I understand that my final report will become part of the permanent collection of the Oregon State University Professional Science Master’s Program. My signature below authorizes release of my final report to any reader upon request. Kristen M. Larson, Author iv Acknowledgements I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Todd Jarvis, for his support of my academic path, internship, and career goals and his faith in my abilities. Thank you to my committee members, Dr. Mary Santelmann and Dr. Gregg Walker for their support and input through this process as well. I am also indebted to Dana Dedrick, the Council Coordinator of the Long Tom Watershed Council for being open and receptive to my proposal for an internship with the launch of the Amazon Creek project and for her energy and dedication to the work of watershed councils. Jason Schmidt, my supervisor, also deserves great thanks for being so flexible and supportive of an intern he did not know he would have when he applied for his job. He shared his knowledge and experience and encouraged me to learn as much as I could throughout my internship. My PSM cohort was amazing and continues to be an excellent network, professionally, academically, and personally. My family has been incredibly supportive and a constant cheerleader, reality check, and sounding board. Finally, my husband has sacrificed, supported us, fed me, cheered me up, motivated me, given me perspective, and listened to all my thoughts, vents, rants, and brainstorms along the way. Thank you all. v Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... x List of Appendices .............................................................................................................. x List of Abbreviations ......................................................................................................... xi Scientific Report ................................................................................................................. 1 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Proposed internship and outcomes ........................................................................ 1 1.2 Report Outline ....................................................................................................... 2 2.0 Literature Review ...................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Stormwater as a Source of Pollution ..................................................................... 2 2.2 Public Awareness and Knowledge of the Issue ..................................................... 3 2.3 Outreach, Education, and Changing Behavior to Reduce Stormwater Impacts .... 6 2.3.1 Long Tom Watershed Council’s Intended Approach ..................................... 6 2.3.2 Awareness and Knowledge to Changing Behavior ........................................ 6 2.3.3 Results of Approaches .................................................................................... 8 2.3.4 Community-Based Social Marketing .............................................................. 9 2.4 Voluntary Retrofits of Low-Impact Development Best Management Practices ... 9 2.4.1 Stormwater Management and the Amazon Creek Initiative ........................... 9 2.4.2 Benefits of Low-Impact Development .......................................................... 10 2.4.3 Adoption of Low-Impact Development ........................................................ 12 3.0 Study Area ............................................................................................................... 14 3.1 Location ............................................................................................................... 14 3.2 Major Modifications ............................................................................................ 16 3.3 Average Precipitation .......................................................................................... 17 3.4 Land Use .............................................................................................................. 17 3.5 An Impaired Waterway ....................................................................................... 18 3.6 Why Amazon Creek ............................................................................................ 22 4.0 Non-profit / Watershed Council Operations ........................................................... 22 4.1 Diverse Responsibilities of Staff ......................................................................... 23 4.2 Council Structure – Board of Directors and Action Committee ......................... 23 4.3 Patience and Relative Time Frames .................................................................... 24 vi 4.4 Budgetary............................................................................................................. 26 5.0 Communicating the Message .................................................................................. 28 5.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 28 5.2 Database Development ........................................................................................ 28 5.3 Certification Schemes .......................................................................................... 29 5.4 Lessons from this Work ....................................................................................... 30 5.5 Developing Outreach Materials ........................................................................... 30 5.5.1 Lessons on Crafting the Content ................................................................... 31 6.0 Technical Work and Experience ............................................................................. 33 6.1 Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Water Sampling Protocol.......... 33 6.1.1 Sampling Locations ...................................................................................... 33 6.1.2 Methods and Materials .................................................................................. 35 6.1.3 Results ........................................................................................................... 36 6.1.4 Discussion ..................................................................................................... 36 6.1.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................... 36 6.2 Assessment of Pesticide Retailers in the Amazon Creek Basin .......................... 37 6.2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 37 6.2.2 Methods and Materials .................................................................................