Water Protection Activities in Washtenaw County

Most of the watershed management plans recommend using
best management practices (BMPs) to address threats to the
watershed health. Table 4 shows 29 commonly recommended
BMPs (Plans that recommend a particular strategy are
marked “”). More detailed watershed plan summaries and a
comprehensive list of BMP recommendations can be found in
Appendix B.
Table 4: BMP Examples
BMP Recommended For
County Wide Implementation
Phosphorus reduction ordinance
Native plant landscaping ordinance
Private roads ordinance
40
Plan #
BMP Description BMP Outcome 1 2 3 4 5 6 8
Regulate selection, use, storage and disposal
of fertilizers
Encourage use of plants adapted to this
geographic area
Allows for roads to be narrower than county
standards
Storm water management ordinance Regulations to guide property development
Local wetlands ordinance
Enhance site plan requirements
Reduce directly connected
impervious surface area
High powered street and paved area
sweeping
Improve protection of stream and
riparian habitats through alternative
drain practices
Initiate hydrologic study and
hydraulic study
Investigate opportunities for
recreation areas
Ordinance for wetlands not currently
regulated by state or federal authorities
Review floodplain, soil types, landmark
trees, groundwater recharge areas, etc.
Directing flows from roof drains and paved
areas to stabilized vegetated areas
A management measure that involves
pavement cleaning on a regular basis
Look for opportunities to correct old
drainage practices like tiled agricultural land
Comprehensive hydrology and hydraulic
study in the watershed
Increase opportunities for people to access
water resources
Reduction of nutrients entering watershed reducing
algal blooms and fish kills
Improved storm water infiltration , soil stabilization
and habitat
Reduction of impervious surface area minimizing
runoff to watershed
Protects watershed regarding water quality, quantity
and biological integrity
Protection of small and isolated wetlands
Assures environmental responsible development
Reduction in storm water peak discharges, runoff
volume and erosion
Reduction of sediment debris and pollutant export to
receiving waters
Restores hydrologic function
Understanding precipitation, infiltration, surface
runoff, flow rates and storage & better understanding
of velocity, flow depth, flood elevation, channel
erosion
Increase in number of persons interested in protection
of water resources