State & National Studies, Research and Manuals
FLORIDA
DEP (2015). Florida Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries. 68 pp. A DEP Manual focusing on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the professional knowledge and judgment of turfgrass and landscape workers, covering both the establishment of new turf and landscapes and the care of existing turf and landscapes. This includes construction activities, installation, mulching, pruning, irrigation, nutrient management, and pest management in order to reduce pollution and conserve water.
Sarasota County (2015). Low-Impact Development Guidance Document Manual. 143 pp. A local government manual providing technical guidance and design specifications on Low-Impact Development (LID) stormwater management practices at the project level.
SFWMD (2003). WATERWISE: Using the Principles of Xeriscaping. 51 pp. Xeriscape manual for the area covered by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) addressing the Seven Steps of Xeriscaping and the specific plants that can be used in specific landscaping situations to meet xeriscaping goals.
The webpages address the use of low-maintenance plants and environmentally practices in landscaping including tutorials, the use of 9 Florida Friendly practices; specific plant species regional guides; Green Industry Best Management Practices (BMP) and Low-Impact Development (LID) resources & video.
WilsonMiller (July, 2006). Relationship of Land Use Density to Cost and Water and Wastewater. 13pp.
A SW Florida consultant study on the relationship between zoning density and the per unit cost of water and wastewater utilities for new developments of varying densities (e.g. 1 du/acre vs. 4 du/acre) and higher density mixed multi-family (up to 9.5 du/acre) versus single-family projects.
NATIONAL
Environmental Protection Agency (February, 2012). Planning for Sustainability: A Handbook for Water and Wastewater Utilities. EPA-832-R-12-001. 69pp.EPA Handbook addressing steps that utilities can undertake in their planning to ensure that water infrastructure investments are cost-effective over their life-cycle, resource efficient, and support other community goals. Numerous links to other useful materials
APA TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS: PAS REPORTS, MEMOs & QUICK NOTES;
(NOTE: these are now available to all APA members upon logging in online)
Floodplain Management (PAS QuickNotes 46) Summary: The article briefly describes the approach a community can take to move beyond the minimum development standards of the National Flood Insurance Program and enact a truly comprehensive floodplain management strategy.
Green Infrastructure (PAS 571) Summary: The report shows how green infrastructure cleans the air and water, replenishes aquifers, reduces flooding, and moderates the climate. And the benefits go beyond improving the environment. Green infrastructure also promotes healthy exercise and access to more locally grown food. It makes communities safer and even helps reduce crime. It also boosts the economy as it attracts business, raises property values, and lowers energy and healthcare costs. The authors, both practicing professionals in planning and design, present six principles for successful green infrastructure projects. Detailed case studies describe these principles at work from north Texas to southeastern Philadelphia to suburban Kansas. Planners, urban designers, and landscape architects will find proven ideas for making their regions, cities, and neighborhoods more resilient and sustainable.
Integrated Urban Water Management for Planners (PAS Memo) Summary: The article explores the challenges and opportunities of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) and presents the need for cooperation and leadership among urban planners and water service personnel using IUWM to move toward more water-resilient and sustainable communities.
Low Impact Development (PAS Memo) Summary: The article provides background on the development of Low Impact Development (LID); an overview of the four areas of emphasis: stormwater management, wastewater management, circulation design, and site design; examples of communities that have adopted LID principles; and some of the issues to address when incorporating LID into practice.
Planning Issues for On-site and Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (PAS 542) Summary: The report explains how planners can address wastewater treatment to help their communities meet goals for growth and protect drinking water and other natural resources. The authors, a planning director who has helped design more than 2,000 wastewater systems and a professor of plant and soil sciences, present a balanced, insightful, and technically rigorous explanation of how these systems need to be sited, designed, and managed.
Regulating Green: Is Your Municipality Promoting Green Infrastructure? (Zoning Practice). Summary: The article uses case studies of Atlanta and Philadelphia to illustrate how planning, policy, and regulation can be used to promote green infrastructure at the local level.
The Effectiveness of Green Infrastructure for Urban Stormwater Management (PAS Memo). Summary: The article explores the effectiveness and some of the economic implications of many common green infrastructure practices that are used to manage the water quality and flood risks associated with urban stormwater runoff. Many of its insights and findings arose in a study undertaken for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 by a research team from the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program at the University of Illinois and Purdue University. This study, the Illinois Green Infrastructure Study, examined the best practices for green infrastructure in the United States and the effectiveness of these practices when compared with conventional stormwater management approaches, making its findings relevant to a national planning audience.
Water Conservation Strategies (PAS QuickNotes 63). Summary: The article briefly highlights a number of strategies communities can use to curb wasteful water consumption.
Water-Smart Development Regulations (Zoning Practice). Summary: The article explores how communities can better address the use of water through local regulations. It briefly explores how water use can be influenced by pricing and then looks at the range of regulations, particularly in the areas of lot design and landscaping, available at the local level to encourage and require water conservation.