Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship

Title: Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship

Discussion Group Leaders: Rob Wright and Vicki French

Main question: How to utilize Low Impact Development techniques (LID)

• “Storm-water retro-fits” before storm water requirements 1970

• By the bay: cooperation between pelican cove & their group

• Lots of people in terms of agreement --- > permanent v. transient (attendance)

• By Westfield Mall

• Main issue: Water, storm water runoff; excess runoff from inland

• Capture & use onsight
  • Eliminate reclaimed & well water sources (potable remains) = 960K + gallons in rainwater
  • Stormwater pond buffer zone: filtering vegetation (cleans, eco-friendly, aesthetic)
  • LID Stormwater Retrofit: filter socks, then ground or catches in side basins
  • Cisterns

• As opposed to well water
  • $$$$ - salt water intrusion; allow to replenish

• Incentives: in grants for cisterns (Home Owners Assoc.) “comm. buildings”

• Manatee County? Yes, in Sarasota Watershed. No, only for Sarasota County

• Also: Benefits, Encourage adoption, & Resources

• How to help non-home owning scenarios (e.g. Myakka Park) preservation

• Economics

• Social motivations/motivators

• Making sure flooding doesn’t occur

• Breaking down boundaries b/w govt & ind./Violating ind rights/Encourage the comm.

• Future:
  • Find funding/make communities aware that this is possible (Publicization)
    • How to sell: Dirt cheap, make the info available
  • Marketing to comm. managers about the economics

Passion and patience are key.