The management of stormwater can help mitigate flooding, protect and improve water quality, and help make cities more resilient in the face of climate change. Moreover, effective, nature-based stormwater capture efforts using green infrastructure delivers environmental, social, and economic benefits to a community. The importance and effects of stormwater management can not be overstated. Each positive contribution to dealing with the issue means a step forward in building a healthier community, county, and world.
In it’s recent Stormwater Capture in California Report, the Pacific Institute applauded San Mateo County’s unique collaboration efforts as well as its innovative and pragmatic funding approach as they tackle the issues of stormwater capture and pollution prevention.
20 Cities. One County. A Team Effort.
The San Mateo Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP and also know as Flows To Bay) is a partnership of the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG). Established in 1990, SWCWPPP’s primary goal is to reduce the pollution carried by stormwater into local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. As Maryann Moise Derwin, C/CAG Chair put it, “Managing stormwater, both to reduce pollution and the amount of runoff, is a serious issue facing San Mateo County. Not only is it affecting water quality at our beaches, it causes flooding and erosion of coastal areas. We need to manage stormwater as a resource, not a waste, and proactively act as stewards of our naturally beautiful communities in San Mateo County.”
C/CAG already developed a countywide stormwater resource plan and recently received a Caltrans grant to create a Sustainable Streets Master Plan. The master plan aims to prioritize roadways in the county that are prime locations for integrating green infrastructure with other community priorities and planned investments, such as bicycle and pedestrian improvements, pavement maintenance, and utility upgrades. C/CAG also awarded $2.1 million to 10 municipalities for integrating green infrastructure with Safe Routes to Schools improvements. This funding to enhance the safety of intersections and road crossings near schools, while also protecting local waterways from a range of pollutants, came from a voter-aproved local vehicle license fee known as Measure M. This integrated approach addresses transportation and its impact on water quality and supports the cities, towns, and the county in creating local green infrastructure plans to address long-term stormwater issues.
