DLESE description of Center for Watershed Protection

The Center for Watershed Protection works with local, state, and federal governmental agencies, environmental consulting firms, watershed organizations, and the general public to provide objective and scientifically sound information on effective techniques to protect and restore urban watersheds. The Center also acts as a technical resource for local and state governments around the country to develop more effective urban storm water and watershed protection programs. The Center publishes a periodic journal entitled Watershed Protection Techniques, which provides reliable and accurate summaries of the latest tools for protecting watersheds across North America. This includes information on non-storm water discharges, erosion control, land conservation, and watershed stewardship. Users can access their page on Better Site Design, which provides a model of development principles to help protect lakes, streams and wetlands. They also provide model ordinances for communities who want to create effective ordinances that will guide future growth and attempt to safeguard local resources. This includes information on buffers, erosion/sediment control, open space, operation and maintenance, illicit discharges, and post-construction runoff.