Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons^™

Stormwater Quality Management In Rhode Island, Elizabeth A. Scott

Theses and Major Papers

This study documents the threat that uncontrolled "urban" stormwater runoff poses to surface water quality and the inadequacy of existing regulations governing land use development in preventing further water quality degradation resulting from "urban" runoff. The study applies recent research findings from the Nationwide Urban Runoff Program and the experience of other state regulatory programs in evaluating management alternatives and proposing a strategy for Rhode Island. The documented impacts of "urban" stormwater runoff on water quality, including excesses in criteria for copper, lead, and coliform, and eutrophication, support the need for stormwater quality management. This need is made more evident …