The field of Stormwater Management has progressed rapidly in recent years as the impact to water resources from land development activities has been realized. Only a short time ago, stormwater was managed in the most efficient way possible; water was drained off impervious surfaces by catch basins and pipes and discharged directly into waterways or into large scale flood control facilities. In recent times we have learned that this approach has severely degraded surface water resources by depleting groundwater, causing stream channel erosion, destroying habitat, and contaminating waterways with hydrocarbons, nutrients, and other pollutants. Watershed Consulting Associates is on the forefront of the movement to design development projects that work with the environment rather than against it. We specialize in designing Low Impact Development (LID) projects, which includes better site design and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize the impact to the landscape and preserves the natural hydrologic cycle, and ultimately provide a life cycle cost savings for the client. Watershed Consulting Associates has taken the lead on projects across the State of Vermont utilizing the most current computer modeling and geographic information systems software to successfully design and implement stormwater managements systems that are effective for protecting water quality, aesthetically pleasing, easy to maintain, and exceed client expectations. Specifically, we offer the following services related to the field of stormwater management:

Erosion Prevention-Sediment Control (EPSC) is a critical but often overlooked component of any successful construction project. Runoff from clearing, grading, and excavation activities can result in erosion and sediment mobilization offsite and into municipal stormwater systems or directly into a waterbody leading to destruction of habitat, erosion, and flooding. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are now required on most construction sites to mitigate erosion and sedimentation issues associated with construction. Watershed Consulting Associates understands that the most cost effective solution for a client is to design an effective EPSC strategy first, rather than pay for continuous failures or regulatory fines resulting from sediment-laden discharges, and that EPSC Plans are only effective if they can be interpreted by the contractor; the critical link in any land development project. We have extensive experience designing projects over range of site and environmental conditions to know the right BMP to keep your site in compliance, and water quality protected. Specifically, we offer the following services related to the field of Erosion Prevention Sediment Control:

• Construction Site BMP Design
• EPSC Permitting
• EPSC Plan Preparation
• Construction site inspection and monitoring

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has emerged as a critical tool for conducting stormwater investigations. Watershed Consulting Associates, LLC utilizes the most current GIS software available, ArcGIS 10, to support runoff modeling and analysis. GIS is also indispensable for mapping, analyzing, and managing stormwater infrastructure; a requirement for municipalities now facing MS4 permitting or other larger facilities with drainage infrastructure. Watershed Consulting Associates has extensive experience in mapping drainage infrastructure, stormwater outfalls, subwatersheds, impervious areas, and assembling data into a GIS database to be utilized for improved and more productive stormwater management, and to meet applicable regulatory requirements.

Stormwater Permitting has evolved tremendously, and regulatory requirements continue to expand and increase in complexity today. At one time, designing a site to match a target pre development peak discharge was sufficient to successfully secure a permit. Today's stormwater permitting requirements demand a more in depth site analysis and more sophisticated best management practice (BMP) design to ensure protection of groundwater, stormwater volume control, stormwater quality control, and mitigation of downstream flooding impacts. To manage runoff from construction activities, regulations now require that a comprehensive plan for erosion prevention sediment control is developed, including project phasing, BMP implementation, inspection, and runoff sampling. The jurisdictional stormwater umbrella has now expanded to also include most industrial sites, larger municipalities, and existing property owners within stormwater impaired watersheds. Watershed Consulting Associates has prepared hundreds of stormwater permit applications in the State of Vermont. We have an intimate knowledge of current regulations related to stormwater management and typically provide technical input during the development of new permitting requirements. Specifically, we offer compliance services related to the following permits currently issued by the State of Vermont: