This course provides stormwater managers, professionals, and local government staff with an overview of stormwater best management practices in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. After beginning with an introduction to the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and MS4 permits, the course introduces participants to a range of BMPs available to help communities meet the goals and requirements of these two regulatory drivers.

This is an introductory course designed to provide floodplain managers, stormwater professionals, local leaders and their staff with an overview of Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID). From defining basic concepts to describing specific applications and practical strategies for implementation, this course will help interested professionals understand how Green Infrastructure and LID can benefit their communities by contributing to flood management strategies and natural resilience, promoting clean water and environmental quality, and enhancing livability.

This course provides an overview of erosion principles, sediment control practices, & stormwater management requirements during construction throughout the Chesapeake Bay. This course is for anyone who wants to understand the principles and practices needed to keep polluted stormwater from leaving construction sites. Individuals responsible for demonstrating compliance with an Erosion Sediment Control plan or the conditions of a Construction General Permit will find the material a useful starting place.

This introductory course discusses how to build an effective stormwater management program in your community along with innovative ideas to identify untapped opportunities. The framework presented can be readily shaped to fit local conditions. Use it to develop cost effective programs that are supportive of, and adaptive to, evolving community resources and needs.

Though effectively managing urban stormwater runoff requires leadership and bold decision-making at all levels of government, it is at the local level where the most significant and substantive stormwater investments are made.  It is also at the local level where the most innovative, effective, and transformative financing programs are developed and implemented.

A one-page flowchart created by the Chesapeake Stormwater Network showing the process for BMP inspections.

A key component of sustainable stormwater management is ensuring that practices claimed for pollutant reduction credit actually exist, are working as intended, and are maintained properly. Without sufficient inspection and maintenance procedures, practices may suffer from reduced water quality function and lose other community benefits.  This webpage from the Chesapeake Stormwater Network contains resources on BMP inspection and maintenance including recommended guidance documents and six webcasts.