Author:
Bailey Schwenk
Co-Authors:
Robert F Smith
Institution:
Lycoming College
Abstract
The Clean Water Act regulates discharges of pollutants into streams and rivers, which includes point source discharges. This research aims to determine a framework for prioritizing best management practices (BMPs) and locations in urbanizing areas to fulfill the MS4 requirements. A list of criteria for BMP selection and placement was generated and GIS data consistent with the criteria were created to generate a spatial model identifying ideal BMP locations. Suitable locations for BMP’s are limited in river-towns such as Williamsport, PA. Working with local managers can improve models to help identify unintuitive locations for BMP locations, but overall prioritization systems are useful for MS4 regulated regions.