Stormwater Management Discussion

Rain gardens are one of the tools for managing urban run-off.

While concern about fish and wildlife habitat most often focuses on upriver and rural areas, and on conditions in the ocean, cities and towns play an important role in the health of aquatic systems as well.  “Integrated Stormwater Management” may not sound very “natural,” but it is important to natural habitat.  This will be the topic that Mike Broili will address at the next meeting of the MidCoast Watersheds Council, Thursday, May 2, 6:30 p.m. in Room 205 of the Newport Visual Arts Center (777 N.W. Beach Dr.).  The event is free and open to all.

Broili moved from the Seattle area to South Beach just over two years ago, after retiring from his own environmental consulting and design firm, Living Systems Design, where he focused on low impact, sustainable building and stormwater management in Shoreline, Washington. He grew up in a fishing and logging family in Port Orford and worked in the fishing industry in Alaska. While in Shoreline, he also founded and served as the Chair of the Board of the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Foundation; and on the City of Shoreline’s Parks Board, Bond Advisory Committee, Arts Jury, and Planning Commission. He is a Washington Native Plant Steward, a King County Forest Adviser, a certified Sustainable Building Advisor, and a Compost Facility Operator.

Broili will discuss what actions can be taken to coexist with fish and wildlife in our towns and cities and maintain healthy streams where we live as more development occurs. There is great need to be mindful of the quality and quantity of water run-off in our communities, and how development changes these conditions. Broili will present on the importance of—and the techniques and tools used in—restoring site hydrology in the built environment.  

Refreshments will be provided. A MidCoast Watersheds Council Board meeting will follow the presentation with the following agenda: financial report, restoration report, technical team report, administrative committee report, and action items.

For more information, contact Ari Blatt, (541) 265-9195, ari@midcoastwc.org.