Urban Filter Strips and Stream Buffer Upgrades BMP Expert Panel Report

Description

The Urban Stormwater Workgroup convened an Expert Panel to define and develop nutrient and sediment load reductions recommendations using urban filter strips and stream buffer upgrade as new best management practices (BMPs) to be adopted by the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP). Urban filter strips and stream buffer upgrade BMP(s) are not currently defined by the CBP as a BMP available for credit towards Watershed Implementation Plans. The Expert Panel provided representation from the Bay jurisdictions, scientists, stormwater practitioners to review and evaluate the scientific literature and other data sources, review the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model assumptions to simulate the impact of grass and forested filter strips and buffers and make recommendations to quantify and qualify these BMPs as well as information to verify their performance after implementation. Recommendations from the Expert Panel are outlined in this report. Note: the expert panel did not address or provide recommendations for the existing urban forest buffer BMP.