Urban Demonstration Sites:

The Urban Committee makes recommendations to the ERA steering committee about urban demonstration sites and the urban component of the cost-share program. We will also assist with field days at urban sites. Our demonstration sites and cost-share program will be geared toward promoting Low Impact Development practices such as rain gardens, rain barrels, pervious pavement, bioretention, and green roofs. These practices treat stormwater close to its source, allowing it to percolate into the ground, evaporate, or flow through cleansing vegetation and soils before it runs off into waterways. This reduces E. coli, sediment, and nutrient pollutants coming from urban runoff.

For our first demonstration site, we are working with the City of Elkhart to install a series of practices at the Elkhart Environmental Center including rain gardens, rain barrels, bioretention, and a vegetated swale. Look for an announcement of a field day in May or June of 2008!