Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.57
Liaison Jeff Spoelstra
Submission Date July 22, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Western Michigan University
IN-1: Innovation 1

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Jeff Spoelstra
Sustainability Coordinator
Office for Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Stormwater

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A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome :
Earning over $2M of Federal and State competitive grants, WMU has gone above and beyond existing regulations in order to manage stormwater on campus, and its ultimate goal is to be stormwater neutral. Across campus, WMU has incorporated both retention and detention basins into the campus landscape providing retention basins for over 432 acres comprising 53.6% of campus as of 2012. These basins collect and retain water during periods of heavy precipitation and release it over time thereby reducing erratic flows, flooding, erosion, and generally improving the sustainability of our community and landscapes (on- and off-campus). Some of these basins are above ground and easily located, while others are below ground such as the massive infiltration basin beneath the Sangren Hall parking lot. WMU also showcases its dedication to proper management by partnering with other community stakeholders on stormwater programs within the Kalamazoo River watershed. As a state-permitted storm water entity, WMU falls within the nonpoint source load allocation of a phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) developed for the Kalamazoo River and Lake Allegan. To achieve the TMDL goal, loads were targeted in 2001 for a 43% reduction from April-June and 50% reduction from July-September. A TMDL compliance plan documents that WMU has implemented best management practices (BMPs) and achieved total phosphorus (TP) load reductions sufficient to meet TMDL Load Allocation compliance goals. The plan also provides a ‘road map’ relative to implementation of on-campus and off-campus stormwater BMPs to move WMU into a position of becoming ‘Stormwater Neutral TM’.

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A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
Recent outcomes include: -1998 baseline TP load = 764 lbs/yr -13 BMP projects installed since 1998 -53% of WMU campus is presently treated -WMU cumulative TP reduction of 521.3 lbs/yr -68.2% reduction of 1998 baseline load -First Kalamazoo River Watershed permittee to achieve TMDL 50% reduction goal for total phosphorus

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A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Innovation - Stormwater - K&A letter of support 062514.pdf

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Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of 5):
Yes or No
Curriculum ---
Research ---
Campus Engagement ---
Public Engagement ---
Air & Climate ---
Buildings ---
Dining Services ---
Energy ---
Grounds Yes
Purchasing ---
Transportation ---
Waste ---
Water ---
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work ---
Investment ---

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Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
Surface water quality, groundwater protection

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The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
http://esem.wmich.edu/waterweb.htm

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
See also: WMU Landscape Services: http://www.fm.wmich.edu/lss/

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