Trees As Green Infrastructure

Changes in land use and urban development affect watershed hydrology and tree canopy. Natural area protections, green stormwater infrastructure, and stream corridor enhancements help offset development impacts and protect local waterways. Elle Worrlein and Lindsey Obermiller, both with Clean Water Services (CWS), joined us to discuss urban stormwater management and vegetated corridor protections. CWS is our regional water resources management utility, working in partnership with 12 local cities to provide sanitary sewer and stormwater management in urban Washington County. CWS is responsible for implementing Design and Construction Standards, permitting development projects, and complying with a watershed-based water quality permit issued by the state. Elle and Lindsey both work in the Planning and Development Service Division at CWS. Lindsey is an environmental scientist with a focus on wetland science and ecology. Elle is a civil engineer with a focus on watershed management.