Good Streams Make Good Neighbors--Enhancing Stream and Floodplain Restoration Projects Through Property Acquisitions

Implementation of stream and floodplain restoration projects in highly urbanized areas present many challenges, including conflicts with existing infrastructure, involvement of multiple stakeholders and property owners, and extensive permitting requirements. However, these challenges are surmountable with thorough data collection, detailed understanding of existing conditions, and extensive property owner and stakeholder outreach. Sometimes the biggest hurdle to completing urban stream and floodplain restoration projects is having enough space to complete holistic, watershed-based projects that aim to reverse previous alterations to natural systems such as concrete lined channels, culverts, and flood control structures. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's (NEORSD's) Regional Stormwater Management Program (RSMP) aims to construct projects that minimize stream erosion, mitigate flood risks to buildings, roads, and utilizes, and protect and enhance water quality throughout the Regional Stormwater System (RSS). This paper provides an overview of the development of RSMP's property acquisition process and present case studies of how property acquisitions along the RSS have created opportunities to construct stream and floodplain restoration projects using more naturalized means and less hardened structures.