Indiana's increasing population and expanding economy are placing unprecedented pressure on its land. Urban sprawl, particularly the paving of large segments of the landscape, can have significant and usually negative impacts on water resources.
Although growth and land use change may be inevitable in many communities, the way in which growth takes place affects its impact on water quality. With careful planning and a commitment to protect streams, rivers, and ground water, land use practices can be implemented that balance the need for jobs and economic development with protection of the natural environment. Development that takes place without such considerations, however, can lead to significant degradation of streams and ground water, and loss of aquatic life.
Purdue Extension provides education and tools to help local land use planners consider the impacts of their decisions on water quality.
Planning With POWER (Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources) The Planning with POWER project is a statewide educational program that links land use planning with watershed planning at the local level. The project is designed to empower communities to prevent and solve natural resource problems resulting from changing land use in growing watersheds and to empower local officials to incorporate watershed protection measures into comprehensive land use plans. Contact Bob McCormick for more information. (765-494-3627)
The Impacts of Land Use Change on Water Resources Web resource provides Web-based computer models that can be used to determine short or long-term impacts of urbanization and other land use change. Information is also available for interpreting model results. Contact Bernie Engel for more information.
The Purdue Land Use Team is an award-winning group of Purdue Extension Educators and Specialists who plan and conduct training for Plan Commission Members and others. Contact Christine Nolan for more information.
Publications:
Planning with POWER (Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources) series:
- Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources (ID-255)
html / pdf - Nonpoint Source Pollution: A Threat to Our Waters (ID-256)
html / pdf - Impacts of Development on Waterways (ID-257) html / pdf
- Strategies for Coping with Runoff (ID-258) html / pdf
- How to Get Started: Protecting Your Community from Polluted Runoff (ID-259) html / pdf
| Updated August 23, 2005 | |
| Purdue Extension | |
For questions regarding the content of this site contact Brent Ladd. For information on the Purdue Extension Water Quality Program contact Jane Frankenberger, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University |
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| EEO Statement | |
