Rain gardens reduce storm-water runoff and capture and treat pollutants.

Urban development can be tough on lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Covering landscapes with impervious surfaces such as roofs and roadways dramatically changes how rain and melting snow leaves the land. Less water is able to soak into the soil and recharge groundwater and more water runs off, creating flooding and carrying pollutants into surface water.

We assist local government officials and design professionals learn how to reduce the environmental impacts of stormwater runoff from land development. Our workshops and materials show how to design, build, and live in our communities without sacrificing water quality. Innovative approaches covered include “Best Management Practices” that minimize the area covered by pavement and roofing and increase the ability of landscapes to soak up stormwater.

Print an Info Sheet (PDF)

	Feature
	Lake Home & Cabin Kit Every cabin needs this notebook of quick answers to common questions. Revised for the 2006 cabin season.

	Educational Offerings
	For information contact John Bilotta, Regional Extension Educator, 651-480-7708 or bilot002@umn.edu Land management - water quality workshops We offer customized workshops to meet your community's unique needs. Our training for local government officials provides information on: sources of urban stormwater pollution stormwater pollution prevention in new development and redevelopment
	Assessing stormwater management practices Many stormwater management practices are new and innovative, leaving many to question how well they really work. The University of Minnesota is researching the performance of these practices to provide information city staff and design professionals need in terms of effectiveness in removing pollutants, reliability, and long-term costs. See: Water Resources Center.
	Stormwater education materials for community outreach Extension Educators and regional stormwater educators have resources for cities, townships, counties, and watershed organizations at these websites: Minnesota Water—Let's Keep it Clean Metro WaterShed Partners Lake Superior Duluth Streams Duluth Area Regional Stormwater Protection Team, Contact Jesse Schomberg, jschombe@umn.edu

Contact Information

John Bilotta, Regional Extension Educator
Farmington Regional Center
4100 220th Street W
Farmington, MN 55024-8087
Email: bilot002@umn.edu
Phone: 651-480-7708
Fax: 651-480-7797

Shahram (Shane) Missaghi, Regional Extension Educator
Farmington Regional Center
4100 220th Street W
Farmington, MN 55024-8087
Email: miss0035@umn.edu
Phone: 651-480-7759
Fax: 651-480-7797