Economic Incentives for Stormwater Control

Book excerpt: Dealing with stormwater runoff in urban areas is a problem that is getting bigger and more expensive. As we cover porous surfaces with impervious structures-commercial buildings, parking lots, roads, and houses-finding places for rainwater and snowmelt to soak in becomes harder. Addressing a huge knowledge gap from a policy perspective, this volume focuses on the economic tools available for stormwater runoff control. It addresses the true costs and benefits of stormwater management practices and examines the incentives that can be used to encourage their adoption. The book provides case studies demonstrating the application of various incentives, such as tradable allowances and fees with rebate. It also presents the theory behind the different mechanisms used and illustrates successes and potential obstacles to implementation. The contributors are primarily concerned with the sociodemographic and economic aspects of people's participation in stormwater runoff control.