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2013 Spring | Policy & Regulation

Cleaning up Environmental Regulations to Help Clean up Stormwater

Student(s):

Alison Sienkiewicz

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Kristine Karlson

Partner(s):

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10

Faculty advisor(s):

Beth Bryant, School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington

My capstone experience analyzed how facilities were impacting water quality through stormwater pollution. I facilitated the design and implementation of a proposed enforcement initiative at U.S EPA Region 10 that sought to connect the causes of impairment of surface water bodies with the location of potentially regulated entities in the region. Because this project remains enforcement confidential, further details cannot yet be disclosed. In addition, I investigated potential weaknesses in stormwater permits that may be limiting their effectiveness. However, I also discovered several simple solutions that can easily be applied to streamline enforcement actions and help strengthen the permit’s success.