A SURVEY TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS PREVENTING STORMWATER RETENTION POND VEGETATED BUFFER IMPLEMENTATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA
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Cannon, Sean
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Abstract
Buffer zones are constructed ecotones between upland areas that generate stormwater runoff and adjacent receiving water bodies. They often consist of plant communities that stabilize shorelines, serve as barriers reducing transport of fertilizer and lawn debris into water bodies, uptake nutrients and heavy metals, and provide habitat for wildlife. There are limited regulations requiring vegetated buffers around stormwater ponds, and widespread implementation of vegetated buffers has not occurred in coastal South Carolina. This has reduced the potential effectiveness of stormwater retention ponds and highlights the need to identify barriers preventing residents from implementing vegetated buffers. To investigate the barriers preventing the installation or support for stormwater buffer zones in coastal communities, an electronic survey was sent by e-mail through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium listserv. Of the 646 respondents, 382 met the study criteria and identified owning a property with a pond or living in a neighborhood with one. Respondents were asked questions to determine their knowledge and perceptions of vegetated buffers, as well as their level of communication with landscaping professionals. Results from this research indicate that residents are aware of the benefits vegetated buffer zones provide and prefer ponds with buffer zones over ponds with no buffer zones. This study reveals the following potential barriers preventing stormwater pond vegetated buffer zones: 1) limited knowledge of the costs associated with installation of vegetated buffer zones 2) a lack of communication between residents and landscaping professionals who maintain ponds 3) respondents lack of control over pond-related decisions 4) social norms within neighborhoods such as grass sod standards and an aversion to non-manicured vegetation. These findings can be used by stormwater professionals to help increase adoption of stormwater pond best management practices and improve water quality protection in South Carolina.