Political Aspects of Urban Stormwater Management

This paper examines the experiences of urbanizing DeKalb County, Ga. in implementing stormwater management and handling drainage and flooding problems during the period 1973 to 1979. Political considerations played a significant part. A number of detailed sub-basin studies with extensive citizen opinion surveys and participation were conducted. The questionnaire response in the sub-basins studied show the percentage of residents who considered they had a drainage problem, the severity of the problem, and their views on additional funding sources. Elected officials' support for funding drainage studies and construction projects were, in general, for those projects with immediate benefits and specific beneficiaries. Suggestions are given that should aid officials and citizens on how to work with the political aspects in implementing urban stormwater management to alleviate drainage and flooding problems in urbanizing areas.