Stormwater Quality and Local Government Innovation

This article investigates how local governments in Kansas approached planning for and implementing Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water program, which required them to take measures to control nonpoint source pollution in order to improve surface water quality. We find that though these local governments undertook many new activities, there were few differences between those that acted early and those that waited until they were required to act, though the governments acting early had higher quality responses. Limitations on funds and personnel appear to have posed the most significant challenges to effective local innovation.