Stormwater runoff in North Carolina's Tar-Pamlico River Basin : analyzing the potential for runoff and stakeholder perceptions of urban stormwater rules / by Timothy F. Tresohlavy.

Summary This research examines urban stormwater runoff in the context of its potential for degrading water quality. The purpose of this analysis is two-fold, to visualize the spatial pattern of indicators for stormwater runoff in the Tar-Pamlico River Basin, and to collect primary data of attitudes and perceptions from stakeholders relating to state-mandated urban stormwater rules. Analyzing the spatial pattern of stormwater indicators involves a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE), a geographical information system (GlS)-based method to create index scores for four secondary data layers. The index was aggregated at five levels of analysis, including both human-imposed and natural boundaries. A survey instrument was developed, and a directed sampling method was employed, to gather perspectives from diverse stakeholders of stormwater regulation in the basin. Interviews with public and private sector stakeholders contribute qualitative data to the survey and provided unexpected findings relating to economics and leadership. Results from the MCE indicate that areas of greater stormwater runoff potential are associated with large urban areas, and few smaller municipalities located adjacent to major thoroughfares. Results from the survey and interviews suggest that stakeholder attitude and perceptions of stormwater vary spatially and demographically. Locations with greatest potential for stormwater runoff are not necessarily linked with unified perceptions of urban stormwater program regulation. Major findings from interviews with stakeholders suggest that the goal of more and better local government planning has yet to be realized because of perceptions relating to a lack of leadership roles.
General notePresented to the faculty of the Department of Geography.
General noteAdvisor: Thomas W. Crawford
Dissertation noteM.A. East Carolina University 2006
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 110-113).
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formThèses et écrits académiques.

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner University Archives ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK ✔ Available Request Material
Electronic Resources Access Content Online ✔ Available