Pollution Control in the Puyallup Floodplain: The Problem of Urban Sprawl
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC 137A
Start Date
16-5-2013
End Date
16-5-2013
Abstract
The Puyallup River is fed by glacier melt on Mt. Rainer. It runs across forty-five miles of western Washington, before emptying into the Puget Sound. The river valley is a popular attraction for homeowners. There are currently 150,000 people residing in the river valley. Improper management of urban growth is damaging the rivers floodplain and reducing water quality. The consequences of floodplain modifications are intensified during rainy seasons. Homes are being inundated by storm water, carrying household chemicals and large debris into the river. As this continues to happen oxygen levels are reduced, creating a hypoxic environment. In hypoxic waters, fish and water organisms numbers will decline. My research explores the current Puyallup River floodplain policies, specifically, where policy has failed to protect habitat and how it can be improved.
Recommended Citation
Kajca, Spencer, "Pollution Control in the Puyallup Floodplain: The Problem of Urban Sprawl " (2013). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 54.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2013/oralpresentations/54
Additional Mentoring Department
Political Science
Pollution Control in the Puyallup Floodplain: The Problem of Urban Sprawl
SURC 137A
The Puyallup River is fed by glacier melt on Mt. Rainer. It runs across forty-five miles of western Washington, before emptying into the Puget Sound. The river valley is a popular attraction for homeowners. There are currently 150,000 people residing in the river valley. Improper management of urban growth is damaging the rivers floodplain and reducing water quality. The consequences of floodplain modifications are intensified during rainy seasons. Homes are being inundated by storm water, carrying household chemicals and large debris into the river. As this continues to happen oxygen levels are reduced, creating a hypoxic environment. In hypoxic waters, fish and water organisms numbers will decline. My research explores the current Puyallup River floodplain policies, specifically, where policy has failed to protect habitat and how it can be improved.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Rex Wirth