The rapid conversion of land to urban and suburban areas has profoundly altered how water flows during and following storm events, putting higher volumes of water and more pollutants into the nation's rivers, lakes, and estuaries. These changes have degraded water quality and habitat in virtually every urban stream system. The Clean Water Act regulatory framework for addressing sewage and industrial wastes is not well suited to the more difficult problem of stormwater discharges. This book calls for an entirely new permitting structure that would put authority and accountability for stormwater discharges at the municipal level. A number of additional actions, such as conserving natural areas, reducing hard surface cover (e.g., roads and parking lots), and retrofitting urban areas with features that hold and treat stormwater, are recommended.

Nature Tourism provides practical advice and models for planning and developing a nature tourism industry, evaluating economic benefits, and marketing nature tourism. Using examples of successful nature tourism programs in Kenya, Costa Rica, the United States, and elsewhere, the book examines the roles of government and the private sector, explores nature tourism's potential as a tool for developing countries, and outlines ways for local residents to get involved.