With Smart Planning

Smart planning strategies foster growth and ensure the responsible protection of forests, farmland, and waterways. Communities can avoid sprawl by planning clustered areas for mixed residential and commercial use, and protecting forested lands. Cost-effective tree plantings and rain garden installations improve local water quality and beautify our communities at the same time. With foresight, we can meet growth demands and leave a legacy of clean water for future generations.
 

Without Smart Planning

Poorly planned development can put terrible pressure on our communities' infrastructure and natural resources. If we fail to enact common sense solutions to manage our region's growth, unsustainable sprawl will lead to shrinking forests, weakened natural flood protections, and greater pollution levels in our local streams and rivers - not to mention increased traffic, larger school classroom sizes, and higher cost of living.

View the Full Report

Learn more about growth projections, emerging threats, and clean water solutions in your community.
2014 State of the Nation's River report >