Puget Sound Suburbs Could Follow Cities' Tougher Runoff Rules

"A key concept is whether the government should require, or merely permit, "low-impact" development techniques to control stormwater, which is considered the biggest source of many of Puget Sound's worst pollutants."

"The smaller cities -- from Aberdeen to Yarrow Point, including Bellevue, Redmond, Edmonds, Everett and Federal Way -- merely have to take steps toward requiring the enviro-friendly construction methods."

"Steps to minimize the polluted runoff focus on minimizing concrete and other hard surfaces that cause rain to flow away, carrying pollutants such as oil and copper residue from cars' brakes. Examples include vegetated roofs, special pavement that allows water to soak through, and "rain gardens" that slurp up runoff."

"The environmentalists were stopped short in their effort to convince the quasi-judicial hearings board that the 85 smaller cities and counties should have to take the same steps as Seattle, Tacoma and the counties of King, Pierce, Snohomish and Clark."