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Floods have no jurisdictional boundaries. Storm and flood waters demand land-use decisions on neighboring properties, in neighboring communities, and throughout watersheds. While this connection comes with unfair costs in handling upstream development, it also offers a unique and beneficial opportunity for net gains.
Local government agencies can manage stormwater more efficiently and effectively by working together. Each entity has a “comparative advantage” i.e., the capacity to provide certain resources more efficiently, than other partner governments. When these advantages are combined, both entities win.
Intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) provide the perfect framework for this common approach. Like floodwaters, IGAs erase jurisdictional boundaries. Parties to the IGA pool their authority, leverage their assets, and exploit their efficiencies to accomplish mutual goals. Given these common characteristics, IGAs and stormwater management are a natural fit.