Last week Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10th CD) visited the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center for a tour of the facility and to learn about the Center’s nationally-recognized work in stormwater issues, salmon toxicology, and low impact development. This was the Congressman’s first visit to the Center, which is located in the newly-drawn 10th Congressional District. Congressman Heck met with Dr. John Stark, the Center Director and a professor of ecotoxicology; and Tanyalee Erwin, manager of the Washington Stormwater Center.
Built in 1894, the Center was the first of Washington State University’s four research and extension centers. Its initial focus was agriculture, but as the area around the station became increasingly urbanized in the 1990’s, it broadened its focus to include clean water and related initiatives. The Puyallup Research Station now hosts the largest low impact development and stormwater research center in the United States.
A walking tour of the complex included an explanation of the WSU Puyallup LID Research Program, one of the largest installations in the nation to focus on low impact development, or green stormwater infrastructure. Professor Stark explained that the Center is unique in its ability to conduct long-term research on full-scale, bioretention and permeable pavement facilities. The main parking lot at WSU Puyallup (approximately 100 parking spaces) has been removed and replaced with permeable asphalt and concrete. While the entire lot provides stormwater management benefits, nine separate asphalt and six concrete cells divided by concrete curbs are dedicated to research.
The Center also hosts multiple rain garden beds—shallow, constructed depressions that are planted with deep-rooted native plants & grasses. They are designed to receive runoff from hard surfaces such as roofs, sidewalks or driveways. Rain gardens slow the rush of water from these hard surfaces, holding the water for a short period of time and allowing it to naturally infiltrate into the ground. This minimizes flooding and reduces pollution. WSU Puyallup is engaged in a rain garden study to determine the optimum soil composition and mix of plants to thrive in the Pacific Northwest.
A tour of the Salmon Toxicology Building highlighted research presently underway on (1) the effects of stormwater runoff from roadway surfaces on salmon health, and (2) how low impact development cleans up the water, thereby improving salmon health. The Building is in the throes of a major expansion, which will allow a broader focus to include aquatic invertebrates such as mussels. The Congressman’s visit provided the opportunity not only to showcase critical research projects, but also to highlight the Center and its economic impacts on the region.