Which practice can significantly help mitigate stormwater runoff?

Implementing best management practices (BMPs) is recognized as a highly effective approach for mitigating stormwater runoff. BMPs include a variety of strategies designed to manage the quantity and quality of stormwater. They can be structural, like detention basins and rain gardens, or non-structural, like infiltration practices and public education on pollution prevention. By effectively capturing and treating stormwater before it enters water bodies, BMPs can reduce peak flows, filter pollutants, and improve overall water quality.

These practices are based on principles that aim to mimic natural hydrological processes, allowing rainwater to soak into the ground rather than being quickly funneled into storm sewers, which often leads to high runoff volumes. By managing stormwater at the source, BMPs not only help in controlling flooding but also protect aquatic ecosystems from the negative impacts of urban runoff such as sedimentation and contamination.

This holistic approach contrasts sharply with the other options, which do not provide effective solutions for stormwater management. Increasing urban density can exacerbate runoff, expanding industrial zones could lead to increased pollutants, and limiting green spaces would reduce natural filtration and absorption capabilities, further stressing the stormwater management system. Therefore, BMPs are essential in creating sustainable urban landscapes that effectively handle stormwater