To develop its 2024-2029 Research Agenda, the SMC brought together nine technical experts spanning a range of relevant science and engineering disciplines, plus one representative each from a water-quality regulatory agency, a stormwater regulated agency, and an environmental advocacy organization.

After hearing testimonies from SMC member agencies about their research needs and priorities at the expert panel workshop, panelists developed 60 initial project concepts before narrowing their list to the 20 priority projects. The panel also identified opportunities where projects can build on existing work and achieve synergies with other Research Agenda projects and tasks.

The 20 candidate research projects are organized into six thematic areas:

• Traditional and emerging contaminants
• Stream biology
• Data mining, new technology and communications
• Stormwater best management practices (BMPs)
• Watershed and groundwater modeling
• Economics and financing

The SMC is using this Research Agenda over the next five years as a roadmap to guide decision-making about which projects to prioritize and fund.