Regional Planning for Green Infrastructure RetrofitsGrowing Green Infrastructure in NYS

SUNY ESF

Session 1: Planning – 11.17.10

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Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development Evaluation and Implementation Plan http://

gflrpc.org/GreenInfrastructure.htm

Clean Water Act Section 604(b)

Water Quality Management Planning Projects

Appropriated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

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Brian C. Slack, AICPSenior Planner – Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council

John Lagorga, P.E., BCEE & Gregory Liberman, CPESCStearns & Wheler, LLC

Portions of this presentation have been adapted from:• “The Art and Science of Stormwater Retrofitting.” Deb

Caraco, Center for Watershed Protection. April 12, 2010 • “Stormwater Retrofits: The Art of Opportunity.” CWP• Stearns & Wheler LLC Presentation to G/FLRPC August 27,

2010

Credits

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Genesee/Finger Lakes Region

•Genesee

•Livingston

•Monroe

•Ontario

•Orleans

•Seneca

•Wayne

•Wyoming

•Yates

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Goals and Objectives

• NYSDEC 604(b) Goal/Priority:– Develop planning activities to support implementation of

“green infrastructure” as defined under the Clean Water Act• Our Proposal:

– Partner with regional municipalities – Identify local “green infrastructure” stormwater retrofit

opportunities – Provide them with a framework for implementing those

projects– Conduct analysis of the local regulatory framework to ensure

compatibility with local laws and to promulgate BMPs in BSD/LID

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Project Municipalities

• Targeted geographic focus areas– Specific watersheds– Regulated MS4s

• ~65 municipalities were mailed solicitation letters

• Asked to submit a letter of interest justifying why they would like to participate

• 10 responses – all were accepted

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What are Stormwater Retrofits?

• Stormwater retrofits are stormwater management practices in locations where stormwater controls did not previously exist or were inadequate or ineffective (CWP)

• Keep the water on-site– Infiltration– Evapo-transpiration– Reuse

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Typical Stormwater Retrofit Goals

• Fix Past Mistakes & Maintenance Problems• Demonstration & Education• Reduce Pollutants of Concern• Alleviate Chronic Flooding Problems• Reduce Stormwater Runoff Volumes• Reduce Downstream Channel Erosion• Trap Trash & Floatables• Support Stream or Watershed Restoration Projects

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Typical Stormwater Retrofit Locations

• Existing BMPs

• Culverts

• Storm Drain Outfalls

• Parking Lots

• Highway ROWs

• Open Spaces

11Pocket WetlandPermeable and Porous Pavements

Planters and Tree Boxes Grassed Swales & Rain Gardens

12Source: http://www.americaninfratech.com/bw.html

“Storm Tank”

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CWP: Eight Steps to Stormwater Retrofitting

Step 1.  Preliminary Watershed Retrofit Inventory

Step 2.  Field Assessment of Potential Retrofit Sites

Step 3.  Prioritize Sites for Implementation

Step 4.  Public Involvement Process

Step 5.  Retrofit Design

Step 6.  Permitting

Step 7.  Construction Inspections

Step 8.  Maintenance Plan

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Step 1.  Preliminary Watershed Retrofit Inventory

• Administering short survey with each lead contact• Generating local stormwater goals

– Badly performing existing facilities

– Inflow and Infiltration

– Green Spaces

– Waterbodies of concern, TMDL priorities

• Where possible, generate a list of potential sites• Conduct face to face follow-up• Begin preliminary desktop analysis

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Step 2.  Field Assessment of Potential Retrofit Sites

• Develop inventory tool

• Look for pollution prevention opportunities in the field

• Conduct a ground-truth to determine what will work

• Prepare a conceptual sketch and take photographs

17Source: D. Caraco, CWP

CWP Retrofit Reconnaissance Form

18Source: D. Caraco, CWP

CWP Retrofit Recon. Form

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Basic Desktop Analysis and Sketch Plans

Source: D. Caraco, CWP

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Step 3: Prioritize Sites for Implementation

• Information collected can be used to prioritize projects them locally and regionally

• Consider cost effectiveness, logistical feasibility, potential for public/environmental benefit

Site

Criteria and Score

Rank ScoreWater Quality Improvement Score Cost Score

A Medium 5 $10,000 8 5*2+8*1=18

B High 10 $15,000 5 10*2+5*1=15

C Low 1 $8,000 10 1*2+10*1=12

Table Source: Stearns & Wheler LLC

EXAMPLE

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Step 4: Local Law Review

• No G/FLRPC project is complete without a local law “gap analysis”!

• Analysis will seek to review existing laws, identify any potential conflicts and provide recommendations for BSD/LID

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Final Project Outcomes

1. Prioritized list of feasible stormwater green infrastructure projects

2. Basic overview/framework to assist municipalities with next steps regarding implementation, including any necessary public outreach

3. Accompanying local law analysis

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Questions?

Contact Information

Brian C. Slack, AICP

Senior Planner – G/FLRPC

bslack@gflrpc.org

Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development Evaluation and Implementation Plan

http://gflrpc.org/GreenInfrastructure.htm