stockton university rain garden project proposal · 2019-03-18 · v. project narrative a. goals...
TRANSCRIPT
Stockton University Rain Garden
Project Proposal
Dylan Bell, Jennifer Liguori, Emily McGuckin,
Jessica Paszko, Tom Scrivani
Environmental Sustainability (SUST 2100)
Dr. Tait Chirenje
Stockton University
Fall 2015
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Table of Contents
Mission Statement ……………………………………………………………………………….3
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………....……...3
Statement of Need………………………………………………………………………..............4
Project Rationale why does stockton need this?........................................................................4
Project Narrative………………………………………………………....……………………...5
Goals and Objectivesof actual implementation (not the objectives or benefits
expected to come from having a rain garden).................................................................5
Proposed Activities (Timeline)..........................................................................................5
Budget…………………………………………………………………………………….6
Facilities and Resources where we’re putting the garden and why……………….…8
Evaluation what its overall influence will be on the ecosystem……………………....9
Sustainabilityeconomic, environmental, social benefits……………………………..11
Case Studies……………………………………………………………………………..12
Appendix………………………………………………………………………………………...14
References…………………………………………………………………………………….....18
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I. Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide Stockton University with a sustainable and ecologically
friendly way to improve water quality. A rain garden will remove pollutants found in runoff
before they can enter our waterways in a cost effective and energy efficient way. The garden
will been built and designed to be sustainable after initial construction. This project offers
aspects of both environmental and social sustainability. It will provide a practical and distinctive
solution that will help our school remain “New Jersey’s Green University.
II. Abstract
When our group first concurred that the construction of a rain garden would be the most
efficient way to improve the school, from a sustainable aspect, we set out to find an area that
would benefit from a rain garden. Through research and help from our professor we were able to
determine the location of the new rain garden. The area that was chosen was behind the
executives parking lot near F wing in a drainage basin. During this phase of the project, we
collected data, choose appropriate plants for the rain garden, and arranged a meeting with the
Plant Management Administration of Stockton University for support and further guidance of
our project. During the course of the meeting it was determined that the stakeholders would
support us in our project, but instead of the construction of a new rain garden we would rebuild a
rain garden that had previously been abandoned due to factors that could not be controlled. The
selected site for the old rain garden was be behind the Richard E. Bjork Library on Lakeside
Lane. After the conclusion of the meeting we concentrated on the new area, surveyed and took
data again for the older raingarden. Together, we concurred that a rain garden would be a
sustainable and attractive way to enhance the water quality and filter out pollutants in the runoff.
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By constructing this rain garden, we will not only benefit the ecosystems of plants and Lake Fred
by improving the quality of the rainwater they are receiving, but also creating a new green
attraction for Stockton University.
III. Statement of Need
Stockton University is located in the New Jersey Pine Barrens within the wetlands. The
area receives approximately 40 inches of rain every year, which results in large amounts of
runoff ("Atlantic County, New Jersey"). Pollutants in runoff at Stockton University consists of
chemical fertilizers used on campus grounds, various sediment pollution and air pollution from
the large amount of automobiles. Without any type of filtration system, these pollutants stay in
the water and are washed directly into nearby waterways, such as Lake Fred, affecting the biota
and ecosystem of the lake.
Stockton University needs a rain garden to improve campus water quality, which in turn
will help the terrestrial vegetation as well as the aquatic ecosystem. It will filter out many
pollutants of anthropogenic sources and will be an attractive addition to the campus grounds.
IV. Project Rationale
As “New Jersey’s Green University”, Stockton has an obligation to keep our campus as
environmentally sustainable as possible. The creation of a rain garden on campus would assist us
in living up to this title. We worked to develop a plan and a small proposal which was presented
to the Plant Management Administration of Stockton University. Our group met with a few of
the members of the Plant Management Administration, who were also interested in the idea of a
rain garden on our campus. Together, we chose a perfect location for a rain garden, along with
some good suggestions on what plants to use in the rain garden.
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Not only will this garden enhance the water quality, but it will be an additional green and
sustainable attraction for Stockton University. It will be a beautiful area for students, staff and
future visitors to enjoy. Potential students will be able to see it on the tours and the garden will
be near one of the paths from the upperclassman side and the faculty parking lot, allowing plenty
of students and faculty to admire the rain garden. It has the potential to attract more students. The
ecofriendly design is commonly promoted to entice students into paying us a visit and rain
gardens decorating our campus can only improve our image.
V. Project Narrative
a. Goals and Objectives: The goal of this project is to improve the water quality and
reduce the amount of pollution from runoff, in an attractive and sustainable way. This will also
benefit Lake Fred. The rain garden will reduce the pollutants that run into the water system. This
garden will be designed wellspaced to avoid overgrowth and allow for easy maintenance. The
soil on the forest’s edge is naturally saturated, so the garden will require little manual watering
after it’s initially planted. Except, of course, during periods of severe droughts. The garden will
require little maintenance while producing much greater benefits.
b. Proposed Activities: Rain gardens are a relatively simple concept to employ. In
practice, ground needs to be depressed creating a slope. The degree of the angle will be
considered in determining the surface area, which needs to be measured out. The necessary tools
need to be acquired and utilized and permeability also needs to be measured as well. These two
things are the more difficult steps in the implementation of a rain garden and it is already done
for this location. Therefore the only things to consider would be the time of planting, planting
conditions and spacing of the plants, as well as maintenance.The flowers themselves have
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varying sizes and appearances and differing sunlight factors, therefore placement of the plants in
the garden needs to be taken into consideration. The plants with shade tolerance will be in the
inner garden and are also the plants that share a common wetland indicators. More vegetation
will be near the front of the garden and those in the rear will be spaced evenly. Removal of
current vegetation is the first step, then a rototiller will be used to restore soil vitality before
planting can take place. After the plants are planted, 23 inches of brown mulch will be spread to
increase moisture retention and to prevent frost damage and soil erosion. These events will take
place in spring, hopefully after spring break and with hardworking students can be completed
within a weekend.
c. Budget:
Pinelands Nursery:
Vaccinium corymbosum Size: 7”x 6” Price: $6.25 Minimum: 20
Ilex verticillata Size: 7”x 6” Price: $6.25 Minimum: 20
Rudbeckia laciniata Size: Quarts Price: $2.60 Minimum: 50
Lobelia cardinalis Size: Quarts Price: $2.60 Minimum: 50
Chelone glabra Size: Quarts Price: $2.60 Minimum: 50
Osmunda regalis Size: Quarts Price: $3.60 Minimum: 50
Polystichum acrostichoides Size: Quarts Price: $3.60 Minimum: 50
Aquilegia canadensis Size: Quarts Price: $2.60 Minimum: 50
Ace Hardware:
Remington Cultivator: Rototiller Price: 200.00
The Home Depot:
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10 cu. yd. Brown Landscape Loose Bulk Mulch Price: 350.00
Unforeseen Costs:
Maintenance: $500.00
Total Costs:
Unforeseen maintenance: $500.00
Cost for plants: $1,130.00
Cost of equipment: $200.00
Cost of Mulch: $350.00
Total cost of project: $1,680
The budget is not a fixed number, this area can be flexible as needed. The estimates given
above are from one nursery, but can change depending on which nursey has the best offers. The
prices for the plants are relatively uniform for many nurseries. This one was chosen because of
quality recommendations from Camden County Soil Conservation District. The total project cost
should not fluctuate exponentially. The size of the plants are in quarts to maximize quality
spacing and to secure a more stable growth rate in the plants. The unforeseen cost section is for
unexpected maintenance if there is extreme flooding, accidental damage, or any change in the
rain garden that is out of our control. Additionally, there is some initial maintenance required to
ensure the longevity and sustainability of the rain garden.
Water plants as necessary during first growing season
Water as necessary during dry periods, as needed after the first growing season
Treat diseased trees and shrubs as needed
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Inspect soil and repair eroded areas as needed
Remove litter and debris as needed
Add additional mulch once a year to replenish and reinforce layers already laid
d. Facilities and Resources:
Due to the nature of this project, location and elevation are very important. The selected
site for this rain garden will be behind the Richard E. Bjork Library on Lakeside Lane. The area
is near the entrance to the trails that lead to the Light and Dark paths and is near the Library
Gazebo. The area is a prime location for the garden due to its exposure to a fair amount of both
pedestrian as well as automobile activity. Anyone walking or driving in this area will be able to
appreciate its natural beauty. It is currently the location of an abandoned garden. The previous
garden had to unfortunately be abandoned because of external forces. However, this proposal has
accounted for those circumstances with the implementation of proper fencing and signs. The
previous garden had already implemented a landscaping system that will allow for appropriate
water flow which will result in decreased maintenance and reduced costs. It is a good location
for the garden. The area is approximately 1,600 square feet and has large trees growing inside of
it which will add to the aesthetics. Another site would also be a good location for the rain garden
which is the rain basin next to the administration parking behind N wing. This area is shaded
with partial sun and is an open space which would be ideal for any kind of plant organization.
This basin has excellent water flow and suitably permeates. This location is approximately 800
square feet and could host a good rain garden with more of a meadow tone in the future. For this
project, the focus will be on the first location mentioned, as it is much more feasible. Many
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excellent species have been selected that fit the current conditions of the location. Because it is
on a forest edge, the location experiences mostly shade and a good amount of moisture in the
soil. The location also allows for appropriate drainage, so the plants can be sustained but not
overwhelmed. The forest edge plays a vital role in determining the species that can survive here.
Some common trees that shade the area are Pitch Pine, Red Maple and Red Cedar. There is also
some sporadic grasses and ferns that are in the area. The species chosen have shade tolerant and
partial shade attributes as well as varying degrees of saturation tolerance. The plants that have an
affinity for partial sunlight will be on the edge of the garden. The plants near the middle of the
garden will be the ones that enjoy a certain degree of moisture and shade, like ferns. The wetland
statuses of the various species were also noted and will be placed accordingly and the species
themselves should fill out the area nicely as to efficiently absorb the runoff (see attached diagram
for locations). The plants chosen are ones that will emit a natural beauty with a hint of tasteful
color. They will provide a classical ambiance with a subtle flare. The blooming seasons were
also taken into consideration in the selection process as well as the size of the plants. The
ecological factors also played a crucial part in selection. The Highbush blueberry and
winterberry hollies bear fruit which can support local wildlife. Cutleaf Coneflower, Turtleheads
and Cardinal flowers will provide for pollinators such as honey bees. The garden will create an
aesthetically pleasurable and ecofriendly area that all walks of life can enjoy. For a detailed list
of flora, see the attached chart.
e. Evaluation: Case Studies have been presented of many rain gardens that have recently
been implemented throughout the country. School communities and even whole towns are
getting behind this clean water initiative and starting rain garden programs. The Rain Gardens of
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West Michigan and the Rain Garden Initiative of ToledoLucas County, in Ohio, have hosted
various events and workshops promoting the benefits of rain gardens. As of 2011, Rhode Island
began requiring individual singlefamily residents starting development projects that included the
implementation of impervious surfaces to incorporate an equivalent LID on the property. This
incentive of a monetary fine has shown to be more efficient in implantation than simply
education, but not by much. When people learn about rain gardens and what they do for the
environment, they want to get involved in the initiative.
Recently, Missouri has experienced severe storm surges as a result of climate change and
the intensive flooding has caused them to seek new adaptation measures. After adding multiple
rain gardens throughout trouble areas the results were seen right away. All over, Best
Management Plans (BMP) are being adopted implementing rain gardens in future architect plans.
The effects of rain gardens and other LIDs are being seen in water quality throughout the
country. The Saratoga Lake, located in Saratoga County, NY, spans 5.8 miles with a watershed
of 244 square miles. This watershed is the major water source for 12 municipalities whose
population has been increasing by more than 30% every year. As a result of the spike in
population and corresponding spike in waste and pollution, various green projects are being
drafted to maintain their water quality. So far this has been sufficient.
It is clear based on past implementations that rain gardens are a simple but reliable
method to improving local water quality. When properly designed and maintained they provide a
pleasant atmosphere while decreasing human impact on the ecosystem and contributing to
biodiversity. Not only will it be an attractive addition to Stockton’s campus, but it will contribute
to maintaining our beloved lakes as well.
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f. Sustainability: The rain garden is something that will improve the quality of life on
campus as well as the campus itself. People will enjoy the sight as they go about their day.
Students who frequent the paths there and staff that work near there will be happier with a
beautiful garden in their sight. Environmentally, the garden will support a variety of organisms
ranging from hummingbirds to honey bees to butterflies as creatures from all walks of life
pollinate the flowers. The fruits from the hollies and blueberries will provide nourishment to the
local wildlife. The low costs and decreased maintenance required for the garden makes it ideal in
terms of sustainability. Stormwater runoff is ranked the number one source of water pollution by
the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Many more programs across the country are
beginning to address issues of water quality. Towns and cities have developed regulations
requiring the implementation of Low Impact Development (LID) techniques. Recently, the most
popular LIDs, postconstruction, have been rain gardens, grassed waterways and porous
pavement. However, rain gardens are an attractive addition to the community that is both
environmentally and socially sustainable. As result of overdevelopment and sprawl, especially
in New Jersey, there is lack of greenspace. This is both damaging to water quality and is a factor
in flooding. Runoff that enters waters ways directly is contaminated with everything it picks up
along the way from pesticides and fertilizers to gasoline and antifreeze. Fertilizers cause
eutrophication that reduces the oxygen in the water and kills what once inhabited it. Chemicals in
antifreeze are absorbed by living things, which humans will eventually consume at some point
on the food chain. Runoff does not only affect the ecosystems of thousands of fish and wildlife,
but it also presents hazards for people as well. Rain gardens are a simple, cost effective, and
energy efficient way to help reduce anthropogenic impact on nature. The slight depression in the
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basin of these gardens are designed to reduce the amount of runoff directly entering waterways
by 4280%. The water caught in the basin then must filtrate through the soil before reaching the
water table. The soil acts as a natural filtration system removing any chemicals or oils that would
otherwise run down the storm drains and into our water.
Industrialization brought on the surge of new buildings, homes and cars, and the millions
of miles of impermeable asphalt that came along with them. From roads to rooftops to parking
garages, there is very little penetrable land left for Mother Nature to filter water the way she
should.
g. Case Studies:
Edgewood College has six different rain gardens that they implemented on campus for
much the same reason we want to. This college has a lake on campus, Lake Wingra, and they
wanted to prevent pollutants from going into the lake just like we do with Lake Fred. They put
their rain gardens surrounding their lake as to have the highest effect. Their six rain gardens
worked out amazingly and are still working today.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resource Program has built hundreds of
demonstration rain gardens across the state. Some of the ones that have worked out splendidly
have been the Williamstown Middle School rain gardens, the Cherry Hill Public Library’s rain
garden, the Ethel Jacobson Elementary School rain gardens, and the Long Pond School rain
garden. Many of these rain gardens were built to control the stormwater runoff experienced by
the locations in question. They all were extremely successful and more than one was
implemented by third graders. We feel this says something about rain gardens and the project as
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a whole. If third graders could successfully implement a rain garden or two, so can the wonderful
students here at Stockton University.
The rain garden found at The Oregon Convention Center is probably one of the more
aesthetically pleasing ones we have seen. This rain garden was built to handle the runoff from
the 5.5acre roof expansion of the convention center and handles it beautifully. Consisting of
water basins and basalt spillways, the garden cleans all the water that comes from the roof of the
building expansion of the roof of the Convention Center. There is a downspout that pours the
water into the first of the cleaning basins in a lovely waterfalllike manner. This helps the water
focus into one area which goes through the different basins to filtrate. This is an example of a
beautiful and functional rain garden and also an example of something we would like to succeed
in. Here at Stockton, the students deserve a beautiful and clean rain garden.
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VI. Appendix
Winteberry Holly Ilex verticillata
FACW+ Facultative Wet
plants that nearly always
occur in areas of
prolonged flooding or
require standing water or
saturated soils but may,
on rare occasions, occur
in nonwetlands
Bloom Period
April to July
Bloom Color:
White
Fall color:
yellow
Light: Sun, Part
Shade, Shade
Size:
610’
Highbush Blueberry Vaccinium
corymbosum
FACW
Facultative Wet
plants that nearly always
occur in areas of
prolonged flooding or
require standing water or
saturated soils but may,
on rare occasions, occur
in nonwetlands
Blood Period
May to June
Bloom Color:
White
Fall color: Red
Light: Sun, Part
Shade, Shade
Size:
up to
12’
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Royal Fern Osmunda regalis
OBL Obligate
occur in standing water
or in saturated soils
Continuously
Green
Light: Part
Shade, Shade
Size:
up to 6’
Christmas Fern Polystichum
acrostichoides
FACU
Facultative Upland
plants that typically
occur in xeric or mesic
nonwetland habitats but
may frequently occur in
standing water or
saturated soils
Continuously
Green
Light: Part
Shade, Shade
Size: 2’
Turtlehead Chelone glabra
OBL Obligate
occur in standing water
or in saturated soils
Bloom Period
July to
September
Bloom Color:
Pink/White
Light: Sun, Part
Shade, Shade
Size:
23’
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Cutleaf Coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata
FACW
Facultative Wet
plants that nearly always
occur in areas of
prolonged flooding or
require standing water or
saturated soils but may,
on rare occasions, occur
in nonwetlands
Bloom Period
July to October
Bloom Color:
Yellow
Light: Sun, Part
Shade, Shade
Size:
46’
Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
FACW
Facultative Wet
plants that nearly always
occur in areas of
prolonged flooding or
require standing water or
saturated soils but may,
on rare occasions, occur
in nonwetlands
Bloom Period
July to October
Bloom Color:
Red
Light: Sun, Part
Shade
Size:
up to 5’
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Red Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
FAC
plants that occur in a
variety of habitats,
including wetland and
mesic to xeric
nonwetland habitats but
commonly occur in
standing water or
saturated soils
Blood Period
March to July
Bloom Color:
Red with
Yellow
Light: Part
Shade, Shade
Size:
13’
Figure 1
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VII. References
WMEAC. Rain Gardens. http://wmeac.org/raingardens/
American Rivers. Rain Garden and Rain Barrel Initiatives.
http://www.americanrivers.org/initiatives/pollution/greeninfrastructure/raingardensbarrels/
Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions. Rain Gardens. University of Rhode Island.
http://web.uri.edu/riss/takeaction/simplestepsathome/raingardens/
Kansas State University Staff. RainGarden Design and Implementation for Kansas Property
Owners. Kansas State University.
http://faculty.capd.ksu.edu/lskab/KSULARCP_RainGardenGuidebooklrs.pdf
Missouri River Communities Network. Rain Gardens. Columbia Boone County Rain Garden
Program. http://www.moriver.org/raingardens/raingardens.html
Eli DibnerDunlap, Vince Weeks. Implementation of Rain Gardens as Alternative Stormwater
Management in the Saratoga Lake Watershed. Skidmore College.
https://www.skidmore.edu/wri/documents/dibnerdunlap_weeks.pdf
Edgewood College
http://biology.edgewood.edu/pages/outreach/raingarden/raingarden.htm
Cherry Hill Public Library
http://water.rutgers.edu/Rain_Gardens/RGWebsite/demo/demorg_camco_chlibrary.html
Oregon Convention Center
http://www.asla.org/portland/site.aspx?id=43983
Williamstown Middle School
http://water.rutgers.edu/Rain_Gardens/RGWebsite/demo/demorg_gloco_williamstown.html
Ethel Jacobson Elementary School
http://water.rutgers.edu/Rain_Gardens/RGWebsite/demo/demorg_occo_ethel.html
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Long Pond School
http://water.rutgers.edu/Rain_Gardens/RGWebsite/demo/demorg_susco_longpond.html
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