Regional Planning for Green Infrastructure Retrofits Growing Green

Regional Planning for Green Infrastructure Retrofits Growing Green Infrastructure in NYS SUNY ESF Session 1: Planning – 11. 17. 10

Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development Evaluation and Implementation Plan http: //gflrpc. org/Green. Infrastructure. htm Clean Water Act Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Projects Appropriated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 2

Credits Brian C. Slack, AICP Senior Planner – Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council John Lagorga, P. E. , BCEE & Gregory Liberman, CPESC Stearns & 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 3

Genesee/Finger Lakes Region • Genesee • Livingston • Monroe • Ontario • Orleans • Seneca • Wayne • Wyoming • Yates 4

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 5

Project Municipalities • Targeted geographic focus areas – Specific watersheds – Regulated MS 4 s • ~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 6

7

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 8

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 9

Typical Stormwater Retrofit Locations • • • Existing BMPs Culverts Storm Drain Outfalls Parking Lots Highway ROWs Open Spaces 10

Planters and Tree Boxes Permeable and Porous Pavements Grassed Swales & Rain Gardens Pocket Wetland 11

“Storm Tank” Source: http: //www. americaninfratech. com/bw. html 12

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 14

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 15

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 16

CWP Retrofit Reconnaissance Form Source: D. Caraco, CWP 17

CWP Retrofit Recon. Form Source: D. Caraco, CWP 18

Basic Desktop Analysis and Sketch Plans 19 Source: D. Caraco, CWP

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 E L MP Criteria and Score Water Quality Improvement Score Cost Score Rank 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 EXASite 20 Table Source: Stearns & Wheler LLC

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 21

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 22

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/Green. Infrastructure. htm 24