Getting the ‘Green’ for
Green Infrastructure
Growing Green Infrastructure in New
York State
Khris Dodson
Not a good
source of
funding!!!
Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University
Also not recommended...
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
The Costs of Inaction
• Excessive stormwater can cause floods and water quality
degradation, potentially leading to:
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damage to public infrastructure and private property
Regulatory liability (TMDL, CWA, other laws)
Loss of ecosystem services
Loss of ecotourism revenues (fishing, etc.)
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Management Resources
http://www.cwp.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=76&Itemid=118
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
General Methods of Raising Local
Government Revenue
• Taxes
• Public Enterprise Fees
– Stormwater Management/Utility fees
– Drinking water/wastewater fees
– Impact fees
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Regulatory fees
Fines and Penalties
Contractual agreements
Assessments
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Factors that (Can, Should and Do)
Influence Revenue Choices
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Legal Considerations
Community perspectives, goals and objectives
Customer Fairness and equity
Revenue stability and reliability
Political acceptance
Administrative complexity
Peer pressure
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
How To Charge for Stormwater
• Flat rate
• Charge based on impact of property on stormwater
runoff
• Charged based on range of impact calculated as
Equivalent Residential Unit, or ERU
• Commercial and Residential different?
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Rate Structure & Rate Study
Analysis
• Potential Rate Methodologies
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Impervious Area*
Impervious Area + Gross Area
Gross Area/Intensity of Development/Land Use
Others
• Common Rate Modifiers
– Uniform/Flat Rate (with or w/o Tiers)
– Water Quality Charge/Factor
• Typical User Fee Credits
– Detention Ponds & Structural Controls
– Onsite Greenspace
– Green Growth Guidelines/LID
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* Most Common Rate Methodology
Slide Source: Ron Feldner, Stormwater
Consultant
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Funding Opportunities
• Green Innovation Grants Program (GIGP) New
York State Environmental Facilities Corporation
• FY2010 Northeastern Area State and Private
Forestry Competitive Grant Initiative-US Forest
Service
• National Science Foundation (NSF)
Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University
Funding Opportunities
• EPA Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (EPA)
• Urban & Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant
Program (USFS)
• The Bronx River Watershed Initiative (BRWI)
• Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE)
Grants (EPA)
Saratoga County Greenspace Plan
http://www.saratogaplan.org/cp_GreenInfrastructure.html
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Models and Calculators
• EPA Sites:
– Municipal Handbook: Funding Options
– EPA Green Infrastructure Models and Calculators
– Financing Alternatives Comparison Tool (FACT)
• Green Values Stormwater Toolbox, Center for
Neighborhood Technology
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
http://www.nafsma.org/Guidance%20Manual%20Version%202X.pdf
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/region3_factsheet_funding.pdf
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/munic.cfm
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
NYS DEC New Stormwater Manual
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University
Green Infrastructure
Resources
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Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), 2006
Rooftops to Rivers Green Strategies for Controlling Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows
http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/rooftops/contents.asp
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Green Playbook
http://www.greenplaybook.org
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The Low Impact Urban Development Center
http://www.lid-stormwater.net
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure
http://epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure
Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University
Questions?
Khris Dodson
Communication and Program Manager
Environmental Finance Center
315-443-8818
kdodson@syracusecoe.org
Environmental Finance Center Syracuse University