Regional Planning for Green
Infrastructure Retrofits
Growing Green Infrastructure in NYS
SUNY ESF
Session 1: Planning – 11.17.10
BUILDINGS
WETLAND BASIN
LAWN AREA
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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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
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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
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•
•
•
•
•
•
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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
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•
•
•
•
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Existing BMPs
Culverts
Storm Drain Outfalls
Parking Lots
Highway ROWs
Open Spaces
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Planters and Tree Boxes
Permeable and Porous Pavements
Grassed Swales & Rain Gardens
Pocket Wetland11
“Storm Tank”
Source:
http://www.americaninfratech.com/bw.html
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CWP: Eight Steps to Stormwater
Retrofitting
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
Step 6.
Step 7.
Step 8.
Preliminary Watershed Retrofit Inventory
Field Assessment of Potential Retrofit Sites
Prioritize Sites for Implementation
Public Involvement Process
Retrofit Design
Permitting
Construction Inspections
Maintenance Plan
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Step 1. Preliminary Watershed
Retrofit Inventory
• Administering short survey with each lead contact
• Generating local stormwater goals
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–
–
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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
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CWP Retrofit Reconnaissance
Form
Source: D. Caraco, CWP
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CWP Retrofit Recon. Form
Source: D. Caraco, CWP
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Basic Desktop Analysis and
Sketch Plans
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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
Criteria and Score
Site
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
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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
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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
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