Water Resources: Utilizing Technology,
Partnerships and Nature
Michele N. Siekerka, Esq.
Assistant Commissioner
Water Resource Management
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
March 29, 2012
What is Green Infrastructure?
• Utilizing soil and
vegetation to manage
rainwater where it falls
• Infiltration
• Vegetative uptake
• Storage
Sustainable ROI
• Environmental: can both manage
stormwater volume and treat
runoff for a variety of pollutants
• Social : aesthetically pleasing and
community building
• Economic: Can reduce the
capital costs and O & M costs of
gray technology; short term
quicker impact
Policy Driving Action
• Strategic Integrated Approach to Water Quality
• Leveraging Funding
• NJDEP State Revolving Loan Fund
Federal pass through money; principal forgiveness
• NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust
New Jersey’s Independent Financing Authority responsible for
funding Environmental Infrastructure projects that protect the
State’s natural resources and public health
______________________
Program Qualification Water Quality Component
2 Main Qualification Categories :
1. Clean Water
• Point Source Clean Water Projects (WTF, CSO, Sludge, etc.)
• Non-Point Clean Water Projects (Storm water, Equip,
Remediation)
2. Drinking Water
• Safe Drinking Water Projects (Treatment, Distribution)
Examples of EIT Eligible “Green Projects”
Energy Production -must
be connected
directly to a CW/DW
activity
•
Power
•
Wind
•
Solar
•
Geothermal Power
•
Micro-Hydroelectric
•
Biogas and CHP
Systems
Rain / Stormwater
•
Permeable Pavement
•
Bioretention
•
Green Roofs
•
Grey Water Use
•
Xeriscape
•
Constructed Wetlands
•
Stormwater Harvesting
•
Stormwater Reuse
Projects
•
Establishment or
Restoration of:
•
Riparian buffers
•
Floodplains
•
Wetlands and other
Natural Features
•
•
•
•
•
Installing Water Efficient
Devices
Installing Water Meters in
Previously Unmetered
Areas
Retrofitting / Adding Leak
Detection Equipment
Recycling and Water
Reuse Projects as related
to replacing potable
sources with non-potable
sources.
Retrofit or replace
landscape irrigation
systems.
Why Borrow Through NJEIT?
AAA / Aaa Loan Rate Comparisons
9.0%
Low “net” rate = blend of DEP 0% rate
and AAA “market” rate
8.0%
7.0%
6.0%
5.0%
4.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
20 yr. savings on $1mm Borrowed:
~ $120,000 / each 1% saved
0.0%
NJEIT 50% / 50%
NJEIT 75% / 25%
AAA New Jersey Municipal Bond Rate
Additional Benefits…
Lower all-in financing costs
•Economies of scale in co-mingled pool. Borrowers pay
proportionate share of issuance fees (rating agency,
underwriter, trustee, etc.). Equates to lower cost/borrower
Capitalized interest / Deferred Payments
•Borrowers may capitalize Interest and defer repayment of
Principal costs during construction… until completion of the
project, up to six months after construction ( not to exceed 3
years from the loan)
Interim financing
•0% financing is available to municipal borrowers (2% to
Private Entities / Utilities) prior to long-term loan funding,
providing timing flexibility for shovel-ready projects
… And MUCH more …
Resources
• USEPA Green Infrastructure web page
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/index.cfm
• Implementing Watershed-Based Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management:
Case Study in Blacksburg, Virginia
http://www.cabellbrandcenter.org/Downloads/sr452009.pdf
• NYC Green Infrastructure Plan, A sustainable Strategy for Clean Waterways
http://www.georgetownclimate.org/resources/nyc-green-infrastructure-plan-asustainable-strategy-for-clean-waterways
• Rooftops to Rivers, Green Strategies for Controlling Stormwater and Combined Sewer
Overflows http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/rooftops/contents.asp
• The Value of Green Infrastructure for Urban Climate Adaptation
http://www.cakex.org/virtual-library/value-green-infrastructure-urban-climateadaptation
• A Triple Bottom Line Assessment of Traditional and Green Infrastructure Options for
Controlling CSO Events in Philadelphia's Watersheds
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/gi_phil_bottomline.pdf
Contact Information
• http://www.njstormwater.org/
• http://www.njstormwater.org/bmp_manual2.htm
• Michele N. Siekerka, Esq. Asst. Comm. 609-292-4543
Michele.Siekerka@dep.state.nj.us
• Adriana Caldarelli 609-984-3660
Adriana.Caldarelli@dep.state.nj.us
• Sandy Blick 609-633-7045
Sandra.Blick@dep.state.nj.us