Regional Planning for Green Infrastructure Retrofits Growing Green Infrastructure in NYS SUNY ESF Session 1: Planning –

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

3 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 Credits

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

5 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

6 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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8 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

9 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

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

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

12 Source: “Storm Tank”

13 Stormwater Retrofit Examples Right of Way –Pavement reduction (narrower roads, sidewalks one side) –Porous Pavement (road, parking, sidewalk, driveway approaches) –Depressed boulevards –Curb bump outs –Infiltration Basins, Tree boxes Bioretention –Soakaways, Infiltration Trenchs, and Chambers –Swales –Perforated Pipe Systems Retrofitting existing facilities deemed to be inadequate –Poor-performing stormwater retention/detention ponds

14 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

15 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

16 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

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

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

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

20 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 Site Criteria and Score Rank Score Water Quality Improvement ScoreCostScore AMedium5$10,00085*2+8*1=18 BHigh10$15,000510*2+5*1=15 CLow1$8,000101*2+10*1=12 Table Source: Stearns & Wheler LLC EXAMPLE

21 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

22 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

23 In Conclusion Many of our retrofit sketches will likely fall under the scale of “demonstration projects” as opposed to a focused neighborhood or sub-watershed approach –“Spread the wealth” approachChallenge will be in follow- through on implementation In the future, more geographically-focused projects may be the best bet Expect that the experience in itself will be beneficial to local stormwater managers

24 Questions? Contact Information Brian C. Slack, AICP Senior Planner – G/FLRPC Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development Evaluation and Implementation Plan