EPA’s Green Infrastructure Program 1 February 2015 Chris Kloss US EPA Office of Water

Why the Interest in Green Infrastructure? Wet weather events (i.e., stormwater runoff) impair water quality by causing sewer overflows and contributing significant pollutant loads from MS4s. Combined sewer systems in more than 700 municipalities in 31 states and the District of Columbia discharge an estimated 850 billion gallons of CSOs each year. In 2011, stormwater caused more than 10,950 beach closing and advisory days (47% of total); sewage spills and overflows caused more than 1,500 (6%). Investment needs estimated to be several hundred billion dollars. American Society of Civil Engineers, (2010), Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. U.S. EPA, (2010), Clean Watersheds Need Survey: 2008 Report to Congress, Office of Wastewater Management, EPA 832-F Natural Resources Defense Council, Testing the Waters, Street flooding after ½” rainfall in Ocean City, NJ, August 9,

Why the Interest in Green Infrastructure? Green infrastructure can significantly reduce stormwater runoff volumes & peak flows – critical for CSO control and addressing the water quality impacts of stormwater. Provides additional community benefits:  Reduces heat island effect  Improves air quality  Provides wildlife habitat and recreational space  Improves energy efficiency  Improves urban aesthetics  Increases property values  Often less expensive than conventional approaches 3

Climate Impacts on Water Resources Decrease in the duration and extent of snow cover in most of North America Increase in the frequency of heavy precipitation events across the U.S. Increase in streamflow in the eastern U.S. Decrease in annual precipitation in the Central Rockies and Southwest Decrease in mountain snow water equivalent in Western North America Decrease in runoff and streamflow in the Colorado and Columbia River basins Decrease in the proportion of precipitation falling as snow in the West Increase in the periods of drought in the West Decrease of 25-40% by 2050 and potentially 70-90% 2100 of the Sierra snowpack Prettyboy Reservoir, Maryland during 2002 drought. Photo courtesy of National Weather Service. Bryson B. Bates, Z.W. Kundzewicz, S. Wu, and J.P. Palutikof, Eds., Climate Change and Water, Technical Paper of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC Secretariat, Geneva, David S. Beckman, N. Garrison, R.C. Wilkinson, and R. Horner, A Clear Blue Future: How Greening California Cities Can Address Water Resources and Climate Challenges in the 21 st Century, Natural Resources Defense Council, August

Water Supply Sustainability Source: NRDC,

U.S. Water Supply Universal access to potable water supplies. World’s 2 nd highest per capita use: ~ twice that of Europe. Average >150 gal/day per capita. A.Y. Hoekstra and A.K. Chapagain, Water Footprints of Nations: Water Use by People as a Function of Their Consumption Pattern, Water Resources Management (2007) 21:

Water Use 7

Integrating Green Infrastructure Seattle bioswale. Photo courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities. Bioretention Cell in El Monte, CA. Photo courtesy of Bill DePoto. Permeable pavement and bioretention in Albuquerque, NM. Photo courtesy of AridLID.org. 8

9 Syracuse Connective Corridor Part of the Save the Rain CSO Program. Creates a visual and physical link along the major street connections between Syracuse University and the downtown business districts. Uses tree trenches and porous pavement in traffic-calming designs that feature bicycle lanes, landscape buffers between vehicular and enhanced pedestrian zones. Connective Corridor Phase 1, Project 1: University Ave, Onondaga County, NY.

Lancaster, PA Green Alley 10% Added Cost + 200,000 gallons captured/year Green alley retrofit (permeable pavers with infiltration) trench) Before (July 2011) ~$20.30/SF After (February 2012) ~$22.40/SF Conventional reconstruction (8-inch reinforced concrete) Green alley retrofit (permeable pavers with infiltration) trench)

Parks Brandon Park; Lancaster, PA Cliveden Park; Philadelphia, PA

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Increasing Resiliency with Green Infrastructure Flooding – Menomonee River revitalized brownfield site now mitigates impacts of localized flooding up to the 100 year storm event. – 70 acre stormwater park provides a high-value community recreation asset. Groundwater recharge – LA study indicated that BMPs could produce benefit of additional groundwater supplies that have a 2005 value of $7.2 billion (Devinny et. al. (2005)) Menomonee River Green Infrastructure Project, Milwaukee, WI. Photo Courtesy of MMSD. 13

Syracuse War Memorial Arena The War Memorial project is the first system in the country designed to use harvested rainwater (15,000 gallon cistern system) for a hockey rink and is one of only a handful around the world 14

Green Infrastructure Collaborative 15 Launched October 8 th. Intended to leverage efforts, build knowledge, and facilitate more rapid adoption. 30 organizations have signed on to work with federal family to advance green infrastructure.

Green Infrastructure Collaborative 16 Federal letter of support introduced July 16, 2014 Seven federal agencies identified activities that they will undertake to lead by example and promote local green infrastructure use.

17 Green Infrastructure Provides Place-Based Solutions Reintroduces community green space and recreational opportunities. Provides climate resilient and adaptive approaches. Allows infrastructure investments to occur in coordinated fashion. Connects urban population to the natural environment. Integrates into other land-use programs and strategies. Creates local job opportunities. Photo above: Stormwater management and urban community garden in Kansas City, MO. Photo courtesy of Tetra Tech. Photo to left: Planter Boxes & Vegetated Curb Extensions in Kansas City, MO. Photo courtesy of TetraTech.

NY Estimated O&M Costs 18

Job Opportunities 19 Prince George’s County’s plan to meet the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. – $1 billion over 10 years. – Plan would also create more than 5,000 new jobs focused on green infrastructure and the county will need 40,000 stormwater devices: rain barrels, rain gardens, water-absorbing sidewalks. – Will potentially spur the development of a “green” industry in the county.