Learn about tools like the Green Infrastructure Portfolio Standard, how to set a measurable goal and implement your project, and address challenges in financing.
1. Creating a Green Stormwater
Infrastructure Program
Gary Belan
Senior Director, Clean Water Supply Program
February 9th, 2016
2. That range will increase with climate
change
Dry
More frequent
and intense
droughts
More frequent
and intense
storms
Many places will also experience
a shifting average.
Wet
3. Resilience in an age of
climate change
Dry Wet
This will require significant changes in
policies and practices as well as innovation
and cooperation.
Level of resilience must increase to
account for climate change
4. What is One Water?
The One Water approach considers the urban water cycle as a
single integrated system, in which all urban water flows are
recognized as potential resources, and the interconnectedness of
water supply, groundwater, stormwater and wastewater is
optimized, and their combined impact on flooding, water
quality, wetlands, watercourses, estuaries and coastal waters are
recognized.
Integrated Water Management
“One Water”
5. WERF Sustainable Integrated Water Management
Challenge
Optimize:
Green Infrastructure
implementation through
analysis of co-benefits,
maintenance needs, and
gathering performance data.
Transition:
Alternative Water
Sources and
Integrated Planning
into practice through
developing Tools, Permitting
Guides, and Technical
Requirements for new
technologies.
Transform:
Watershed
Management through
engagement of partners
including Urban Planners,
Agricultural Operations, and
Forestry Programs & other
stakeholders.
Need for Innovative Institutions
6. Stormwater control measures that harvest,
infiltrate, and evapotranspirate
stormwater are “critical to reducing the
volume and pollutant loading of small
storms.”
- National Research Council Report,
2008
Rain barrel, Delaware
County, PA
Green roof, Heinz Center,
Pittsburgh, PA Rain garden, Portland, OR
Green Infrastructure BMP’s
9. 1. Outreach
2. Metrics and Goals
3. Local Policy
4. Implementation
5. Maintenance
6. Valuing and Financing
Elements of a Green Infrastructure
Program
11. Public Outreach
Starters
Rain garden initiatives
Rain barrel sales
Community workshops
Scouting projects
More involved
Municipal Task Force
Integration with
Sustainability or Climate
Change Plans
Development of Green
Infrastructure Plans
15. This task force should be broad and collaborative
Initially it should include all relevant city agencies, but can
be broadened to include non-governmental partners
Examples:
Sustainability Director
Chief Engineer
City Development Director
Director Department of Public Works
Director Parks Department
Director of City Transportation/Transportation Engineer
City GIS and mapping team members
Establish a task force
17. Examples:
Reducing the number of combined sewer overflows
Improving water quality
Increase in green space
More specific metrics will come later. It’s important to
know what your are trying to accomplish first
Green Infrastructure Portfolio Standard
bit.ly/1QRuMFa
Commit to a broad measurable goal
18. Based on experience in the first year
What percentage of our baseline are we expecting to
capture?
How replicable is this from year to year?
Establish an annual goal based on this analysis that is
achievable yet moves the bar
1%-2% annual reduction is our recommendation
Reasonable to do some averaging over a series of years
do to construction timelines
Establish an annual goal
19. Benefits of a GI Portfolio Standard
Advantages similar to Renewable Portfolio Standards:
• Long-term program: 10 – 20 years or more
• Small annual goals: 1% – 2% per year
• Flexible: allows use of infiltration, evapotranspiration
and harvesting water for reuse
• Gives staff the ability to plan ahead, learn from
experience, adjust
• Cost effective way to make progress
• Green Infrastructure Portfolio Standard
bit.ly/1QRuMFa
20. Progress toward meeting GIPS goal is based upon designed
performance, and not actual performance of installed green
infrastructure. Obtaining actual retention data through
empirical testing is encouraged where practicable, as this
will allow a municipality to:
1.Confirm design criteria and intended benefits;
2.Measure additional benefits and adjust performance goals
as necessary;
3.Demonstrate value of investment in infrastructure, and
may:
4.Help to meet current or future regulatory requirements.
Monitor Progress
22. Permitting Green Infrastructure: A Guide to
Improving Municipal Stormwater Permits and
Protecting Water Quality
MS4 Permit types with Green Infrastructure
Components
E.g. Standard Based on Percentile Storm,
Comparable to E.I.S.A. Section 438
Excerpts from Public Comment Letters on MS4
Permits
Link at: http://bit.ly/1TOT9pE
Municipal Stormwater Permits
23. I. Why local stormwater controls can be
effective
II. Understanding the political landscape
III. Choosing a local policy
IV. Understanding key components of your
stormwater ordinance
V. Mobilizing Community Support
Local Water Policy
(More of a guide than a tool)
http://bit.ly/1QpwtHd
24. 1. Review current zoning code for regulatory barriers and
quick improvements
2. Some zoning codes are “prescriptive” – requiring the
use particular design features to control stormwater.
3. Take additional measures to reduce impervious
surfaces
4. Promote the use of Specific LID Techniques
5. Use “Overlay Districts” to add new requirements to
existing zoning districts
The following Ten Guidelines are intended to guide you
in the selection of potential stormwater measures.
25. The other half….
6. Create standards to improve
stormwater management in developed
areas
7. Address the storage and use of
pollutants that may come in contact
with stormwater
8. Create and protect buffers for water
resources
9. Require LID techniques for municipal
projects
10. Connect zoning decisions to a
comprehensive plan
26. EPA’s Water Quality Score Card
www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/water-quality-scorecard
27. This scorecard is a locally controlled self-assessment and
guide for better incorporating green infrastructure
practices at the municipal, neighborhood, and site scales.
Best if multiple departments are involved.
Documents needed include:
Zoning Ordinances
Subdivision Codes
Street Standards or Design Guidelines
Parking Requirements
Setbacks
Height Limitations
Open Space or Natural Resource Plans
Comprehensive Plans
Policy: The Scorecard
30. Implementation
Have a plan
Choose the right contractor
Choose the right designer
Be aware of compaction
Link at:
www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/bmp-im/
31. Aspects to consider
Site selection
BMP Selection
Soil media selection
Proper Storage Volume
Calculated
33. Was it built correctly?
Does designed storage volume match actual storage volume?
Are maintenance requirements properly understood?
Function
Aesthetics
Safety
Costs of Maintenance
Annual inspection and maintenance on sand filter - $1500
Cost to reconstruct sand filter: $30,000
Maintenance
Staying Green: Strategies to Improve Operations and Maintenance of
Green Infrastructure in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
http://bit.ly/1omelat
34. Other Considerations:
BMP’s need:
Regular inspection
Protection from sediment
Regular trash cleaning
Watch out for:
Confining layers in
bioretention , particularly
during construction
(construction sequence is
key).
Clogged outlets
Cattails
Clogged permeable
pavement (please vacuum).
NCSU BMP Inspection and Maintenance
Certification Program
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/bmp-im/
36. Financing Insecurity
Loans and grants go to
“old” infrastructure
Bonds support large
capital projects
Ratepayers can’t fund
maintenance, let alone
innovation
Problem : Communities challenged to finance sustainable
infrastructure that meets current and future needs.
37. Key Challenges:
Identify new financing
techniques for
sustainable
infrastructure
Directing private capital
toward sustainable
water management
Build new partnerships
Link at: http://bit.ly/1TQmjEM
38. Local Government Stormwater Financing Manual by
Environmental Finance Center:
http://bit.ly/1Se5bcu
Economic Value of Riparian Buffers
http://bit.ly/20IFhCM
Funding Green Infrastructure in PA
http://bit.ly/23V4ed8
Incentivizing Clean Water: A Great Lakes guide to
incentivizing green infrastructure through stormwater
credit programs.
Financing Resources
41. Valuing Green Infrastructure:
How does it work?
This guide focuses only on benefits – It’s not a cost/benefit analysis
Two step process –
1. Quantification
2. Valuation
Focus of equations on 4 areas
1. Water
2. Energy
3. Air Quality
4. Climate Change
42. Seems small,
but when you add it up:
A recent analysis of Lancaster,
PA’s green infrastructure plan
(both current and planned green
infrastructure) show estimated
total benefits over 25 years at
approximately:
$127,000,000
The bulk of this came in reduced
infrastructure needs.
Case study at:
http://1.usa.gov/1o0shHs
43. Full life-cycle analysis beyond scope of this guide
This includes O&M
Local Performance and Regional Impacts need to be
considered
Spatial scaling limitations
For larger projects, a discounting analysis is
recommended
Prices in some of the equations may have some
variability
Double Counting
Valuing Green Infrastructure:
Limitations
