NJ Future Forum 2012 Flooding Levine
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Smart, Green Solutions to a Major Water Pollution Challenge Controlling Flooding, Stopping Runoff Pollution and Sewer Overflows Larry Levine, NRDC
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The dramatic increase in the number of recent flooding incidents in New Jersey raises important questions about where development should occur and how to plan and prepare for these events. As floodplain maps change, so do regulatory and design considerations, not to mention the added insurance risks to redeveloping in these locations. This session will look at current weather trends and how they will affect redeveloping communities, as well as explore innovative approaches to stormwater management, with a spotlight on Philadelphia’s Green Infrastructure Plan.
Transcript of NJ Future Forum 2012 Flooding Levine
Smart, Green Solutions to a Major Water Pollution Challenge
Controlling Flooding, Stopping Runoff Pollution and Sewer Overflows
Larry Levine, NRDC
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Urban Stormwater Runoff: Pollutants
bacteria
heavy metals
pesticides suspended solids
nutrients
trash
Combined Sewer Overflows
Image: Seattle Public Utilities
Newtown Creek, BrooklynImage: Riverkeeper
Urban Stormwater Runoff: Flooding effects
(NOAA, National Weather Service)
Urban Stormwater Runoff: impairment
Ballona Creek, Los Angeles (California Coastal Commission)
Los Angeles River (City of Los Angeles)
Green Infrastructure as a solution:What is Green Infrastructure?
Portland streetscapePhoto courtesy of Martina Keefe
Navy Yard BioretentionPhoto courtesy of LID Center
Portland’s stormwater street planters. Photo courtesy of the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services. NRDC, Stormwater Strategies
Permeable Pavement, City of Portland, BESChicago City Hall Green Roof. Photo courtesy of Roofscapes, Inc.
Green Infrastructure as a solution:Other non-water benefits
• Reduced energy use• Increased property values• Improved air quality• Lower air temperature• Reduced urban heat island effect• Conservation of water
$2.4
Billion
Philadelphia’s Green City Clean Water Initiative (Before)
Philadelphia’s Green City Clean Water Initiative (After)
CONTINUED....
The Philadelphia Story: Green City Clean Waters
• Over the next 25 years, Philly is committed to deploying the most comprehensive network of green infrastructure found in any U.S. city.
• Plan is unique among US cities because it:
o Requires that thousands of acres be retrofitted with green infrastructure, citywide. At least one-third of impervious area served by combined sewer
system transformed into “greened acres” -- nearly 10,000 acres.
The Philadelphia Story: Green City Clean Waters
o Invests more in green infrastructure than in traditional (“gray”) infrastructure.
At least $1.67 billion -- potentially up to $2 billion – for greened acres.
o Relies on green infrastructure for a majority of the required reductions in sewage overflows.
o Leverages investments from the private sector to help satisfy pollution reduction requirements.
Substantial portion of greened acres will come from redevelopment projects, which must meet local stormwater performance standards.
Plan dovetails with various programs that incentivize private property owners to retrofit existing development – including stormwater fees and credits.
...CONTINUED
Overview: Rooftops to Rivers II
• Demonstrates how cities use green infrastructure to improve stormwater management and achieve multiple benefits.
• The report includes:– Economic benefits of green
infrastructure– Case studies on 14 cities – Encouragement for EPA to
learn from the work of these cities and advance these solutions nationwide
NRDC’s Emerald City Metric
Questions?
www.nrdc.org/rooftops
switchboard.nrdc.org – search: “green infrastructure”
