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Using Green Infrastructure to Maximize Restoration BenefitsBrian Hazelwood, Conservation Associate

Jessie Thomas-Blate, Associate Director of River RestorationCredit: Nancy Arazon

Delaware Estuary Science & Environmental Summit 2017

W hy Do This?

Healthy river… or closer to it

Framework Development Goals

• Use Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) to enhance restoration benefits

• ID Top GSI projects for use by Delaware Basin organizations and/or municipal staff

• Establish repeatable and transferable process and associated resources for use throughout the watershed

Credit: USDA

Selecting Ideal Restoration Projects for Companion GSI

• Compile list of potential restoration sites

• Answer questions such as:• Could the goals of the restoration project be

encouraged, enhanced, or sustained by GSI?

• Consider relationships of project in context:• Project goal similarities between restoration and

GSI• Location of restoration project in watershed • % impervious surface at site• Factors limiting infiltration

Where Do We Go From Here?

Desktop Analysis

• Examine topographic maps

• Use maps/photos to spot possible retrofit sites

• Obtain GIS files of parcel boundaries

• Score your potential parcels

Field Reconnaissance

• Visit the site in person to identify constraints and barriers

• Identify potential indirect benefits of the project

• Wiki Watershed's "Model My Watershed"

Selecting CompanionGSI Projects

• Public vs. private landowners

• Vacant/abandoned lots

• Properties with high imperviousness

• Large parcels with moderate imperviousness

• Existing SWM controls for retrofit

• Go into WikiWatershed’s "Model My Watershed" Module

• Using the "Draw Area" or "Delineate Watershed" features, define the site boundary

• Run "Site Storm Model" for 24 hour 2.5 cm (~1 inch) precipitation event

• Use scenarios to conceptualize GSI control alternatives

Estimating Runoff and Pollutant Removal

• Estimated “cost per volume” or pollutant reduction

• Existing use

• Community sentiments

• Project feasibility

Using Your Results

• Review Compendium of Resources for information on codes, policies, and funding resources

• Meet with municipalities and landowners

• Begin project implementation

For More Information

• Brian Hazelwood, Conservation Associate• Phone: (717) 763-0743• Email: bhazelwood@americanrivers.org

• Jessie Thomas-Blate, Associate Director of River Restoration• Phone: (202) 347-7550• Email: jthomas@americanrivers.org

We would like to extend a special thank you to our

funder, the William Penn Foundation!

www.americanrivers.org