Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure. Township Council Byram Township April 19, 2016

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1 Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure Township Council Byram Township April 19, 2016

2 About New Jersey Future. Research Policy Advocacy Assistance

3 The Growing Problem Heavier, more frequent storms More pavement Old pipes More stormwater Frequent nuisance flooding Street closings Property damage Polluted water Damaged infrastructure

4 A Powerful Tool: Green Infrastructure An approach to managing stormwater by infiltrating it in the ground where it is generated, using vegetation or porous surfaces or by capturing it for later reuse. (Rutgers) Bio-retention / Rain Garden Permeable Pavement Street Trees / Tree Pits Vegetated Swale Green Roof Cistern

5 Stormwater Management and More Environment: Returns clean water to aquifer Supports pollinators and other beneficial wildlife Cools and cleans the air, mitigating heat island effect Society: Green features support walkable communities, provide for outdoor recreation and community gardens People are happier and healthier living in places with trees and greenways Economy: Higher property value; more foot traffic Capital expense savings Sustains green jobs; less $ to maintain Takes pressure off gray infrastructure

6 Not Rocket Science, but Green stormwater infrastructure is not like gray infrastructure; it s fundamentally different. Treats water as a precious resource. Infiltration, groundwater recharge, re-use. Proper design, proper installation and proper maintenance are all imperative. Requires a multi-disciplinary team civil engineer, landscape architect, soil expert.

7 New Jersey Future s Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure project Ø Convening/cultivating a Green Infrastructure Task Force of developers and design professionals Ø Facilitating and accelerating demonstration projects that show innovative, impressive, effective use of green infrastructure Ø Working with a few key towns to provide education, training and direct technical assistance to improve water quality, reduce flooding and sustain vibrant, healthy communities.

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9 Who and What Who: Byram leaders, staff & professionals; community NJ Future and a team of experts: engineering (Meliora Design), planning (Clark Caton Hintz), landscape architecture (Viridian), legal Nonprofit partners: Rutgers - RCE Center for Water Resources, ANJEC, Wallkill River Watershed Management Group What: Education and training Impervious coverage assessment and feasibility study to identify specific project opportunities, given local needs and challenges Engineering and specifications for a local project Review and advice re improvements to stormwater and land use ordinances, and project review process Action Plan and implementation

10 What next? Regional workshop for municipal leaders April 27, Lake Hopatcong Senior Center Regional workshop for engineers and developers peer to peer May 26, Centenary College Resolution of Engagement Memorandum of Understanding

11 The point ü Protect water quality and water supply ü Address specific challenges identified by Byram ü Make Byram a statewide leader in stormwater management by implementing green infrastructure in public and private projects ü Achieve Triple Bottom Line benefits: environment, society, economy

12 Questions?

13 Thank You! Louise Wilson Green Infrastructure Manager New Jersey Future 16 W. LafayeRe Street Trenton, N.J