Soak it up! Neighbourhood action to reduce flooding. Sharyn Inward, LEED AP Green Communities Canada
Today s presentation RAIN Community Solutions Challenges and barriers Solutions-based approaches Case studies and inspiration Groundbreakers program Neighbourhood engagement Practical advice for homeowners Next steps
RAIN Community Solutions A project of Green Communities Canada. Community engagement to manage rain where it falls. Save money Reduce flood risk Protect our water
Challenges and barriers Existing infrastructure and competing uses Shrinking budgets during recession Multiple departments and stakeholders Lack of capacity It won t work here attitude
Solutions-based approach Positive, memorable messaging Get community onside Educate decision makers Use peer to peer networking Demonstrate cost savings Seek out community champions (residents and municipal staff) Do demos and depaves to get attention. Make it fun. Assume we have no choice and get on with it (status quo is not working either) Make managing rain where if falls the new normal Offer incentives
Demonstrate community benefits Public safety Flood reduction Cooling Open beaches Healthy fishery Beautification Walkability
Demonstrate benefits for developers More space for building lots Integrated design process/charrettes Expedited approvals Floor area bonus Beautification premium Green sells
Build Green Streets Portland policy: all city-funded road work Seattle: selected areas Mississauga resolution Toronto: integrated with Complete Streets Swale on Yale (runoff from 400 acres, Seattle)
Alleys, schools, parks, parking lots Green Alleys (LA, Chicago, Montreal) GreenP (Toronto) Piggy back on schoolyard greening
Adopt infiltration standards Design standard (15-25mm) Offsite options, trading, greened acres Stormwater retention credits/incentives Area of permeable vs hard surfaces (Philadelphia 1/3) Pollutant loadings
12,000 Rain Gardens, Seattle Incentives and grants Independent or workbee model Neighbourhood engagement Pollution prevention led to flood prevention ~2000 built to date
Miracle on Elmer Ave, Los Angeles Flood stricken neighbourhood became an urban forest/oasis Diverted $42 million from storm drain proposal to neighbourhood scale retrofits Numerous partners Public works and neighourhood treeplanting workbees Problem solved (completed 2006)
Green Living Coop, Tuscon, WMG Drought focus led to flood prevention 6 retrofits in 2007 302 retrofits in 2015 1158 retrofits in total Rain gardens and harvesting tanks Cooperative installation model Always celebrate! Expanded to Phoenix
RainReady, Chicago, CNT Midlothian Floodloathian Comprehensive community engagement Sharing flooding stories RainReady Midlothian Plan Home assessments Deep retrofits Has attracted millions from all levels of government.
RAIN community engagement Workshops Presentations Special events Demonstrations Contractor training Depaving Work bees Home visits/site specific advice Community survey Tours
Groundbreaker neighbourhoods Neighbourhood of greatest need Partner with City and homeowners association Go door-to-door Offer prizes and fun events Neighbourhood walk around/tour Open forum Neighbourhood revisioning/charrette Site specific advice Work bees Evaluation
Around the house: understanding path of run-off eaves, downspouts, flat roofs storm sewer grills paved areas grading, landscaping, infiltration tree canopy, leaves foundation window wells foundation/basements backflow prevention pollution prevention
Common red flags: Areas that slope towards the foundation Basement smells Downspouts empty at the foundation Overflowing eaves Gravel next to the foundation Poorly installed rain barrels Lowest building on the street Built on a floodplain or an area with a high water table Masonry or fieldstone foundation
Tips for homeowners: Know the path of run-off Clear storm drains Clean and repair eavestroughs Direct downspouts 8 away and downslope Regrade around your property Increase permeability Get a rainbarrel(s) Check your basement often (sump pump, storage up off the floor, furniture on legs) When renovating use non-absorbent finishes
A word about rain barrels:
Why us? experts in community engagement award-winning team leverage other funding ($3 million to date) we get results 150 events 15,000 people engaged face-to-face 10 communities 500 home visits millions of M 3 diverted
Next steps www.raincommunitysolutions.ca Soak it Up! Toolkit Umbrella Bulletin (monthly e- news) Talk to decision makers and community organizers about hosting RAIN Community Solutions Learn more at webinars, trainings Retrofit your own property and place of work (lead by example)