From the American Society of Landscape Architecture…

ASLA Applauds Bill’s Sustainable Approach to Infrastructure Development.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced a campaign to rally support for new Senate legislation designed to encourage green infrastructure - a novel, sustainable approach that uses natural systems of trees, plants and soils to manage rainwater instead of the overburdened and outdated infrastructure that currently exists in cities.

In most instances, rainwater picks up pollutants as it flows from driveways, parking lots, roofs and roadways before pouring untreated through the sewer system into the nearest watershed or drinking water supply. Introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Udall, the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act (S.3561) offers grants and technical assistance for communities to use green roofs, rain gardens and other sustainable approaches that naturally capture and clean the rainwater - often preventing the water from ever entering the sewer system.

Green infrastructure techniques can save cities millions of dollars each year on water management and billions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades. In addition, these natural systems actually remove pollutants from the water while helping clean the air, reduce the urban heat-island effect and lower energy consumption. We applaud the leadership of Senator Udall for this legislation, and encourage swift action.

–Nancy Somerville, ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO

The legislation would create between three and five centers around the country to research best green infrastructure practices and provide technical assistance to communities. S.3561 also provides community grants to implement these practices and create a green infrastructure program within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Learn how to Get Involved in ASLA’s Campaign for Green Infrastructure>>

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In the wake of PA DEPs new budget cutbacks, our understanding is that PA DEP officials are still evaluating how the massive budget cuts are going to impact specific DEP programs.  A revised detailed budget hasn’t been released by DEP, and many critical questions remain.

StormwaterPA is not clear, for example, what the apparent deletion of the “stormwater” line item means for the total stormwater program.  Are we looking at the elimination of any 167 planning matches, or something far more  severe?  We have been told that optional projects such as the BMP Manual Revision Committee, which has been described and discussed in this blog in recent weeks, are no longer being supported by PA DEP staff, offices, and budgets, although sub-group meetings are continuing (more discussion on this below).

In the midst of so many stormwater-related program changes from Chapter 102 to MS4/NPDES Phase II to the BMP Manual itself, impacts of budget cutbacks and staff reductions would seem especially dangerous…

Status of the BMP Manual Revision and Activities of sub-group Committee

The nine sub-groups designated by PA DEP as part of the Manual Revision Committee will continue to meet, though in an unofficial capacity with no guarantees that any of their work or recommendations will have an impact on the Manual as it currently reads.

StormwaterPA  welcomes any news that results from these efforts and is more than happy to provide a forum for discussion.  Write to us, Sub-Group Scribes, so we can keep all stakeholders informed! You can email us at info@stormwaterpa.org

As an example of what may come out of these meetings: we attended the recent (October 27) Capture and Re-Use sub-Group meeting outside of Allentown (Newton Engineering Group offices) ,where the discussion was far-reaching and explored the concept of adding another technology, spray irrigation, to this BMP itself or to the broader BMP list.

The DEP regional office and other sub-group members described extensive use of spray irrigation as a technique for stormwater volume control, especially in areas such as super-sensitive mined lands where infiltration BMPs for volume control could entail serious groundwater problems (i.e., increased acid mine drainage).  Clearly, Pennsylvania has large areas where such groundwater sensitivities exist and where a spray BMP could provide a useful stormwater management answer.  Though the Capture and Re-Use Sub-Group has yet to compile its recommendations for forwarding to DEP, this is an interesting example of adding to the Manual and making it more comprehensive…

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As previously noted in our September posts, PA DEP has convened a BMP Manual Revision Committee. In their notification to attendees, they noted that

… recommended updates may include edits to existing portions, complete omissions, or additions of new material.  All changes much be justified through acceptable principles of engineering or science.  If unable, to do so, subgroups may bring new ideas before the bigger committee for consideration and feedback.

Following is PA DEPs statement on the focus of this  Sub-Group, as presented at the first Committee Meeting:

Capture and Reuse (C&R) is one of three volume control alternatives offered by the BMP Manual, however there is no guidance given on how to equate volume and peak attenuation for these measures.  There have been some different approaches on this topic from across the state that can hopefully be considered as part of this endeavor.

Modeling approach:

Event-based modeling (w/ longer dewatering time - up to 7 days)   or  annual water budget approach?  Which is best?  Can criteria be given for both.  (Also see Subgroup Topic B)

Questions:

• How can a private residence take into account a rain barrel or cistern?   Should a bleeder hose into a vegetated area be mandatory in order to receive credit?
• Can treated sewage (effluent) and stormwater runoff be utilized together for land application?   Can they be stored together?
• What other creative ways can C&R be utilized into a typical land development project?   Can this water be bled into vegetated systems such as a rain garden during non-wet weather?

Subgroup should develop a thought process for C&R Projects since many practitioners are not used to incorporating them into their designs.

For starters, here are some typical steps that could be followed:

• The first step would be to identify the type of water reuse (residential, commercial, golf course, industrial, etc.).   Is the project laid out in a manner that makes C&R feasible?   Is there sufficient space/topography for both storage and application of stormwater?
• The second step would be to determine consumptive use (or reuse).   What are the variables?  Does this vary by day, week, month or season?
• The next step would be to determine the application rate.  For land application, this would depend on soils, topography etc.

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