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Green Infrastructure in New JerseyReducing Stormwater Impacts in MS4 Communities
Presented at the
Center for Watershed Protection National Watershed and
Stormwater Conference at Temple University Ambler Campus
Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E.
www.water.rutgers.edu
April 4, 2017
Water Resources Program
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) helps the diverse
population of New Jersey adapt to a rapidly changing
society and improves their lives through an educational
process that uses science-based knowledge.
Water Resources Program
Our mission is to
identify and address
community water
resources issues
using sustainable
and practical
science-based
solutions.
Water Resources Program
More
development
More impervious
surfaces
More stormwater
runoff
10% 20% 30% 55%
The Impact of Development on
Stormwater Runoff
Reference: Tom Schueler and Lisa Fraley-McNeal, Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, May 23 and 24, 2008
Green Infrastructure…an approach to stormwater
management that is cost-effective,
sustainable, and environmentally
friendly Green Infrastructure projects:
• capture
• filter
• absorb
• reuse
stormwater to maintain or mimic natural
systems and treat runoff as a resource
Green Infrastructure includes:
• green roofs
• rainwater harvesting
• tree filter/planter boxes
• rain gardens/
bioretention systems
• permeable pavements
• vegetated swales or
bioswales
• green streets
Parker Urban Greenscapes. 2009.
Water Resources Program
Q1: Where can we put green infrastructure?
• Regional Stormwater Management Plans
(NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection)
• Watershed Restoration Plans (EPA)
• Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plans
(Clean Water Act)
• Impervious Cover Reduction Action Plans
(RAPs)
$$$$
$$$$
$$$ - $$$$
$
Water Resources Program
Q2: How do we engage the community?
• Regional Stormwater Management
Planning Committee and Lead
Planning Agency
• Watershed Restoration Planning
Committee
• TMDL Stakeholder Meetings
• Impervious Cover Assessment (ICA)
$$$$
$$$$
$
$
Water Resources Program
Impervious Cover
Assessment
Water Resources Program
Impervious Cover Assessment
• Analysis completed by watershed and by
municipality
• Use 2012 Land Use data to determine
impervious cover
• Calculate runoff volumes for water quality, 2, 10
and 100 year design storm and annual rainfall
• Contain three concept designs
Barren Land
4.2%
Forest
5.2%
Urban
79.1%
Water
10.1%
Wetlands
1.4%
Commercial
13.2%
High Density
Residential
40.2%
Industrial
26.2%
Mixed Urban
8.7%
Recreational
Land
5.6%
Transportation/Infrastructure
6.1%
WatershedTotal Area
(ac)
Impervious
Cover (ac)%
Arthur
Kill Waterfront1,099 568 51.9%
Raritan Bay 38.7 0.00 0.0%
Lower Raritan
River1,336 618 58.3%
Woodbridge
Creek839.0 381 46.3%
Total 3,312 1,567 52.6%
Subwatershed
NJ Water
Quality
Storm
(MGal)
Annual
Rainfall
of 44"
(MGal)
2-Year
Design
Storm
(3.3”)
(MGal)
10-Year
Design
Storm (5.0”)
(MGal)
100-Year
Design
Storm (8.2”)
(MGal)
Arthur
Kill Waterfront19.3 678.6 50.9 78.7 132.6
Raritan Bay 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Lower Raritan
River21.0 738.3 55.4 85.6 144.3
Woodbridge
Creek12.9 455.2 34.1 52.8 89.0
Total 53.2 1,872 140.4 217.0 366
Water Resources Program
WE LOOK HERE FIRST:
Schools
Churches
Libraries
Municipal Building
Public Works
Firehouses
Post Offices
Elks or Moose Lodge
Parks/ Recreational Fields
• 20 to 40 sites are entered
into a powerpoint:
• Site visits are conducted
Water Resources Program
Impervious Cover
Reduction Action Plan
(RAP)
Water Resources Program
Water Resources Program
Final Thoughts on Planning
• Plans promote action
• Plans are a conduit for funding
• ICAs, RAPs and Green Infrastructure Studies can be
completed in a few months for less than $15,000 per
municipality
• Wide range in cost of projects (Eagle Scout Projects to
Stimulus Money Projects)
• Foundation for stormwater utilities, watershed restoration
plans, and integrated water quality plans
Water Resources Program
Q3: How do we get projects in the ground?
• Engage a County Extension Agent
• Identify and secure a local champion
• Identify and secure funding
• Leverage all resources
Environmental County Agents
• Michele Bakacs, Middlesex and Union
• Pat Rector, Morris and Somerset
• Amy Rowe, Essex and Passaic
• Mike Haberland, Camden and Burlington
• Sal Mangiafico, Salem and Cumberland
• Steve Yergeau, Ocean and Atlantic
The Environmental County Agents teach people new skills
and information so they can make better informed
decisions and improvements to their businesses and
personal lives.
Water Resources Program
County Extension Agents
1. Be aware of the plan so they can mention it to
municipal officials
2. Identify a local champion that can work with the Water
Resources Program to implement projects
3. Take ownership of the plan and work with local
stakeholders and the Water Resources Program to
implement projects
Water Resources Program
Role of the Local Champion
• Promote green infrastructure and the plan among local
politicians, public workers, community groups, and
residents
• Serve as a liaison between the Water Resources
Program and the community
• Leverage local resources
Water Resources Program
Funding/In-Kind Contributions
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and
William Penn Foundation
• NJDEP 319(h) Program
• Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority
• Hillsborough Township
• Pilesgrove Township
• Upper Deerfield Township
• Hampton Township
• Cerbos Nursery
• New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station
Leveraging
• Association of NJ Environmental Commissions
• Wallkill River Watershed Management Group
• Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority
• South Jersey Land and Water Trust
• Lopatcong Creek Watershed Association
• Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority
• Cooper’s Ferry Partnership
• NJ Tree Foundation
• American Littoral Society
• Pinelands Preservation Alliance
Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E.
www.water.rutgers.edu
• Planning needs to be quick, simple and inexpensive
• Plans are conduits for funding
• All opportunities need to be field verified
• Local champions are needed to get projects in the
ground
• It takes time to develop relationships
Final Thoughts
