Green Infrastructure in the Washington Metropolitan Area

Metropolitan Washington Council of

Governments

New Partners for Smart Growth Conference

February 8th, 2008

Brian M. LeCouteur

Senior Environmental

Planner & Urban Forester

Metropolitan Washington

Council of Governments

(COG)

PotomacRiver

N

COG Regional Membership

Founded April 11, 1957 Population: 4,625,200Area: 3,020 square miles

Washington DC

Foster RegionalismProvide a regional forum for consensus-building and policy-makingPolicies are set by the Board of Directors which meets monthly to discuss regional issuesSupports the region as an expert information resource

COG’s Mission

COGCOG’’s General Memberships General MembershipIncludes 250 Elected OfficialsIncludes 250 Elected Officials

Elected Officials from 21 Local GovernmentsDistrict of ColumbiaMaryland - Montgomery, Prince George’s & Frederick Counties, including incorporated cities & townsVirginia - Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William & Loudoun Counties, including incorporated cities & towns

Regional DelegationsMaryland and Virginia legislaturesUS Congressional Representatives

COGCOG’’s Regional Prioritiess Regional Priorities

Planning: Geographic / Demographic GrowthPlanning: Geographic / Demographic GrowthTransportation NetworksTransportation NetworksEnvironmental SystemsEnvironmental SystemsHuman ServicesHuman ServicesPublic Safety / Homeland SecurityPublic Safety / Homeland Security

Metropolitan Washington Metropolitan Washington

Green InfrastructureGreen Infrastructure

Demonstration ProjectDemonstration Project

“Green Infrastructure is a network of open space, airsheds, watersheds, woodlands, wildlife habitat, parks, and other

natural areas, which provide many vital services that sustain life and enrich quality of life”.

President’s Council on Sustainable Development Report - 1999

A partnership between the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the National Park Service – National

Capital Region

The Metropolitan Washington

Green Infrastructure Demonstration Project

A Growing RegionA Growing Region

•• Population growth in the COG region projected to Population growth in the COG region projected to grow 24% from 4.6 to 5.6 million by 2030 grow 24% from 4.6 to 5.6 million by 2030

•• The region is losing The region is losing at leastat least 28 acres per day (16 28 acres per day (16 mimi22/yr) of open space /yr) of open space ** (Chesapeake Bay Program Calculates a (Chesapeake Bay Program Calculates a loss of 100 acres of day)loss of 100 acres of day)

•• Preserving open space can help to meet needs for Preserving open space can help to meet needs for water quality, air quality, local food supply, recreation water quality, air quality, local food supply, recreation and wildlife habitat in the coming yearsand wildlife habitat in the coming years

* Source: Margaret Maiz One * Source: Margaret Maizel One Image, LLC– Green or (Washington Green More or Less (Washington Post 1999).1999).

“There’s an opportunity here to look at how we regenerate communities and ecologies by looking at green space as a form of infrastructure like roads, water lines, and sewers.

When we talk about green infrastructure in the Washington [D.C.] area, we talk about everything from window boxes, to Rock Creek Park and in between: it’s urban gardens, residential landscaping, pocket parks,

landscaped portions of a development parcel, linear parks, riparian buffers, street trees, parkways, farms and large

parks and reserves.”

– Glenn Eugster, National Park Service - OMG Open Space Roundtable Philadelphia, 2001

Regional Land Cover / Forest Cover Map (Green Map)

Mapping Forums

Green Space Forums & Workshops

Regional Green Infrastructure Contacts Database

Exchange of Green Best Practices

Green Infrastructure Demonstration Project Components

1414

Green Infrastructure Tour Green Infrastructure Tour of theof the

Anacostia WatershedAnacostia Watershed

And Other Selected Sites of Interests

Developed through a grant from the National Park Service under the Metropolitan

Washington Green Infrastructure Demonstration Project

1515

TourTour IntroductionIntroduction

Purpose Purpose –– To Provide Visitors and Residents To Provide Visitors and Residents of the Washington Metropolitan Area of the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) with various examples of existing (WMA) with various examples of existing Best Management Practices (BMPBest Management Practices (BMP’’s) that are s) that are helping to sustain our local green helping to sustain our local green infrastructure (e.g., agricultural and forested infrastructure (e.g., agricultural and forested areas, stream valley parks, green roofs, low areas, stream valley parks, green roofs, low impact development techniques, stream impact development techniques, stream valley restoration projects, etc.) and protect valley restoration projects, etc.) and protect and restore our natural resources.and restore our natural resources.

Tour Stop No. 1 Tour Stop No. 1

Earth Conservation Corps Earth Conservation Corps -- Matthew Henson Matthew Henson Earth Conservation CenterEarth Conservation Center

2000 Half Street, SW2000 Half Street, SWWashington, DCWashington, DC 2002420024

PhonePhone:: 202202--479479--67106710FaxFax:: 202202--479479--9509 9509 EmailEmail: : info@ecc1info@ecc1

Green Roofs Green Roofs

Green roofs are an alternative to traditional Green roofs are an alternative to traditional asphaltasphalt--based roofs constructed of based roofs constructed of waterproofing, soil and plants. They are an waterproofing, soil and plants. They are an innovative stormwater management solution innovative stormwater management solution especially in intensely developed urban areas especially in intensely developed urban areas where open land is scarce. Green roofs have where open land is scarce. Green roofs have been used extensively in Europe for many been used extensively in Europe for many years to improve water and air quality, years to improve water and air quality, mitigate the urban heat island effect, and mitigate the urban heat island effect, and improve the energy performance of buildings. improve the energy performance of buildings.

Green Roof Green Roof

Looking south toward the Matthew Henson second floor meeting room

KenilworthKenilworth Marsh Restoration 1993Marsh Restoration 1993

At the time of its completion, this 32 acre tidal-fresh water restoration project was the largest of its kind in the U.S. It involved the raising of the marsh bed elevations through the addition of approximately 130,000 cubic yards of clean Anacostia River dredge spoilmaterial and the planting of 300,000 native emergent aquatic plants

Project partners included: National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the District of Columbia and COG

Tour Stop No. 4Tour Stop No. 4U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture Beltsville Agricultural Research Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC)Center (BARC)

Address:Address:National Visitor CenterNational Visitor CenterBuilding 302 (Log Lodge)Building 302 (Log Lodge)Powder Mill RoadPowder Mill RoadBeltsville, Maryland 20705 Beltsville, Maryland 20705

Phone: 301Phone: 301--504504--94039403

Aerial Photo of BARC, 2000Aerial Photo of BARC, 2000

Visitor Center (Log Lodge)

BARC property outlined in red = 6,600 acres

Tour Stop No. 11Tour Stop No. 11Bertie Backus Middle SchoolBertie Backus Middle SchoolDistrict of Columbia Public SchoolsDistrict of Columbia Public SchoolsBioBio--retention Arearetention Area

Site Address: Site Address: 5707 South Dakota Ave, N.E.5707 South Dakota Ave, N.E.Washington, DC 20011Washington, DC 20011

Phone: Phone: 202 596202 596--61106110Principle: Principle: Alfonzo PowellAlfonzo PowellSite Contact /Site Contact /Student Liaison: Ms. Gloria Thompson 7Student Liaison: Ms. Gloria Thompson 7 hth Grade Science TeacherGrade Science Teacher

Project Installation Contact: Jim Shell Project Installation Contact: Jim Shell –– MetroMetro--Wash. COGWash. COGPhone: 202 962Phone: 202 962--33423342EE--mail: jshell@mwcog.orgmail: jshell@mwcog.org

BioBio--Retention Cell InstallationRetention Cell Installation

Breaking through storm drain inlet and checking fit of drain pipe coupling

Installing gravel and perforated under-drain pipe

Backfilling with a compost, topsoil and sand mix

NPS NPS -- Center For Urban Ecology Center For Urban Ecology –– Green RoofGreen Roof

What Can Be Learned by StudyingWhat Can Be Learned by StudyingMetropolitan Washington Green Infrastructure? Metropolitan Washington Green Infrastructure?

Seek Innovative Approaches to Regional Planning ChallengesSeek Innovative Approaches to Regional Planning ChallengesDevelop Incentives and Tools for Open Space SetDevelop Incentives and Tools for Open Space Set--AsidesAsidesPromote Case Studies of Green Infrastructure Success StoriesPromote Case Studies of Green Infrastructure Success StoriesBuild Regional Farm Preservation Programs / Local Food SupplyBuild Regional Farm Preservation Programs / Local Food Supply(i.e. such as he M gom ry County(i.e. such as the Montgomery County’’s Ag R serves Ag Reserve)

Maintain, Enhance & Connect Existing Green InfrastructureMaintain, Enhance & Connect Existing Green Infrastructure

By Coordinating Regional Planning Using A Green Infrastructure Approach, We Can Accommodate Expected Growth, As we

simultaneously …

Why a Regional Green Map?Why a Regional Green Map?

•• A need recognized by the National Park Service, A need recognized by the National Park Service, National Capital Region, COG and Congressman Jim National Capital Region, COG and Congressman Jim MoranMoran

•• No existing regionNo existing region--wide land use / land cover database wide land use / land cover database providing a providing a ‘‘snapshotsnapshot’’ of green infrastructure (i.e. of green infrastructure (i.e. forest, grassland, agricultural lands, etc.)forest, grassland, agricultural lands, etc.)

•• COG / regional government membership programmatic COG / regional government membership programmatic and planning needsand planning needs

GIS Data Sources:

LandSat 7 Imagery – 30 Meter Resolution

Ikonos Satellite Imagery – 1 Meter Resolution (2000 Data)

Project Partner: University of Maryland Department of Geography – Regional Earth Science Applications Center (RESAC)

Green Infrastructure Mappingof the

Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA)

Frederick Co. MD

Montgomery Co. MD

Loudoun Co. VA

Prince William Co. VA

F C

Washington DC

Prince George’s Co. MD

Fairfax Co. VA

Arlington Co. VA

Categories Analyzed

COG Jurisdictions

Water

Transportation

Recreational non-golf grass

PastureNatural grass

Wetlands

Shrublands

Mixed forests

Medium intensity residentialLow intensity residential

Intensively managed grass

High intensity residential

Evergreen forestsDeciduous forests

Croplands

Industrial/commercial

Bare soil, sand, rock

Urban forest

CategoriesAnalyzed

13 - Land Cover Classes

5 - Primary Land-Use Classes

Sample Final ProductsSample Final Products

•• Regional Land Use / Land Cover Map Regional Land Use / Land Cover Map and and Summary Charts (Landsat Summary Charts (Landsat Data)Data)

•• Map of Regional Imperviousness 1999Map of Regional Imperviousness 1999--2000 2000 (Landsat Data)(Landsat Data)

•• Map of Regional Map of Regional Developed Lands 1986Developed Lands 1986--2000 2000 (Landsat Data)(Landsat Data)

•• Sample Forest Patch Size and Riparian Buffer ConditionSample Forest Patch Size and Riparian Buffer Condition

•• IKONOS IKONOS Hunting Creek Hunting Creek and and AnacostiaAnacostia ImageryImagery

•• IKONOS Anacostia Riparian Forest Buffer Data LayerIKONOS Anacostia Riparian Forest Buffer Data Layer

•• Satellite Image Resolution ComparisonSatellite Image Resolution Comparison

Green Space Forums & Workshops• Nanine Bilski, America the Beautiful Fund, Washington, DC

• Blaine Bonham, PA Horticulture Society, Philadelphia, PA

• Dr. John Bruce, Moses Urban Gardening, Washington, DC

• David Burke, MD Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis, MD

• Mark Buscanio, Casey Trees Endowment, Washington, DC

• Steve Coleman, Washington Parks & People, Washington, DC

• Christine Gilday, Virginia “Plant-A-Row”

• Peggy Harwood, USDA, Forest Service, Washington, DC

• Shelia Hogan, DC Greenworks (formerly of the Casey Tree Endowment, Washington, DC

• Andy Lipkis, Tree People, Los Angeles, CA

• Mari Lou Livingood, formerly of the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, Alexandria, VA

• Daniel Martin, International Communities for the Renewal of the Earth, NJ

• Greg Moore, Golden Gate Park Association, San Francisco, CA

• Neil Owens, Metropolitan Police Department Boys & Girls Club, Washington, DC

• Brian O’Neill, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA

• Leslie Sauer, formerly of Andropogon Associates, Hunterdon County, NJ

• Gerri Spilka, OMG Center for Collaborative Learning, Philadelphia, PA

• Anne Whiston Spirn, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

• Nancy Sturm, formerly of the National Park Foundation, Washington, DC

• Bob Sutton, Greater Washington National Parks Fund, Manassas, VA

• Joan Thomas, DC Ward 4 Beautification, Washington, DC

• Robert Yaro, Regional Plan Association, NY

DC Metro Region DC Metro Region Green Green

Infrastructure Infrastructure Project Receives Project Receives Recognition by Recognition by

The Conservation The Conservation FundFund

Working Lands in the Washington Working Lands in the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA)Metropolitan Area (WMA)

A Regional Agricultural Initiative to Enhance,

Promote and Protect

Farmers and Farmland in the Greater

WMA

Market Value of Production Market Value of Production -- 20022002

Crop and Livestock* + Horticultural + Orchard Crop and Livestock* + Horticultural + Orchard = (million$) = (million$)

•• COG Region COG Region $204.16 + $50.63 + $4.34 = $259.13 million$204.16 + $50.63 + $4.34 = $259.13 million

•• Beyond COG RegionBeyond COG Region$113.87 + $2.73 + $4.36 = $120.96 million$113.87 + $2.73 + $4.36 = $120.96 million

*Livestock production does not include horse boarding facilities.

The Metropolitan Washington Agricultural RegionThe Metropolitan Washington Agricultural Region

Products delivered to Products delivered to local farmers markets local farmers markets travel an average of travel an average of 75 miles one75 miles one--way; way;

much of which much of which originates in the originates in the

twelve counties that twelve counties that surround the 3000 surround the 3000

sq. mi. Metrosq. mi. Metro--region.region.

Farmers Farmers MarketsMarkets

87 Farmers 87 Farmers Markets in the Markets in the COG RegionCOG Region

PickPick--YourYour--Own Own EnterprisesEnterprises

34 PYO34 PYO’’s in the COG s in the COG Region and BeyondRegion and Beyond

VineyardsVineyards

22 Vineyards in 22 Vineyards in the COG Region the COG Region and Beyondand Beyond

Regional Agricultural WorkgroupRegional Agricultural Workgroup

The Regional Agricultural Workgroup’s key focus will be to investigate potential approaches for sustaining an economically viable regional

agricultural system through better support of farms, farmers, farm programs and marketing of local agricultural products in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The Workgroup will seek to establish and maintain a network among agricultural professionals, local farmers, farmers markets, businesses and

others to address common issues of regional coordination and advocacy. The Workgroup will also function as a forum for disseminating agricultural information among members, the farm community, elected officials and

citizens.

Promoting and Protecting Working Lands in the Washington Metropolitan Area

Agricultural Workgroup Agricultural Workgroup PrioritiesPriorities

Business Incentive/Disincentive Factors:Business Incentive/Disincentive Factors: Economic / Economic / Financial, Regulatory, Agricultural Infrastructure, Crop / Financial, Regulatory, Agricultural Infrastructure, Crop / Product Diversification, Labor, Technical Support, Farm Product Diversification, Labor, Technical Support, Farm Operator RecruitmentOperator Recruitment

Advocacy and Outreach: Advocacy and Outreach: Regional Networking, Public Regional Networking, Public Education, Community Support, Lobbying, Database Education, Community Support, Lobbying, Database Creation and SharingCreation and Sharing

Marketing:Marketing: ““Buy LocalBuy Local”” Marketing, Farmers Markets, Marketing, Farmers Markets, AgroAgro--Tourism, NonTourism, Non--Regional (Interstate & International) Regional (Interstate & International) MarketingMarketing

Projects UnderwayProjects Underway

Regional Agriculture Web Site Regional Agriculture Web Site www.nationalcapitalfarms.orgwww.nationalcapitalfarms.orgAdvertising / MarketingAdvertising / MarketingOngoing Cross Jurisdictional CoordinationOngoing Cross Jurisdictional CoordinationGrant SupportGrant SupportVirtual Ag. TrailVirtual Ag. Trail

Regional Agricultural WorkgroupRegional Agricultural Workgroup

Highlighting Highlighting Locally Locally GrownGrown

Local Ag. MarketingLocal Ag. Marketing

June 28, 2006 June 28, 2006 ““Waste WoodWaste Wood””Recovery WorkshopRecovery Workshop

Seneca Creek JoinerySeneca Creek JoineryConvening of Chief Foresters in Suburban MarylandConvening of Chief Foresters in Suburban Maryland

Milling Harvested (Recovered) Urban WoodMilling Harvested (Recovered) Urban Wood

Community Woodlands Alliance Community Woodlands Alliance (CWA)(CWA)

COG & CWA Receives a USFS Grant from COG & CWA Receives a USFS Grant from the Wood Education Resource Center the Wood Education Resource Center (WERC) (WERC) –– July 2007July 2007Acquired a Portable Sawmill Acquired a Portable Sawmill Developed a Wood Processing CenterDeveloped a Wood Processing CenterEducational / Training ComponentsEducational / Training ComponentsHosting a Workshop in May of 2008Hosting a Workshop in May of 2008Goal of Establishing a Regional NetworkGoal of Establishing a Regional Network

Portable SawmillPortable Sawmill

GreenGreen Infrastructure Infrastructure Demonstration Project ContactsDemonstration Project Contacts

Glenn EugsterAssistant Regional Director, Partnerships OfficeNational Park Service,National Capital Region1100 Ohio Drive, SW,Room 350, Washington, D.C. 20242202 619-7492Glenn_Eugster@nps.gov

Brian M. LeCouteur Senior Environmental Planner / Urban Forester Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments 777 North Capitol St. N.E. Suite 300 Washington, DC 20002 202 962-3393 blecouteur@mwcog.org

For more information on theFor more information on theRegional Agricultural InitiativeRegional Agricultural Initiative……

Brian M. LeCouteurBrian M. LeCouteurblecouteur@mwcog.orgblecouteur@mwcog.org

202202--962962--33933393

www.mwcog.org/environment/green/agriculturewww.nationalcapitalfarms.orgwww.nationalcapitalfarms.org

Questions / Comments?Questions / Comments?