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Kick-off Meeting
January 21, 2015
This project was funded by an agreement (CE96184201) awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission on behalf of the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program.
8:15 – 8:30: Welcome, Overview, Intro to Project and Team
8:30 – 8:45: Intro: Blackstone watershed, Campaign for
fishable and swimmable; land use and stormwater; Green Infrastructure and LID
8:45 – 9:00: LID as a cost effective approach to stormwater challenges
9:00 – 9:15: Q & A 9:15 – 9:30: Wrap up – next steps, project schedule
◦ “LID is an approach to land development (or re-development) that works with nature to manage stormwater as close to its source as possible. LID employs principles such as preserving and recreating natural landscape features, minimizing effective imperviousness to create functional and appealing site drainage that treat stormwater as a resource rather than a waste product.”*
◦ Designed to put natural systems like soils and vegetation to work, therefore reducing the need for traditional and often expensive infrastructure to treat and manage stormwater.
* http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green
Green Infrastructure and LID techniques include: ◦ Land use planning and regulation;
◦ Development and redevelopment projects;
◦ Infrastructure improvements;
◦ Tree planting and neighborhood greening
Project Partners are teaming up to assist communities in the Blackstone watershed
Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC):
Eric R. Smith, AICP, Principal Planner
Christopher J. Ryan, AICP, CDAP Program Manager:
◦ Project Coordination and Management, public participation
◦ Experienced assisting communities adopt LID regulations
Mass Audubon: Heidi Ricci, Senior Policy Analyst
Valerie Massard, AICP, Shaping the Future of Your
Community Program Project Coordinator ◦ Environmental Policy and Land Use Management
◦ Experienced adopting LID regulations and applying
to projects/permits
◦ Shaping program: EPA Environmental Merit Award
Horsley & Witten Group, Inc.:
Scott Horsley, Principal
◦ Nationally and internationally recognized expert in water resources management and LID
◦ Practical planning and project level experience
◦ Case studies
The Blackstone River Coalition:
Peter Coffin, Executive Director
◦ Partnership of many groups working across the watershed to clean up, protect, and foster appreciation of the Blackstone River and its associated Watershed.
Introduction
E. Heidi Ricci, Mass Audubon
Fifth edition, 2014
2003
2009
1999
1987
www.massaudubon.org/losingground
New Development Trends Development Rates in Massachusetts (2005-2013)
Pollution: nutrients, bacteria, chemicals
Erosion and sedimentation
Flooding, culvert and road failure
Loss of recharge to aquifers
Streams drying up
Regulatory compliance
Image credit: U.S. Global Change Research Program (www.globalchange.gov).
Mass Rivers Alliance 2009
More Floods More Droughts Stresses of sprawl, impervious surfaces,
nonpoint source pollution exacerbated
NOAA
Natural features, e.g. forests, floodplains, wetlands and buffer areas, or
Built or engineered to mimic or restore natural processes, e.g. rain gardens, green roofs, bioretention areas, constructed wetlands, or living shorelines.
Natural Green Infrastructure Free Services
• Absorb rain, recharge water supplies
• Clean water and air
• Prevent floods
• Shade and windblocks
• Timber products, wildlife habitat, recreation
• Carbon storage
• Lower infrastructure costs • Reduced clearing and grading • Protect water supplies • Prevent flood damage, protect wetland buffers and floodplains • Protect forests and farmlands • Open space and trails
• High quality of life and property values
Benefits of Reducing Sprawl & Protecting Natural Green Infrastructure
Mosquitoes and Stormwater
Stormwater catch basins and detention ponds are prime mosquito breeding habitat Low Impact Development does not harbor mosquitoes
Source: City of Portland, Environmental Services
• Environmental • Aesthetics and market value • Avoided costs • Meeting regulatory requirements • Adapting to Climate Change
Gap in water infrastructure funding over next 20 years, Water Infrastructure Finance Commission, 2012. graph by Martin Pillsbury, MAPC
Case studies – spring 2015
Workshops - summer 2015
Competitive technical assistance program – Fall/Winter 2015/16
Broad Meadow Brook demonstration project - 2016
Networking and technical advice – ongoing throughout project
This project was funded by an agreement (CE96184201) awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission on behalf of the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program.
Valerie Massard, AICP, Mass Audubon, [email protected], 508-753-6087 x18
Eric R. Smith, AICP, CMRPC, [email protected], 508-459-3322
Christopher Ryan, AICP, CMRPC, [email protected], 508-459-3315
Scott Horsley, Horsley Witten Group, Inc., [email protected], (508) 833-6600
Peter Coffin, Blackstone River Coalition, [email protected], 508-753-6087
