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.

obropta@envsci.rutgers.edu

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.

obropta@envsci.rutgers.edu

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