Accomplish More Together

Conservation Planning for Green Infrastructure:A Greenprint for Sustainability

Michael S. Fishman, CWB, PWS

Greg Liberman, CPESC

Growing Green Infrastructure in NYS17 November 2010

Syracuse, New York

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Viewpoints

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

RegulationsMS4 Requirements

Construction Permits

U.S. EPA Requirements

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Community Character

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Greenprint - (grēn’prĭnt) ( - (grēn’prĭnt) (nn))

(1) a long-term, sustainable land use

plan for open space or “green

infrastructure”

(2) a blueprint for ‘green’ planning

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Greenprint Overview

• Water Quality• Maintain Open Space• Maintain/Improve Traffic Flow• Utilize Infrastructure• Biodiversity Conservation• Connectivity/Corridors

Trails

Water Quality

Ecology

Community Character

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Example: Biodiversity Study1. Sample the variety of ecological communities

(habitats) to document existing conditions and quantify biodiversity within the Town.

2. Review current measures (primarily regulatory) being used to protect the environment within the Town.

3. Develop recommendations to conserve biodiversity within the Town, thereby protecting the resilience and long-term sustainability and viability of ecosystems throughout the Town.

4. Provide Planning and Conservation Boards a toolbox

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Biodiversity Study - Results• Data collection – desktop and field inventory• GIS Mapping – available and new data• Review existing ordinances• Establish model language for new or improved

ordinances• Protocols and design guidelines (toolbox) for work

near sensitive areas, mitigation, now-mow zones• Identified common pitfalls to avoid• Short- and Long-term management strategies for Town

land

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Available Coverages• Waters/Wetlands• Cover Types• Soils• Open Space/Parks• Ecological Cover Type

Create Shapefiles• e.g.: Specimen Trees• e.g.: Invasive Species

Initial Data Collection

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Existing Ordinances• Wetlands• Stormwater Management• Erosion Control• Zoning• Planning

Model Language for• Conservation Subdivisions• Vernal Pool Protection• Riparian Buffer and Protection

Review of Ordinance

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Guidelines

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Guidelines

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Guidelines

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Recommendations• Ranged from baseline ecological data to long term

action plans• Developed for target audience• Setup for easy or streamlined implementation through

site plan review and design guidelines• Modifications to existing ordinances or new ordinances• Change in existing practices (i.e. maintenance)

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Connection to Water Quality• Identification of resource areas to be protected• Improved maintanence of Town-owned park land (i.e.

no mow zones, less fertilizer)• Design guidelines for improved site planning near

sensitive resources • Suggested ordinances and model language

• These actions are a form of passive green infrastructure and directly improve water quality

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Summary• More than one way to plan, discuss and implement

green infrastructure for water quality• Work at an appropriate scale• When planning these projects, anticipate the need for

streamlined implementation

• Multiple pathways• Grant funded biodiversity study can be the gateway for

green infrastructure planning

Going Green Infrastructure in New York State

Discussion