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Local Research: Studies & Evaluations Demonstrating the Benefits of GI/LID. What is Green Infrastructure?. “…is an approach to water management that protects, restores, or mimics the natural water cycle” ~ American Rivers. Courtesy of Vecteezy.com. What is Low Impact Development?.
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Local Research: Studies & Evaluations Demonstrating the Benefits of GI/LID
What is Green Infrastructure? “…is an approach to water management that protects, restores, or mimics the natural water cycle” ~ American Rivers Courtesy of Vecteezy.com
What is Low Impact Development? “is a sustainable approach to stormwater management that utilizes the landscape to absorb storm runoff, reducing offsite flows that can contribute to flooding and infrastructure costs.” ~ Mesa/Glendale LID Toolkit From: Greater Phoenix Metro GI Handbook
Benefits of GI/LID • Collects sediment, reduces pollutants, reduces erosion • Non-point source • Conform with local first-flush requirements • Helps meet policy/regulatory requirements • MS4 and general permit requirements • Sustainability/GI goals • Helps mitigate flooding by reducing stormwater peak flows & volume • Manages stormwater at the source • Reduces reliance on potable water Courtesy of ADEQ
Benefits of GI/LID • Improves livability and quality of life • Increases vegetation and shade, reducing the heat-island effect • Contributes to green space, which is linked to improved mental and physical health • Improves air quality • Traffic calming • Increases aesthetics, property values • Scalable • Suitable for new and retrofit projects • Can reduce costs/impacts of traditional gray infrastructure Stormwater is recognized as a resource, not a nuisance!
GI/LID Principles & Approaches • Decentralize stormwater management • Treat stormwater at its source • Reduce/disconnect impervious surfaces • Mimic predevelopment hydrology • Slow, spread, and sink • Minimize land disturbance • Incorporate natural features in development • Gray vs. green or “gray/green” Source: University of Arkansas Community Design Center
Durango Campus WC Retrofit Master Plan completed in 2017 Goals and objectives: • Water conservation • Alternative stormwater management • Educational showcase
Durango Campus WC Retrofit Three demonstration areas have been installed • O&M Building • Main Building Visitor Entrance • Parking median
Durango Campus WC Retrofit • Basins and bioswales • Curb cutsand sediment traps • Disconnected downspouts • Decorative drain • Stabilized dg • Native plants • Organic mulch • Terracing
Durango Campus WC Retrofit • Feasibility and Costing Assessment, 2019 • S.T.I.R. Application and monitoring • Next Steps: detailed design and funding
ASU Hydro-GI Lab Test Basins • Installed in 2018 at FCD Native Tree Nursery • Nine (9) test basins, study compares effectiveness of three (3) basin types • Standard bioswale/basin • Organic mulch layer • Bioretention with engineered soil media
ASU Hydro-GI Lab Test Basins • Collecting data on soil moisture, infiltration rates, volume, plant health/establishment • Simulated rainfall events under semi-controlled environment • Early observations/future testing
Bureau of Reclamation • Grade control structure installation and monitoring in small washes • Reclamation, USGS, Boy Scouts of America • Soil moisture • Infiltration • Sediment transport, erosion control • Weather stations, soil moisture sensors, sediment chains, field camera Courtesy of Bureau of Reclamation
Other Studies and Collaborations • LID Study -- Identifying Key Areas in the City of Phoenix for Infiltration and Retention using Low Impact Development • Bureau of Reclamation w/ The Nature Conservancy • Select an urban catchment and model GI/LID features for multiple benefits • Greater Phoenix Metro GI Handbook, 2019 • City of Scottsdale w/ ASU’s SCN Member Communities • 10 technical standard details, specifications, and landscape guidelines
Challenges • Lack of an integrated water management approach • Slow ‘cultural’ shift from gray -> green (and blue) • Existing policies and funding issues as barriers • “Proof positive” – more demo projects WITH testing/monitoring • Need better cost/benefit analysis • Show “multiple benefits for multiple agencies” to build a collaborative approach • Maintenance and functionality concerns over long term • Lack of standards in design and construction
Research and Data Needs • Quantify stormwater retention benefits • Storm flow models and ‘real world’ calibration • Quantify WQ, air quality, heat reduction benefits • Determine functionality over time (increase, decrease) • Long term assessment on maintenance costs • Water budget and plant materials placement within feature • How do landscape elements enhance GI/LID feature function?
Harry R. Cooper, PLA Landscape Architecture and Water Conservation Branch Manager Flood Control District of Maricopa County harry.cooper@maricopa.gov 602-506-2956