The genesis for the Green Infrastructure (GI) Technical Design Guidance (“toolkit”) began with it’s inclusion as a task in the Albany Pool Communities Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan (LTCP). The goal of this task in the Plan was to provide each of the six Pool communities assistance in developing green infrastructure guidance for public and private application of GI. Working in in concert with NYSDEC, CDRPC and their consultant team, led by Barton and Loguidice, evaluated the current Stormwater Design Manual for opportunities to develop specific and expand upon current practices for use in the Albany Pool Communities – and create a tool box the communities can readily employ to evaluate GI practices and encourage or require their adoption to manage stormwater in the Combined Sewer System area.
The Pool Communities, through CDRPC, were awarded grant funding through the New York State Department of State’s Local Government Efficiency Grant Program to fund the development and promotion of the Toolkit and it’s companion project, the Green Infrastructure code Audit.
The goal of the Toolkit is to provide customizable green alternatives to traditional stormwater management on small sites to promote:
- greener landscapes
- reduction of heat island effect
- removal of stormwater pollutants
- reduction in the incidences of combined sewer overflows
The Toolkit emphasizes stormwater management through retention an infiltration with a focus on urban areas and small sites – specifically focusing on volume as it’s main objective rather than water quality because the manual is aimed to communities with combined sewers; overflows and bacterial contamination.