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GreenStep City Best Practices Environmental Management

Efficient Stormwater Management
no. 17

Minimize the volume of and pollutants in rainwater runoff.

  Best Practice Actions    [See action tools, guidance, city reports]

  1. Complete the Blue Star City stormwater management assessment and be recognized for implementing the actions therein.
  2. Adopt by ordinance one or more of the following:
    a.  A narrower streets provision that permits construction of 24-foot roads for public, residential access and subcollector streets (with fewer than 500 average daily trips).
    b.  A 1.5 inch rainfall on-site rainwater infiltration design requirement for construction sites.
    c.  A stormwater runoff volume limit to pre-development volumes for the 5-year, 24-hour rainfall maximum event.
    d.  For non-MS4 permittees, adopt an illicit discharge prohibition rule or ordinance.
  3. New action coming soon that references upcoming Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS).
  4. Create a stormwater utility that uses variable fees to incentivize enhanced stormwater management, minimize the volume of and pollutants in runoff, and educate property owners.
  5. Adopt and implement guidelines for, or adopt required design standards/incentives for, at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse techniques:
    a.  Rain gardens or green roofs.
    b.  Cisterns and other stormwater reuse strategies.
    c.  Green alleys or green parking lots (includes coal tar sealants).
    d.  Pervious/permeable pavement or pavers.
  6. Adopt an ordinance with erosion and sediment control provisions as well as requirements for permanent stormwater treatment.
benefits  
  • Low-impact development was simulated for an existing development in Lakeville and several financial and environmental benefits were calculated.
  • Stormwater BMP Performance Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis (St. Paul's Capitol Region Watershed District: 2010).
  • The National Green Values Calculator (Center for Neighborhood Technology: 2009) is a tool for quickly comparing the performance, costs, and benefits of green infrastructure to conventional stormwater practices. Estimates include annual and life cycle benefits of reduced air pollutants, carbon dioxide sequestration, compensatory value of trees, groundwater replenishment, reduced energy use, and reduced water treatment benefits.
  • The Value of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Social and Environmental Benefits (Center for Neighborhood Technology & American Rivers: 2011) provides a framework to help communities measure and value in dollars the stormwater, air quality, energy, and other benefits that green stormwater infrastructure provides communities. See also Banking on Green: A Look at How Green Infrastructure Can Save Municipalities Money and Provide Economic Benefits Community-wide (American Rivers, American Society of Landscape Architects: 2012).
    		•  
    Required for Category A cities
    Category A cities must implement this best practice by completing at least one action.

    Category B and C cities that choose to implement this best practice must complete at least one action.
    summary
    Increased stormwater runoff and associated water pollution are often a result of land use changes and urbanization, which negatively impact water quality. This, in turn, compromises clean drinking water and fishable, swimmable waters that support plants, animals and our local quality of life. Using a low-impact development, green stormwater infrastructure approach, pollutant loading from stormwater sources is minimized, water is managed on-site in such a way as to mimic predevelopment hydrology, and water quality benefits are recognized in the receiving waters. Cost savings are typically realized through this approach.
    greenstep advisor
    Anne Gelbmann, Green Stormwater Infrastructure Specialist, MN Pollution Control Agency: 651/757-2384, anne.gelbmann@state.mn.us, http://www.pca.state.mn.us/gp0ra83

    Trevor Russell, Watershed Program Director, Friends of the Mississippi River: 651/222-2193, x18, info@bluestarmn.org, http://www.fmr.org/about/staff/trevor_russell

    connection to state Policy

    • In 2009 the Minnesota Legislature allocated funds for the development of Minimal Impact Design Standards based on a low impact development (LID) approach to storm water management that mimics a site's natural hydrology as the landscape is developed. Using the low impact development approach, storm water is managed on site and the rate and volume of predevelopment storm water reaching receiving waters is unchanged. The calculation of predevelopment hydrology is based on native soil and vegetation.
    • 2009 Minnesota state law bans state agencies from using coal tar sealants on trails and parking lots.