EPA OUTLINES GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT OF STORMWATER RUNOFF

FROM:  U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Stormwater runoff is a major cause of water pollution in urban areas.  When rain falls in undeveloped areas, the water is absorbed and filtered by soil and plants.  When rain falls on our roofs, streets, and parking lots, however, the water cannot soak into the ground.  In most urban areas, stormwater is drained through engineered collection systems and discharged into nearby waterbodies.  The stormwater carries trash, bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants from the urban landscape, degrading the quality of the receiving waters.  Higher flows can also cause erosion and flooding in urban streams, damaging habitat, property, and infrastructure.  

Green infrastructure uses vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water and create healthier urban environments.  At the scale of a city or county, green infrastructure refers to the patchwork of natural areas that provides habitat, flood protection, cleaner air, and cleaner water. At the scale of a neighborhood or site, green infrastructure refers to stormwater management systems that mimic nature by soaking up and storing water.

Here we review the range of green infrastructure elements that can be woven throughout a watershed, from the smaller scale elements that can be integrated into sites to the larger scale elements that span entire watersheds.

Downspout disconnection refers to the rerouting of rooftop drainage pipes to drain rainwater to rain barrels, cisterns, or permeable areas instead of the storm sewer.  Downspout disconnection stores stormwater and/or allows stormwater to infiltrate into the soil.  This simple practice may have particularly great benefits in cities with combined sewer systems.

Rainwater harvesting systems collect and store rainfall for later use. When designed appropriately, rainwater harvesting systems slow and reduce runoff and provide a source of water. These systems may be particularly attractive in arid regions, where they can reduce demands on increasingly limited water supplies.
Rain gardens (also known as bioretention or bioinfiltration cells) are shallow, vegetated basins that collect and absorb runoff from rooftops, sidewalks, and streets.  Rain gardens mimic natural hydrology by infiltrating and evapotranspiring runoff.  Rain gardens are versatile features that can be installed in almost any unpaved space.

Planter boxes are urban rain gardens with vertical walls and open or closed bottoms that collect and absorb runoff from sidewalks, parking lots, and streets. Planter boxes are ideal for space-limited sites in dense urban areas and as a streetscaping element.

Bioswales are vegetated, mulched, or xeriscaped channels that provide treatment and retention as they move stormwater from one place to another.  Vegetated swales slow, infiltrate, and filter stormwater flows. As linear features, vegetated swales are particularly suitable along streets and parking lots.
Permeable pavements are paved surfaces that infiltrate, treat, and/or store rainwater where it falls.  Permeable pavements may be constructed from pervious concrete, porous asphalt, permeable interlocking pavers, and several other materials.  These pavements are particularly cost effective where land values are high and where flooding or icing is a problem.

Green streets and alleys integrate green infrastructure elements into the street and/or alley design design to store, infiltrate, and evapotranspire stormwater.  Permeable pavement, bioswales, planter boxes, and trees are among the many green infrastructure features that may be woven into street or alley design.
Many of the green infrastructure elements described above can be seamlessly integrated into parking lot designs. Permeable pavements can be installed in sections of a lot and rain gardens and bioswales can be included in medians and along a parking lot perimeter. Benefits include urban heat island mitigation and a more walkable built environment.

Green roofs are covered with growing media and vegetation that enable rainfall infiltration and evapotranspiration of stored water. Green roofs are particularly cost effective in dense urban areas where land values are high and on large industrial or office buildings where stormwater management costs may be high.

NAVY GOATS

FROM:  U.S. NAVY

Northwest Base Goes Green with Goats

INDIAN ISLAND, Wash. - (NNS) -- In recognition of Earth Day 2013, Naval Magazine Indian Island (NMII) is utilizing a herd of goats as an eco-friendly method of invasive vegetation control at NMII, April 15 through mid-June.

More than 100 goats from more than nine different breeds are being employed to remove noxious weeds and shrubs without using heavy machinery or chemicals at NMII.

"My goats eat the brush and unwanted vegetation in a very natural way," said Tammy Dunakin, chief goat wrangler for Rent-A-Ruminant, LLC.

By eating the weeds and shrubs the goats ecologically diminish the seed source and reduce plant growth in the areas.

"I have been really impressed with the Navy's green initative. They are doing a lot of stuff to keep these places really beautiful," said Dunakin. "It's really a win-win for both parties using these goats. People don't think about the safety aspect, but these goats will go where it is dangerous for people, where they might slip and hurt themselves."

When asked about the Navy's use of goats, Cmdr. Michael Yesunas, NMII commanding officer, said it was cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly.

"This benefits the Navy by clearing the invasive species," said Yesunas. "It's great because we are not using machines to clear this.

"It really shows the Navy's dedication to the environment," said Yesunas. "You go out of your way to make something like this come together. It's a testament to the Navy's dedication to being eco-friendly."

The Department of the Navy Earth Day theme for 2013 is "Global Reach - Local Action." The theme is meant to encourage Sailors to take local action to show the Navy's dedication to protecting the environment.

Through April and May, Navy installations and tenant commands within Navy Region Northwest will be participating in Earth Day related events like cleanup projects, a fish planting and recycling competitions.

Navy and Marine Corps commands officially celebrate Earth Day April 22. Earth Day officially started on April 22, 1970 as a day to reflect on the planet's environment and ways to help keep it healthy.