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Conservation Planning for Green
Infrastructure:
A Greenprint for Sustainability
Michael S. Fishman, CWB, PWS
Greg Liberman, CPESC
Growing Green Infrastructure in NYS
17 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
Regulations
MS4 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) (n)
(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