Green and Resilient Infrastructure Planning (GRI P): Get a GRI P on RI’s CoastlineFunding for this project is provided by the Department of the Interior through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program

Green and Resilient Infrastructure Planning (GRI P): Get a GRI P on RI’s CoastlineFunding for this project is provided by the Department of the Interior through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program

0 10’ 20’ 40’ 80’

Scale: NTS

Multi-Functional Design Concepts for Coastal Stormwater Management Master Plan

The Place: Oakland Beach, Warwick RIOakland Beach overlooks Narragansett Bay and is an important recreational, historical, and economic hub in Warwick. Popular for saltwater swimming and fishing, this public beach is a destination with neighboring attractions such as restaurants and a boat access ramp.

The Problem: Water Quality, Beach Closures, and FloodingOakland Beach has impaired water quality and is vulnerable to coastal flooding, storm surge, and sea level rise. Rain runoff from residential and commercial development upland of Oakland Beach contribute to stormwater and water quality problems, resulting in frequent beach closures that in turn raise health, safety, and economic concerns.

The Solution: Green Infrastructure/Multi-functional Stormwater Management •GreenInfrastructureisanature-basedadaptationtoolfor: -Stormwaterfiltrationandinfiltration -Addressingshorelineerosionandsupplementingexisting grey infrastructure -Restorationandenhancementofhabitats •Usesdesignedorengineeredsystemsthatallowsoilandvegetation to capture water where it falls •Aimstopreservenaturalhydrologyofwatershed •Reducesstressonandneedfortraditional“grey”or“hard”design solutions •IsappliedandadaptableatdifferentscalesOpportunities and Benefits: CommunityImplementingelementsofnature-basedsolutionswithengineeredsolutionsonOaklandBeachwill: •Decreasebeachclosuresfrompollution •Increaseeconomicvitalityoflocalbusinesswithfewerbeachclosures •Reduceandmanagestormwaterflooding •Providehabitatfornativeplantcommunitiesandpollinators •Createopportunitiesforpubliceducationandawareness •Enhanceaestheticsoftheareaandthebeach/parkuser’sexperience •Increasepublichealthandsafety •Recognize,support,andenhancehistoricusesOpportunities and Benefits: Municipal •Providecosteffectiveandpracticalsolutions •Reducenumberofbeachclosures •Reducecontaminantstoimpairedcoastalwaters&shellfishhabitats •SupportgoalsofPhase2stormwaterregulations •Preserveimportanthabitatandnaturalareas •Reducepressureonaginggreyinfrastructure •Createhealthandsocialbenefits •Supportforjobs,localbusinesshubs,andeconomicvitality •Encouragemoreefficientmaintenancerequirements

Oakland Beach Avenue

Marley’s On the Beach

Iggy’s Restaurant

Top of the BayRestaurant and Lounge

DesignConsideration: •Setbackimprovementsto3’above Mean Higher High Water (equal to commonNor’easterfloodlevel)

DesignConsideration: •1’SeaLevelRise+25YearStormEvent •4% chance of occurrence per year

DesignConsideration: •1’SeaLevelRise+10YearStormEvent •10%chanceofoccurrenceperyear

Infrastructure Improvements: •Repairandrelocateexistingbikepath -Offersamoreconvenienttravelpattern -Controlsfoottraffic,preservingnativeplantingenhancements •Repairexistingwoodenboardwalk -Improveusersafety -Costeffectivetoreplaceifdamagedinstormevent •Supportadaptivemanagementofinfrastructureandcoastalbuffer bydesigningforcurrentconditionswiththeflexibilitytoallowfor the natural environment

Infrastructure Improvements: •ProposedPlazaAreawithpermeablepavers -Allowwatertoinfiltrateratherthanrunoff -Createsadestinationspacetohelppreservevegetative enhancements in other areas •Installhighcapacitysolarcompactingwastereceptaclesthroughoutarea -Moreeffectivelymanagepublictrashandencouragerecycling -Reduceopenandoverflowingreceptacleswhichattractseagulls\ animals that produce waste impacting water quality -Educatevisitorsonlinkagesbetweensolidwasteandwaterquality •SeeAppendixB

Bioretention Stormwater System:•Installabioretentionbasin -Retrofitexistinggrassedislandto better manage stormwater -Providesattractiveandfunctional landscape for beach entrance -Potentialforenhancementof pollinator habitat •Re-purposeexistinglawn -Plantcoastalpollinatormeadow, as attractive lawn alternative -Createalowmaintenance mowing plan -Discouragegeese •SeeBioretentionBasinandPollinator Habitat Plan

Coastal Buffer Improvements:•Coastalbufferandnativegrassplantings -Reduceerosionfromuplandrunoff and coastal flooding -Allowsfuturelandwardmigrationof dune as sea rises -Enhancefiltrationandinfiltrationof stormwater -Restorenativeplantandpollinator habitat •SeeAppendixAforrecommendedseed mixguideandplantcommunity informationandRIcoastalplantguide

Beach Area

CurrentMeanHigherHighWater

Parking(Shell Surface)

Coastal Buffer

Native Grasses

CoastalDesignConsideration: •Plan for potential coastal flooding, incorporating rising seas witha20-yeardesignlifeanticipating1’sealevelrise •Accommodates3’tide/surgecombinationtoday,orafuture1’sealevelrisepotentialwithin20yeardesignlifeplusa2’tide/surge

Green and Resilient Infrastructure Planning (GRI P): Get a GRI P on RI’s CoastlineFunding for this project is provided by the Department of the Interior through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program