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Green Infrastructure Primer

A Delaware Guide to Using Natural Systems in Urban, Rural, and Coastal Settings

AcknowledgmentsThe Green Infrastructure Primer for Delaware was developed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) in partnership with the Executive Order 41 Flood Avoidance Workgroup. Under the order, state agencies are directed to “incorporate measures to improve resiliency to flood heights, erosion, and sea level rise using natural systems or green infrastructure to improve resiliency wherever practical and effective.” The purpose of this document is to promote the use of green infrastructure as an adaptation strategy for climate change.

This document would not have been completed without the advice, input, time, talents, and insight of state agency staff and conservation partners throughout the state.

Project Team Principal Author: Jennifer de Mooy (DNREC) Project Team: Miriam Balgos (University of Delaware), Susan Love (DNREC), Michael Skivers (EPSCOR, Wesley College)

Contributors & ReviewersDNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship: Mark Biddle, Sara Esposito, Marcia Fox, Randell Greer, Brittany Haywood, Michael Powell, Alison Rogerson, Jamie Rutherford, Brittany Sturgis, Jennifer Walls DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife: Kate Fleming, William McAvoyDNREC Coastal Programs: Danielle SwallowDNREC Environmental Finance: Terry Deputy, Greg PopeDelaware Department of Agriculture: Kyle HoydOffice of State Planning Coordination: Stephen BayerDelaware Center for Horticulture: Vikram KrishnamurthyPartnership for the Delaware Estuary: Jennifer Adkins, Sari RothrockDelaware Center for Inland Bays: Sally BoswellUniversity of Delaware Cooperative Extension: Jennifer VolkDelaware Sea Grant Program: Wendy Carey, Joe Farrell

Photographs: Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program, DNREC; Environmental Finance, DNREC; Sara Esposito, DNREC; Mark Biddle, DNREC; William A. McAvoy, DNREC; Delaware Sea Grant; Dover Library and the City of Dover; Eric Crossan, Gilbert Architects, Inc.; Michael Skivers, Wesley College; Delaware Center for Horticulture; Delaware Center for Inland Bays; James White, Delaware Nature Society

Illustrations: Jeffery Mathison

January 2016

GreenInfrastructurePrimerforDelaware 1

Green Infrastructure Primer for Delaware Contents I. Introduction to Green Infrastructure .........................................................................2

• BenefitsofGreenInfrastructure........................................................................................2• TypesofGreenInfrastructure............................................................................................3• PracticalConsiderations......................................................................................................4

• SiteConditions..............................................................................................................4• Sizing................................................................................................................................5• Construction...................................................................................................................5• Maintenance....................................................................................................................6• Costs.................................................................................................................................6• StormwaterRequirements.........................................................................................8• PermittingandLocalPlanning...................................................................................8

• GettingStarted....................................................................................................................... 8

II. Green Infrastructure at the Site Scale ...................................................................9• Introduction.............................................................................................................................9

• RainGardens................................................................................................................10• VegetatedSwales........................................................................................................ 12• TreeBoxesandTreeTrenches............................................................................... 14• RainBarrels,Cisterns,andDownspoutDisconnection..................................... 16• GreenRoofs.................................................................................................................. 18• UrbanTrees.................................................................................................................20• RiparianBuffers.......................................................................................................... 22• LivingShorelines........................................................................................................ 24

• CaseStudiesinDelaware.................................................................................................26• GreenInfrastructureintheUrbanSetting:Richardson&

RobbinsBuilding........................................................................................................ 26• GreenInfrastructureintheCoastalSetting:BlackbirdCreek........................ 28• GreenInfrastructureintheRuralSetting:CowBridgeBranch..................... 29

III. Green Infrastructure at the Landscape Scale .......................................................30• Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 30• BenefitsofGreenInfrastructureattheLandscapeScale......................................... 30• ManagementofGreenInfrastructureattheLandscapeScale.................................. 31• GreenInfrastructureinDelaware.................................................................................... 31

• Forests.......................................................................................................................... 32• Wetlands....................................................................................................................... 34• ShorelinesandFloodplains...................................................................................... 37

• NextSteps.............................................................................................................................38

IV. Resources .............................................................................................................39• RegulatoryAssistance......................................................................................................39• PermittingInformation....................................................................................................... 40• PlanningandTechnicalAssistance.................................................................................. 41• FundingResources.............................................................................................................42• TechnicalGuidanceReferences.......................................................................................44• MappingResources............................................................................................................48

2 GreenInfrastructurePrimerforDelaware

Introduction to Green InfrastructureGreeninfrastructureisanature-basedapproachtoaddressenvironmentalchallengessuchasstormwaterrunoff,flooding,erosion,andwaterandairpollution.Greeninfrastructureusesnaturalprocessestomanagewaterandimproveenvironmentalquality.

Greeninfrastructurecanbeusedatdifferentscales.Atthesitescale,greeninfrastructurefunctionsbymimickingtheprocessesthatoccurinlarger,naturalsystems.Thesenaturalprocessesincludeusingvegetationandsoilsto:

• filterpollutantsfromsurfaceandstormwater• improveinfiltrationofwaterintosoilandgroundwater• reducethevolumeofstormwaterduringhigh-intensityevents• moderateairandwatertemperaturesbyshadingandthroughevapotranspiration1

byplants

Greeninfrastructurecanbeusedinmanydifferentsettings.Forexample,treescanbeusedinurban,suburban,andruralsettings,inplantingsofoneortwotrees,orina100-foot-wideforestedbufferalongarivershoreline.Raingardensoflessthananacrecanhelpmanagestormwaterrunofffromroofsandparkingareas,whilealargerexpanseofwetlandscanprovidefloodretention,carbonstorage,andwildlifehabitat.

Benefits of Green Infrastructure Greeninfrastructurecanservemanyfunctionsandprovidemultiplebenefits—environmental,economic,social,andaesthetic.Awidevarietyofgreeninfrastructurepracticeshavebeendevelopedandusedformanagingstormwaterrunoff.Thesepracticesbenefitwaterqualitybyfilteringorabsorbingsediment,nutrients,andotherpollutants.Forexample,stabilizingstreambankstoprotectstructuresandhabitatin

shorelineareaspreventsorreduceserosionandimproveswaterquality.

Theimpactsofachangingclimate—withincreasingtemperaturesandvariablerainfall—underscorethepotentialbenefitsofgreeninfrastructure.Manygreeninfrastructurepracticescanhelp:

• providefloodretentionduringhightidesorheavyrainfallevents• moderatehightemperaturesbyshadingbuildingsandwaterways• providehabitatbyretainingexistingvegetationorexpandhabitatbyplantingnative

flowers,trees,andshrubs

1 Evapotranspirationisthecombinationoftwoprocesses:evaporationandtranspiration,bothofwhichreleasemoistureintotheair.Throughevaporation,waterisconvertedfromliquidtovaporandevaporatesfromsoil,lakes,rivers,andevenpavement.Throughtranspiration,waterthatwasdrawnupthroughthesoilbytherootsevaporatesfromtheleaves.(http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycletranspiration.html)

Green infrastructure incorporates both the natural environment and engineered systems to provide clean water, conserve ecosystem values and functions, and provide a wide array of benefits to people and wildlife.

— American Rivers

http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycletranspiration.html

http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycletranspiration.html


• capturecarbondioxidefromtheatmosphereandstoreitinplanttissuesandsoil,whichhelpstoreducegreenhousegasemissionstotheatmosphere

• absorbairpollutantssuchasground-levelozone,carbonmonoxide,andsulfurdioxide,andparticulatematter

Inadditiontoenvironmentalbenefits,greeninfrastructurecanoffereconomicbenefits,insomecaseswithlowercapitaloroperatingcostscomparedtoconventional“gray”infrastructure2.Byincreasingwaterstorageandfiltrationinthelandscape,greeninfrastructurecandecreasetheamountofrunoffgoingintosewersandwastewaterfacilities.Thiscanhelpreducetheriskofcostlydamagetowaterinfrastructurefromhigh-volumerainevents.Homeowners,businesses,andresidentscanalsobenefitfromtheaestheticvalueofgreeninfrastructure,enhancingpropertyvaluesandcontributingtocommunityqualityoflife.

Greeninfrastructurecanalsosupportpublichealthandprovidesocialbenefits,particularlythroughairqualityimprovements.Forexample,vegetationbarriersalonghigh-volumeroadwayscapturedust,soot,andotherparticulatematter,leadingtoimprovedairqualityandreductionsinhealthrisk.Inurbansettings,treescanreduceheatstressbyshadingbuildingsandpavedsurfaces,loweringairtemperatures,andresultinginreducedenergybills.

Oneaspectofgreeninfrastructurethatdistinguishesitfromgrayor“hard”infrastructureisthatthelivingcomponentsofgreeninfrastructurecanchangeandadapttochangingenvironmentalconditions.Theflexibilityoftheselivingsystemstotolerateandrecoverfromextremeconditionsisanimportantpartoftheirvalueinincreasingresiliencytoclimatechangeanditsimpacts.

Types of Green InfrastructureTwotypesofgreeninfrastructurearedescribedinthisprimer.Greeninfrastructurepracticesatthe“site scale”includeawidevarietyofsmallconstructiondesignsthataregenerallyusedinlandscapingandsitedevelopmentaroundoradjacenttoexistingstructures,includingbuildings,roads,andparkinglots.Somepractices,suchasriparianbuffersandlivingshorelines,aresuitedforsitesalongwaterways.

2 “Grayinfrastructure”generallyreferstoengineeredstructurescomposedofman-madematerials.

ThisformerbrownfieldsitealongConcordAve.inWilmingtonnowfunctionsasastormwaterbioswaleandbeautifiesthismajorcorridorasagatewayplanting.

PHOTO:DelawareCenterforHorticulture


Greeninfrastructureatthe“landscape scale”includestheprotection,restorationandenhancementoflarge,naturalsystemssuchaswetlands,forests,shorelines,andfloodplains.Wetlandandforesthabitatsprovidemanybenefitsbyfilteringandstoringsurfacerunoff,providingimportantwildlifehabitat,andstoringcarbon.

Greeninfrastructurepracticesmaybesimilarindesignorfunctiontootherkindsof“bestmanagementpractices”(BMPs)usedforwaterqualitymanagementandothergoals.ManyagriculturaloperatorshaveusedagriculturalBMPs3suchasvegetatedswales.Somecommunityplannersandprivatedevelopershaveexperiencewithlowimpactdevelopment(LID)4standardsthatincorporategreeninfrastructurepractices,suchasbioretentionorraingardens.

Practical ConsiderationsGreeninfrastructurecanbeusedtomeetoneormoreofarangeofobjectives.Thechoiceoftypesanddesignsforgreeninfrastructuredependsonmanyfactors,butshouldbeginwiththeprimaryoutcomesyouwanttoachieve.Whatisyourmainobjective?Manyofthegreeninfrastructurepracticesdescribedherecanbeusedtoachievemultiplebenefits,canbeusedincombination,andcanbeadaptedtoexistingsiteconditionsinbothdevelopedandundevelopedsettings.

Site ConditionsTheapplicationofgreeninfrastructurepracticesshouldfitthesiteconditions,includingexistingstructuresandvegetation,andconsidertheusesandactivitiesonthesite.Forexample,thedesignforalivingshorelineneedstoconsiderpotentialwaveactionaswellasintendedshorelineaccessforboatingorrecreationaluse.Siteconditionsthatshouldgenerallybeevaluatedalsoinclude:

• Geographicsetting:slope;exposuretowindorwaveaction;adjacentwaterwaysordrainagefeatures

• Soiltypes:infiltrationrateandstoragecapacity;soilwetness• Impervioussurface5:ahigherpercentageofimpervioussurfacetypicallyproduces

morerunoff• Vegetation:nativeornonnativeplants;invasiveplants;existingforests,

treesandshrubs• Contaminants:pollutedsitesmayrequireremediationpriorto,oraspartof,the

installationofgreeninfrastructure

3 Agriculturalbestmanagementpracticesareconservationpracticesthatalsoprovidewaterqualitybenefits.Source:USDepartmentofAgriculture

4 Lowimpactdevelopment(LID)isanapproachtolanddevelopment(orre-development)thatworkswithnaturetomanagestormwaterasclosetoitssourceaspossible.Source:USEPA.

5 Impervioussurfacereferstolandareacoveredbyroads,buildings,orpavement,whererainfallcannotbeabsorbedbysoilsorfilteredbyplants.Source:USGeologicalSurvey

Done right and under the right conditions, green infrastructure can reduce risks to people and property as effectively as traditional “gray” infrastructure can, while potentially providing a number of additional benefits.

— The Nature Conservancy


• Access:vehicleandequipmentaccessduringconstruction;accessforpublicorprivateuseofthesiteafterinstallation

• Utilities:locationofbothoverheadandundergroundutilities,suchaselectricitytransmission,gaslines,andwater/sewerlinesmaylimitoraffectthesuitabilityofagivensite

SizingGreeninfrastructurepracticesforstormwatermanagementaretypicallysizedtomanagerunofffromfrequent,smallerstormevents(mostoftenintherangeof1–2inchesofrainfallover24hours).Thesizeofgreeninfrastructureatthesitescaleapplicationshouldbedeterminedaccordingtothecharacterofthedrainageareaandlocalhydrology.Forinfrastructurewithanexpectedlifespanof30yearsormore,considerthepotentialeffectsofchangingclimateconditionsonthelong-termfunctionandcapacityoftheinfrastructureinitsdesignandlocation.

Thesizeandlocationoflandscapescalegreeninfrastructurealsoplayaroleintheenvironmentalbenefitsprovidedbynaturalsystems.Connectedareasofnativevegetationwillgenerallyoffergreaterbenefitsthanisolatedorfragmentedunitsofnaturalhabitat.Landscapescalenaturalsystemsthatlieinoradjacenttoflood-proneareasmayprovidefloodretentionandreduceerosionanddamagefromfloodevents.

ConstructionThefunctionalityofgreeninfrastructurecanbeimpairedbycommonconstructionmistakes,suchassoilcompactionfromheavyequipment,especiallywhenitisusedonsaturatedsoilconditions,anderosionandsedimentaccumulation.Constructionpracticesshouldincludestepstominimizesitedisturbanceandensureinstallationsuccess:

• Establishaprotectivezonearoundvaluednaturalareasandtreesthatwillbepreserved.

• Ensureaccurategradingforanygreeninfrastructurepracticesdesignedtomanagestormwater.

• Applyappropriateerosioncontrolstominimizesoilerosionasareasareclearedandgraded.• Minimizetheuseofheavyequipmentorvehiclesthatmaycompactsoilsand

decreaseinfiltrationrates.• Inspectallconstructionphasestoensureproperinstallation,especiallycritical

drainagestructuressuchasoutletsandoverflows.• Enhancesoilsasneededtoimproveplantestablishment;soilsinurbansettings

mayhaveinadequateorganicmaterialandrequireadditionoftopsoilorcomposttosupportvegetation,ormayrequirecustomizedsoilmixestoenhancefiltrationproperties.

• Timetheplantingtoreduceplantstressduringestablishment.

Green infrastructure can not only help improve water quality by better managing stormwater—sometimes even at a lower cost than conventional alternatives—but also can attract investment; help revive distressed neighborhoods; encourage redevelopment; provide recreational opportunities; and help achieve other social, economic, public health, and environmental goals.

— U.S. Environmental Protection Agency


Maintenance

Alltypesofinfrastructurerequiremaintenancetoensurethatitfunctionsproperlyunderbothnormalandextremeconditions.Greeninfrastructuremaintenanceisnoexception.Maintaininggreeninfrastructurecanincludetasksthataretypicaltolandscapemaintenance,aswellasadditionalmonitoringandcare.

• Weed,mow,andprunevegetationifneededsothatitremainshealthyanddoesnotposeotherhazards.

• Mowing,ifneeded,shouldbetimedtoavoidimpactstohabitatandwildlife;recommendedtimingformowingislatewinterorveryearlyspring(February–March).

• Maintenancemayrequireashiftinpractices,frommowingturftomaintainingdiverseplantingsoftrees,shrubs,andperennials.

• Trainmaintenancepersonneltodistinguishnativeplantsfromweeds.Controllinginvasivespeciesmayrequirephysicalcontrolmethodswhenherbicidemethodsarenotappropriate.

• Insomecommunities,localordinancesmayneedtobeamendedorrevisedtoallowfornativeplantsinraingardensorvegetativebuffers.

• Inadditiontoroutinemaintenance,inspectionsshouldbemadeafteranysevereweathereventordisturbancethatcoulddamagethefunctionofthegreeninfrastructurepractice.

Theeffectivenessofgreeninfrastructureisafunctionofitslocation,designspecifications,maintenanceprocedures,andperformanceexpectations.Maintenancepersonnelshouldbefamiliarwiththecharacteristicsandintendedfunctionofthegreeninfrastructurepracticesotheycanrecognizeproblemsandknowhowtheyshouldberesolved.Thelifespanofgreeninfrastructurevaries,dependingonpropermaintenanceaswellasexposuretoenvironmentalstresses.Forexample,livingshorelinesinareaswithmoderatewaveactionwilllikelyrequiremorefrequentmaintenanceandrepairthanthoseinquietwaters.Greeninfrastructurepracticesdesignedprimarilyforstormwatermanagementaregenerallyexpectedtohavealifespanof20years.6

CostsThecostsofinstallinggreeninfrastructurepracticesdependonmanyfactors,includingthematerialsandsourceoflabor,whetheraprojectrequiresprofessionaldesignandconstruction,andthesizeandscaleoftheproject.Permitandinspectionfeesmayalsoapply,andprojectsthatrequireengineeringoruseofheavyequipmentforinstallationarelikelytobecostly.Costscanalsovarydependingonwhethertheprojectispartofnewconstructionorretrofittedintoexistingdevelopment.Projects,suchasinstallingrainbarrelsorraingardens,whichcanbecompletedbythepropertyownerorwithvolunteerlabor,mayberelativelyinexpensive.

6 USEPA–CoastalStormwaterManagementthroughGreenInfrastructure:AHandbookforMunicipali-ties(2014).http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/nep/upload/MassBays_Handbook_combined_508-opt.pdf

http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/nep/upload/MassBays_Handbook_combined_508-opt.pdf


Itisalsoimportanttoconsiderfundingsourcessuchascost-sharegrantsthatmaybeavailable(seeResourcessection).Forexample,alivingshorelineprojectinstalledinLewes,Delaware,costjustunder$50perlinearfootformaterials,includingcoirlogs,coirmatting,stakes,oystershell,andseedlingplugsofnativeSpartina grass. 7ThisprojectwassupportedbygrantsfromtheSussexCountyConservationDistrictandDNREC.

Thecostsofusinggreeninfrastructureareoftenevaluatedincomparisontoconventionalgrayinfrastructure.Gray,orhard,infrastructureincludesawiderangeofengineeredtechniquesformanagingstormwater,surfacerunoff,andshorelineerosion.Althoughhardsystemscanbeeffective,thereareeconomicandenvironmentaltrade-offs,suchashighconstruction,maintenance,andrepaircosts;reducedhabitatvalues;andincreasedimpermeablesurfacearea.Weighingthedifferencebetweengreenandgrayinfrastructureoptionscanbecomplex,involvinganumberofvariables,includingmaintenancecosts,expectedlifespan,andlong-termfunctionality.Qualifieddesignersandengineersshouldbeconsultedtoconsiderthecostsandbenefitsofanylargeinfrastructureproject.TheUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyalsohasmanygoodresourcesthatofferin-depthinformationoncostsandbenefitsofgreeninfrastructure(seeResourcessection).

7 ShorelineRestorationofLewesBallField(DNREC)http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Documents/Lewes%20LS%20Handout.pdf

RegularmaintenanceforthisraingardenatUD’sLewesCampusinspringandlatesummerincludesmulching,weeding,thinningmatureandinvasivevegetationservesdualroleofgardenasattractiveandfunctionalgreeninfrastructurethroughtheyear.

PHOTO:DelawareSeaGrant

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Documents/Lewes%20LS%20Handout.pdf

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Documents/Lewes%20LS%20Handout.pdf


Stormwater Requirements

Whengreeninfrastructureisusedtomeetstormwatermanagementregulations,specificreviewandapprovalprocessesmustbefollowed.StateorlocalagenciesareresponsibleforSedimentandStormwaterProgramelementsconsistingofplanreview,constructioninspection,andmaintenanceinspectionfortheirgeographicboundaries(seeResourcessection).

Permitting and Local PlanningBeforeselectinganygreeninfrastructurepractice,aprojectplannershouldinvestigatewhatpermitsorplanningapprovalsareneeded.Whengreeninfrastructureisaddedtoanexisting,builtsite,localplanningandnaturalresourceagenciesshouldbeconsultedearlyintheprocess.

Greeninfrastructurepracticesthatinvolvemodificationofshorelinesorwetlandswillgenerallyrequirereviewandapprovalbystateand/orfederalagencies.AuthorizationfromtheDNREC,DivisionofWater,WetlandsandSubaqueousLandsSectionisrequiredforactivitiesintidalwetlandsaswellastidalandnontidalwatersintheStateofDelaware(seeResourcessection).

Getting StartedThisPrimeroffersanintroductiontounderstandingwhatgreeninfrastructureisandhowitcanbebeneficial—atboththesitescaleandthelandscapescale.

PartIIincludesfactsheetsforeightsitescalegreeninfrastructurepractices:raingardens;vegetatedswales;treeboxesandtreetrenches;rainbarrels,cisterns,anddownspoutdisconnection;greenroofs;urbantrees;riparianbuffers;andlivingshorelines.EachfactsheetincludesaphotoofaDelawaresiteutilizingoneormoreofthesepractices.Thebenefits,siteanddesignconsiderations,maintenanceconcernsarealsosummarized.Thisselectionisnotacomprehensiveguide,butprovidesanintroductiontotechniquescurrentlyusedinurban,rural,andcoastalsettingsinDelaware.

Followingtheeightfactsheets,threecasestudiesprovideexamplesofsitescalegreeninfrastructurepracticesinurban,coastal,andruralsettings.AstategovernmentbuildinginDoverillustratestheuseofgreeninfrastructureretrofittedintothesiteofanexisting,historicstructure.TheBlackbirdCreeklivingshorelineprojectdemonstratestheuseofnaturalmaterialsandlivingplantstohelprestorehabitatandreduceshorelineerosion.TheCowBridgeBranchriparianbufferinSussexCountyisanexampleofstreamrestorationinaruralsetting.

PartIIIdescribestheimportanceofprotecting,enhancing,andrestoringgreeninfrastructureatthelandscapescale.Thissectionprovidesabriefsummaryofforests,wetlands,shorelinesandfloodplains.

PartIVoffersarangeofresourcestofurtheryourunderstandingandhelpyoulearnhowgreeninfrastructurecanbeincorporatedorenhancedinyourarea.Thisincludesinformationonwhomtocontactforregulatoryassistance,planningandtechnicalassistance,permittinginformation,andfundingresources.Alsoincludedisalistofselecteddocumentsthatprovidetechnicalguidanceforplanningandsitescalepractices.Finally,severalmappingresourcesarelisted.

Green infrastructure is an important and underutilized tool for increasing community resilience to the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

— U.S. Department of Housing and

Urban Development


Green Infrastructure at the Site Scale

IntroductionThissectionincludesfactsheetsdescribingaselectionofeightsitescalegreeninfrastructurepractices:

• Raingardens• Vegetatedswales• Treeboxesandtreetrenches• Rainbarrels,cisterns,anddownspoutdisconnection• Greenroofs• Urbantrees• Riparianbuffers• Livingshorelines

Greeninfrastructurepracticesatthesitescalecanprovidemultiplebenefits.Theperformanceofthesepracticesdependsonspecificsiteconditions,theprojectdesign,andtheconstructionandmaintenanceoftheinstalledpractice.Inaddition,greeninfrastructurecanenhancelandscapeaestheticsandaddtocommunityqualityoflife.Usingvegetationalsooffersairqualitybenefitsasplantsabsorbpollutants,helpmoderatehightemperaturesbyshadingbuildingsandpavement,andstorecarbon,thushelpingtomitigategreenhousegasemissions.Costsalsovarygreatlywiththesize,scale,materials,labor,andengineeringneedsforthespecificproject.Thetablebelowsummarizessomeofthebenefitsandrelativecosts.

Green Infrastructure Practice Environmental Benefit

Stormwater

Runoff Reduction

Flood Infiltration

Improved Water Quality

Erosion Control

Wildlife/ Pollinator Habitat Cost

Rain Garden ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ $

Planter/Tree Box ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ $$

Vegetated Swale ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ $$

Green Roof ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ $$$

Rain Barrel, Cistern, Downspout Disconnection ✔ ✔ $

Urban Forest ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ $

Riparian Buffer ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ $$

Living Shoreline ✔ ✔ ✔ $$$


Rain GardensAraingardenisashallowdepressionwithvegetationthatallowstherainwaterandstormwatertocollectandinfiltrateintotheground.Typicallyinstalledincommunityandresidentialareas,raingardensaredesignedtoholdrainwaterinplace.Raingardensandbioretentionsystemscollectandfilterstormwaterthroughlayersofmulch,soil,andplantrootsystemswherepollutantsareretainedandabsorbedusingaspeciallyengineeredsoilmedia.Bioretentionsystemsoftenhaveadrainsystematorbelowthesurface,butraingardensgenerallydonot.

Benefits:• Managestormwaterbyallowingittoinfiltrateintothesoilandtheplantswhich:

• Reducespollution• Reducesvolumeofwaterdischargedtosewersystems

• Providenaturalhabitatforpollinatinginsects• Beautifyalocalcommunity

Site and Design Considerations:• Slopeofthelandscapeisimportant;raingardensfunctionbestongentleslopes

rangingfrom1to10percent.• Raingardensarebestlocatedwheresurfacewaterdrainsoffpavedsurfacesor

turfgrass,suchasthedownhillslopeofadrivewayorpatio.• Avoidareaswithpoordrainagethatwillnotsupportinfiltration.• Avoidcompactionofsoilbyheavyequipment.

RAIN GARDEN, UD LEWES CAMPUS TheraingardenattheUniversityofDelaware’sHughR.SharpCampusinLeweswasdesignedtoprovideinfiltrationofsurfacewaterrunofffromtheadjacentparkingarea.Thegardenwasinstalledin2010withassistancefromDelawareSeaGrantandDNREC.

PHOTO CREDIT:DelawareSeaGrant


• Makesurethattheraingardenisinstalledatleast10–30feetawayfromanybuilding.Besuretocheckbuildingcodesandlocalsetbackordinances.

• Plantselectionshouldincludenativespeciesthattoleratebothwetconditionsanddrought.

Maintenance:• Removeanytrashordebristhathasaccumulatedinthegarden.• Monitorvegetationfordamagebyinsectsandotherpests.• Controlinvasivespecies.• Provideregularirrigationandweedcontroluntilplantsarewellestablished.• Maintainpropertrimmingandpruningoftheplants,andremoveanyweedsthat

appearintheraingarden.• Addmulchtotheraingardentopreservesoilmoistureandreducesoilerosion.

Resources:RainGardensfortheBaysMid-AtlanticNationalEstuaryProgramswebsitehttp://www.raingardensforthebays.org/

UniversityofDelaware–CooperativeExtensionFactsheet–RainGardens(2009)–8pageshttp://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Rain_Gardens.pdf

CenterforNeighborhoodTechnology–RainReadyForhomeowners:http://rainready.org/for-homeowners/your-yard

ILLUSTRATION:JefferyMathison

http://www.raingardensforthebays.org/

http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Rain_Gardens.pdf

http://rainready.org/for-homeowners/your-yard


Vegetated SwalesAvegetatedswale,orbioswale,isashallowchannelwithdensevegetationthatconveysandslowsdownstormwaterrunoffandhelpsitinfiltratetheground.Usuallylocatedneararoadoraparkinglot,swalescanbeutilizedtoincreasestormwaterfiltration.

Benefits:• Reducestormwaterrunoffthroughinfiltration• Reducetheflowvelocityofstormwaterintothelocaldrainagesystem• Trapparticulatepollutantsfromroadways,parkingareas,andotherpavedsurfaces• Providehabitatbenefitsfornativespecies,includingbirdsandpollinatinginsects• Increaseurbantreecanopyandenhancetheaestheticvalueforthecommunity

Site and Design Considerations:• Swalescanbeplacedandmodifiedinmanywaysalongsideroadsandpavedareas.• Roadsandparkinglotsshouldbeengineeredtohaveagradientthatallowswater

toflowintotheswale.Theswaleisthenconstructedusuallywitha6percentslopetoallowthewatertoflowalongtheswaleandinfiltrateasmuchaspossible.

• Densevegetationmustbeestablishedandmaintainedtohelpretainwaterandpromoteinfiltration.Plantselectionshouldbebasedonmaintenance,habitat,andpollutioncontrolobjectives.

• Swalescanbeincorporatedintoasitedrainageplan,andoftenworkmostefficientlyincombinationwithotherstormwaterpractices.Forexample,swalescanprovideeffectivepretreatmentofstormwaterbeforeitflowstowetlands.

WASHINGTON STREET BIOSWALE, SEAFORD ThisvegetatedswaleinSeaforddivertsrunoffawayfromtheexistingstormsewer,reducingflowsinthestormwatersystemandincreasingfloodprotectionintheadjacentroadsandneighborhoods.TheprojectreceivedfundingthroughDelawareCleanWaterStateRevolvingFund(CWSRF)GreenProjectReserveloanprogram.

PHOTO CREDIT:EnvironmentalFinance,DNREC


• Siteswithveryflatorverysteeptopography,orwithpoorlydrainedsoils,maynotbesuitableforvegetatedswales.Areaswithhigh-volumeorhigh-velocityrunoffwillbevulnerabletoerosionandmayrequireamorerigorousengineereddesign.

• Swaleslocatednexttoaroadorpedestrianareashouldbedesignedwithaculvertorwalkwaytoallowaccessovertheswale.Pedestriansorvehiclescandamagetheswalebydisturbingthevegetationandbycompactionofthesoils.

Maintenance:• Checkfrequentlytoremoveanytrashordebrisaccumulatingintheswale.• Monitorvegetationfordeclineormortality.• Monitorandcontrolinvasivespeciesandunwantedvegetation.• Periodicallymowortrimvegetationasneededtoprotectplanthealthandmaintain

safetyandvisibility.Mowingshouldbetimedtoavoidimpactstohabitatandwildlife;recommendedtimingformowingislatewinterorveryearlyspring(February–March).

• Addmulchandsoiltodamagedorerodedareasandreplacedeadordecliningtreesorshrubs.

Resources:DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControlFactsheet–Howtomaintainprivateroadsideswaleshttp://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/SiteCollectionDocuments/Soil/Sediment%20Stormwater/SwaleBrochure.pdf


http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/SiteCollectionDocuments/Soil/Sediment%20Stormwater/SwaleBrochure.pdf


Tree Boxes and Tree TrenchesTreeboxesandtreetrenchesaretypesofbioretentionsystems.Thesesystemscollectandfilterstormwaterthroughlayersofmulch,soil,andplantrootsystemswherepollutantsareretainedandabsorbed.Treeboxesandtreetrenchesaregenerallydesignedtomanagestormwaterrunofffromfrequent,small-magnitudestorms,butmayprovidestormwaterdetentionfromlargestormsorprolongedperiodsofrainfall.

Atreeboxisaprecastconcretestructureinstalledbelowgroundlevel.Itcanbeinstalledwherespaceislimitedinurbansettings,andfunctionsasacompactbioretentionsystem.Thesoilmediaaddedtoatreeboxisamixturedesignedforrapidinfiltration,suchas80percentsandand20percentcompost.Othermediamaybedesignedtofilteroutspecificpollutants.Treeboxesaregenerallydesignedwithaswingtreegate,whichprotectsthevegetationandhelpsfilterstormdebris.

Atreetrenchisasystemoftreesthatareconnectedbyanundergroundinfiltrationstructure.Typicallyplantedasalineofstreettrees,atreetrenchhasanengineeredsystemunderthesurfaceorsidewalkdesignedtomanagestormwater.Stormwaterrunoffflowsintothetreetrenchthroughporouspavement,surfacegrates,orcurbdrains.Therunoffisstoredinthesoilmedium,wateringthetreesandslowlyinfiltratingthroughthebottom.Treetrenchesmaybedesignedwithstoneunderlyingthesoil,tostorestormwateruntilitcaninfiltrate.

Benefits:• Removepollutantsandnutrientsfromstormwaterrunoffbyfilteringthemthrough

thesoilandabsorptionbythetree• Reducestormwaterrunoffbycollectingandretainingwaterthatwouldotherwise

bedischargedintosewersystemsorsurfacewatersofstreamsorrivers• Increasetreecanopyandenhancetheaestheticvalueofthecommunity

LOCUST STREET TREE TRENCH, WILMINGTON TheLocustStreettreetrenchutilizesadjacentpublicopenspacetodivertstormwaterflow,whilecapturingstreetflowinthetrenchitself.

PHOTO CREDIT:DelawareCenterforHorticulture


Site and Design Considerations:• Bioretentionsystemsarenotsuitableinareaswithhighwatertableorwithin

designatedfloodplains.• Treeboxesandtreetrenchesshouldbelocatedtoavoidinterferencewith

undergroundutilities,particularlywaterandsewerlines.

Maintenance:• Provideregularirrigationandweedcontroluntiltreesarewellestablished.• Prunetreesoncetheyareestablishedtopreventsafetyhazardstopedestrians,

overheadutilitylines,oradjacentbuildings.• Removeanyaccumulatedtrashordebris.• Monitorvegetationfordamagebyinsectsandotherpests.• Controlinvasivespecies.• Removetreesthatareindecline.

Resources:DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControlPostConstructionStormwaterBMPStandardsandSpecificationshttp://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/pages/sedimentstormwater.aspx

NewJerseyCooperativeExtensionGreenInfrastructurePractices:TreeBoxeshttps://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1209/

City of Lancaster Green Infrastructure Plan Fact sheet – Tree Trench http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004822.pdf


http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/pages/sedimentstormwater.aspx


https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1209/

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004822.pdf



Rain Barrels, Cisterns, and Downspout DisconnectionsRainbarrelsandcisternsare“rainwatercapture”systemsthatcollectandstorerainwaterfromaroofthatwouldotherwisebelosttorunoffanddivertedtostormdrainsandstreams.Arainbarrelusuallyconsistsofa55-gallondrumthatcansitconvenientlyunderanyresidentialgutterdownspout.

Acisternisalargertankthatholdsuptoseveralhundredgallonsandusesasmallpumptodistributethewaterthroughoutthelandscape.

Incommunitieswhereguttersanddownspoutsareconnectedtothepublicstormsewer,downspoutdisconnectionscanbeaneffectivestrategyforreducingsewervolumesandredirectingstormwaterontolawns,raingardens,orotherlandscaping.Thisallowsrainwatertofilterintosoilson-site,reducingstormwatervolumeandincreasinginfiltrationtogroundwater.

Benefits: • Reducestormwatervolumebycapturingrunofffromimperviousroofsurfaces• Redirectrunofftoinfiltrationsystemsinsteadofintostormsewers• Decreaseanddelaypeakrunoffbystoringrainwaterforlateruse• Reducewaterpollutionbyreducingstormwaterrunoff,whichcancontain

pollutantssuchassediment,oil,grease,bacteria,andharmfulnutrients• Conserveswaterandlowerswaterbillsbyreducingtheuseofpotablewaterfor

landscapeirrigationandotherusessuchaswashingwindowsorcars

Site and Design Considerations:• Rainbarrelsmustberaisedorplacedabovegradientofinfiltrationareatoallow

gravityflowofwaterforuseinlandscapingorotheruses.• Forrainbarrelswithoverflowvalvesandwithdownspoutdisconnections,make

surewaterdrainsawayfromstructuresanddoesnotflowontopavement,sidewalks,orneighboringproperties.

• Rainbarrelsareprimarilydesignedforsmallstormevents.Inahalf-inchstorma1,000square-footroofcancaptureroughly300gallonsofwater,butmostrainbarrelsholdonlyabout55gallons.Rainwatercapturesystemscanbedesignedforaddedcapacityorprovidedwithoverflowvalvesorstructurestodivertwaterawayfromafullcontainer.

• Downspoutdisconnectionsrequireanadequatereceivingarea,suchasagarden,planter,orvegetatedswalewithgoodinfiltration.

APPOQUINIMINK ENVIRONMENTAL CLASSROOM TheAppoquiniminkSchoolDistrict’sEnvironmentalClassroominMiddletowninstalledrainbarrelsconnectedtoahydrationsystemthatwatersthedemonstrationgardenfilledwithvegetablesandherbs.Theprojectisoneofthefirstinthenationfocusingonconservationandcutting-edgegreentechnologiesandteachingmethods.

PHOTO CREDIT:EricCrossan,GilbertArchitects,Inc.


• Acisterncanbedesignedforabovegroundorundergroundlocations.Apumpisgenerallyrequired,andemergencyoverflowsystemsmaybeneededincaseofpoweroutage.

• Rainwatercollectedfromrooftopsisnotpotableandshouldnotbeusedfordrinking,cooking,orbathing.Itmaybecontaminatedbyresidueordebrisontheroofsurface,orbythebreakdownofroofingmaterial.

Maintenance:• Rainbarrelsandcisternsmustbe

emptiedbetweenstormeventstopreventoverflow.Installationofflowbypassvalvesmayalsobeusedtomanagelargerstormevents.

• Rainbarrelsshouldbedrainedanddisconnectedfromthedownspoutduringwintermonthstopreventicedamage.Itisrecommendedthatyouremovetheexistingdownspoutandelbowinlatefall,storeitintactduringthewintermonths,andreinstallitinthespring.

• Finemeshscreenshouldbeusedtocoveranyopeningsintherainbarreltopreventmosquitoes,shieldfromsmallanimals,andtrapdebris.Foraddedmosquitoprotection,addatablespoonofvegetableoiltothewateroruseamosquitodunkthatkillsmosquitoeggsbutisnottoxictoplantsandanimals.

• Periodicinspectionofvalves,hoses,andscreensisnecessarytoaddressclogsorleaks.

Resources:UniversityofDelawareCooperativeExtensionFactSheet:RainBarrelshttp://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Harvesting_Water.pdf

UniversityofDelaware–SeaGrant:ReportonNaturalStormwaterManagementhttp://www.deseagrant.org/products/protecting-water-quality-smart-growth-strategies-and-natural-stormwater-management-sussex


http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Harvesting_Water.pdf

http://www.deseagrant.org/products/protecting-water-quality-smart-growth-strategies-and-natural-stormwater-management-sussex




Green RoofsAgreenroofisaroofpartiallyorcompletelycoveredwithlivingplantsandsoilorothergrowingmedium.Greenroofshelpreducetemperaturesontheroofsurfaceandthesurroundingairduringhotsummermonths,andcanabsorbandfilterrainwater,thusreducingtheamountofstormwaterrunoff.

“Extensive”greenroofsuseathinlayeroflow-growing,herbaceousplants.Thisdesignhasashallowdepthofsoilorgrowingmedium,requireslittlemaintenanceonceestablished,andcanbeadaptedtomanyrooftypes.

“Intensive”greenroofsaredesignedwithlargerplants(treesandshrubs,3–15feet)withdeepersoils.Theyhavegreatermaintenancerequirements.Theseareoftendesignedasrooftopgardenswithpublicaccessandwalkways,andthushavegreaterengineeringrequirementstosupporttheirweight.

Benefits:• Reduceenergyneededtocoolandheatbuildingsbyabsorbingheatandactingasinsulation• Captureandmanagestormwater,reducingthevolumeofrunoffandimproving

waterqualitybyfilteringandbindingpollutants• Improveairqualitybyremovingairpollutants• Providehabitatforpollinatinginsectsandbirds

Site and Design Considerations:• Neworexistingbuildingsmustbeengineeredproperlytosupporttheextraweight

ofthegreenroof,whichvariesdependingondesign:• Extensivegreenroofsgenerallyweighbetween12and50poundspersquarefoot,

comparedto10-12poundspersquarefootforaconventionalroof.• Intensivegreenroofsareconsiderablyheavier,weighing80-150poundsper

squarefoot.• Robustengineeringdesignandmaterialsareessentialtopreventleaksintothestructure.

• Theslopeoftheroofisafactorforbothdesignandfunction:• Iftheroofisinclinedtoomuch,theplantswillnotbeabletoabsorbthewatereffectively.• Flatorgentlyslopingroofsaremostaccommodating,butroofswithasmuchas

40percentslopecansupportvegetationwithappropriatedesignandengineering.• Plantselectionmustincludeperennialspeciesthatareheat-tolerantanddrought-

resistantduetotheconstantexposuretotheheat,cold,andwind.Forextensivegreenroofs,succulentsgenerallyperformwellduetotheirdroughttolerance,abilitytotakeuplargeamountsofwater,andlowmaintenancerequirements.

DOVER LIBRARY GREEN ROOF ThegreenroofwasinstalledontheDoverPublicLibrarybuildingin2012.Itisplantedwithnativeplantsthatthrivewithouttheuseofirrigation.Therainwaterfromthebuilding’sroofiscollectedthroughtheGreenRoofandisusedasGreyWaterintheFamilyRestroomwhichislocatedundertheGreenRoofintheChildren’sDepartment.

PHOTO CREDIT:DoverLibraryandtheCityofDover


• Greenroofscanbedesignedincombinationwithconventionalroofs.Evenbuildingsthatcannotaccommodateanentiregreenroofmaystillabletofitasmalloneonaportionoftheroof.This“hybrid”approachisimportantwhendesignersaretryingtoreduceabuilding’stotalareaofimpermeablesurface.Althoughtheroofwillnotbeentirelygreen,itwillstillbeabletoreduceenergyusesandcontrolafairamountofstormwater.

Maintenance:• Plantsrequireregularirrigationandweedcontroluntiltheyareestablished(about

twoyears).• Extensivegreenroofsaredesignedtobeself-sustaining,onceestablished,with

annualmaintenancechecksandminimalfertilizerapplications.• Intensivegreenroofsrequireregularlandscapemaintenance,includingweeding,

pruning,andwatering.Thelevelofcarewilldependonthedesignandspeciesselection.• Vegetationshouldbemonitoredtoremoveandreplacedeadordiseasedplants.• Invasivespeciesshouldbecontrolled.

Resources:UniversityofDelaware–CooperativeExtension:FactsheetonGreenRoofshttp://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Green_Roofs.pdf

USEPA–greenroofinfohttp://www.epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/greenroofs.htm

GreenRoofsforHealthyCities:GreenRoofspolicybrochurehttp://greenroofs.org/index.php/about/green-wall-benefits/2-uncategorised/328-policy-brochure-2014


http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Green_Roofs.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/greenroofs.htm

http://greenroofs.org/index.php/about/green-wall-benefits/2-uncategorised/328-policy-brochure-2014



Urban TreesPlantingandmaintainingtreesinurbansettings—fromlargecitiestosmalltowns—providesawiderangeofeconomic,environmental,andsocialbenefits,particularlyduetoairqualityimprovements.Forexample,addingtreesinurbanneighborhoodscanleadtoreductionsinparticulatematterconcentrationsandotherpollutants.

Inurbansettings,treescanreduceheatstressbyloweringairtemperaturesandshadingbuildingsandpavedsurfaces.Duringpeaktemperatureperiods,shadedsurfacesmaybeupto45˚Fcoolerthanunshadedsurfaces,adifferencethatcanhelpreduceairtemperaturesby2–9˚F.Eveninsuburbanareas,landscapeswithmaturetreescanbe4–6˚Fcoolerthansuburbswithouttrees. Theseclimateregulationservicescanimprovepublichealthandreduceenergycosts.InNewCastleCounty,urbantreesprovideanestimatedannualsavingsofmorethan$400,000inresidentialbuildingenergycosts.

Benefits:• Reducestormwaterrunoffandfloodingbyinterceptingandstoringrainwater• Improvewaterqualitybyfilteringsurfacerunoffandimprovinginfiltration• Improveairqualitybyabsorbingpollutantsthroughtheleavesoftrees• Shadebuildingsandpavement,reducingenergydemandforcoolinginsummer• Bufferbuildingsfromwind,reducingenergydemandforheatinginwinter• Capturecarbondioxidefromtheatmosphereandstoreitinplanttissuesandsoil• Reducesoilerosionbydiminishingthevolumeandvelocityofrainfallasitfalls

throughthecanopy,lesseningtheimpactofraindropsonbaresurfaces• Increaseaestheticvalueandincreasepropertyvalues

Site and Design Considerations:• Whenselectingtreespecies,considersiteandenvironmentalfactors,including:

• Sizeofplantingspace• Overheadandundergroundutilities• Heatanddroughtstress• Roadsaltusedinwinter• Exposuretohighvolumesofwind

• Successfulestablishment,growth,andhealthoftreesdependonsoilvolume.Largertreesprovidegreaterbenefit—moreshadeandrainwaterabsorption—but

URBAN FOREST, WILMINGTON Volunteertreeplantingprojects,likethisonecompletedinOctober2015alongWilmington’sMatsonRun,helptomanagestormwaterandmitigateminorflooding,provideformaturetreecanopyinthefuture,increasespeciesdiversity,beautifytheneighborhood,andengagethepublicinpromotinggreeninfrastructuresolutions.

PHOTO CREDIT:DelawareCenterforHorticulture


needgreatersoilvolume.Forexample,atreewithacanopyspreadof30feetgenerallyrequires1,000cubicfeetofuncompactedsoil.

• Specificsitingofurbantreescanincreasetheirbenefits:• Treesplantedonthesouthorsouthwestsideofabuildingprovidesnaturalcooling

andhelpsreduceenergyuseforcoolinginsummer.• Treesplantedonasidewherethereiscontinuouswindcanhelpbufferwinter

windsandreduceenergyuseforheatinginthewinter.Maintenance:

• Waternewlyplantedtreestoalleviatedroughtstressandmonitorfordiseasesand/orinsectdamage.

• Usemulchtoretainmoisture.• HavetreesprunedbyanInternationalSocietyofArboriculture(ISA)certifiedarborist.• Oncetreesareestablished(3-5years),pruningmaybeneededtoremoveany

diseased,dead,ordamagedbranches.• Controlinvasivespecies.

Resources:DelawareCenterforHorticulturehttp://urbanforest.dehort.org/download-full-report

USEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyStormwatertoStreetTrees:EngineeringUrbanForestsforStormwaterhttp://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/upload/stormwater2streettrees.pdf

WatershedForestryResourceGuidehttp://forestsforwatersheds.org/planting-and-maintaining-trees/


http://urbanforest.dehort.org/download-full-report

http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/uplo%20ad/stormwater2streettrees.pdf

http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/uplo%20ad/stormwater2streettrees.pdf

http://forestsforwatersheds.org/planting-and-maintaining-trees/

http://forestsforwatersheds.org/planting-and-maintaining-trees/


Riparian BuffersRiparianbuffersarevegetatedareasadjacenttowaterwaysthathelpfilterrainfallandrunoff,absorbandretainhighstreamflows,andprovideimportantwildlifehabitat.Bufferslinkterrestrialuplandstostream,river,orwetlandecosystems.Buffersincludeavarietyofplanted,restored,orenhancednaturalhabitats,hostingdifferenttypesofvegetation.

Protectingorexpandingexistingbuffersisthebestoptionforachievinggreeninfrastructurebenefits,butcreatingnewbuffersinareaswherenativevegetationhasbeenremovedordegradedcanhelpimprovehabitatandwaterquality,andprovideprotectionfromfloodinganderosion.

Thewidthofbufferscanvarygreatly;aminimumbufferwidthof100feetisgenerallyrecommendedtominimizeimpactstowaterquality,butsmallerbufferscanstillprovideimportantwaterqualitybenefitsinareasthatarealreadydeveloped(e.g.alongastreaminanurbanenvironment).Largerbuffersarerecommendedforareasadjacenttocertainhabitats.Forexample,buffersof450feetormoreinwidtharerecommendedforareasnearcoastalplainseasonalpondsandvernalpoolwetlands,duetothehabitatrequirementsofsensitivespecies.



Benefits:

• Improvewaterqualitybyfilteringpollutants,nutrients,andsedimentfromsurfacerunoffbyallowingthewatertoflowthroughthebufferzoneandabsorbingharmfulsubstances

• Reducedamagefromfloodingbyslowingthevelocityoffloodwatersandprovidingincreasedfloodstoragecapacity

• Stabilizestreambanksandreduceshorelineerosion• Moderatewatertemperaturesandoxygentoprotectfishandotheraquaticspecies• Enhancewildlifehabitatforterrestrialandaquaticspecies

Site and Design Considerations:• Vegetationinthebuffershouldconsistofnativespeciestolerantofsoiltypeand

environmentalconditionsofthesite.• Diverseplantsinabuffer,includingtreesandshrubs,providemoreeffective

pollutionreductionandsoilstabilizationthanasimplegrassfilterstrip.• Siteconditionsthatmayrequirelargerbufferwidthsinclude:

• Rareorsensitivehabitattypes,suchasvernalpoolwetlands• Steepslopesand/orhighlyerodiblesoils• Alteredhydrologyfromdevelopmentonadjacentuplands

• Buffersarebeneficialinareaswithdispersedsurfaceflow(sheetflow)butmaynotbesuitableforareaswithconcentratedflowfromapipeorchannel,whererunoffvelocityistoohightoallowfilteringandabsorption.

Maintenance:• Controlweedyorinvasivespeciesthatmayaffectnativespeciesinthebufferzone.• Mowing,ifneeded,shouldbetimedtoavoidimpactstohabitatandwildlife;

recommendedtimingformowingislatewinterorveryearlyspring(February–March).

• Monitorhealthandgrowthofvegetation,checkingforinsectpestsanddiseases.Controlmeasuresshouldconsiderpotentialenvironmental,waterquality,andwildlifeimpacts.

• Monitorvegetationinflood-proneareasafterstormsandextremehightides.Restorationorreplantingmaybeneededtoreplaceplantsdamagedbyfloodingorsaltwaterintrusion.Areasofthebufferthatexperiencerepeateddamagemayrequireamorerobustengineereddesigntobetterwithstandstormsandhightides.

Resources:UniversityofDelaware–SeaGrant: Delaware NEMO Guide Chapter 3 – Maintaining Riparian Areas and Wetlands http://nemo.udel.edu/manual.aspx

DelawareRiverkeeper–Factsheet:RiparianBuffershttp://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/resources/Factsheets/Riparian_Buffers.pdf

DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControlRiparianBuffersbrochurehttp://www.dnrec.state.de.us/DNREC2000/Library/RIPARIANBUFFERS1.PDF

http://nemo.udel.edu/manual.aspx

http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/resources/Factsheets/Riparian_Buffers.pdf


http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/DNREC2000/Library/RIPARIANBUFFERS1.PDF

http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/DNREC2000/Library/RIPARIANBUFFERS1.PDF


Living ShorelinesAlivingshorelineprovidesshorelinestabilizationanderosioncontrolwhilealsopreservingorenhancinghabitatandwaterquality.Livingshorelinesaredesignedwithlivingplants(emergentandsubmergedaquaticvegetation)andstructuresmadewithnaturalmaterials(oystershells,earthenmaterials,orplantfiberlogs)tohelpprotecttheshorelinefromstormsandwaves.Livingshorelinesmayalsoincorporateoysters,mussels,orothershellfishthatformstablereefsandhelpfilterwaterastheyfeed.

Benefits:• Reduceerosionandallowsedimentaccumulationtosupporthabitat• Restorehabitatthathasbeendegradedbyerosion• Filtersurfacerunofffromadjacentuplands,improvingwaterquality• Promoteahigherabundanceanddiversityofplantsandanimalspecies• Helpshorelineskeeppacewithsealevelrisebyreducingwaveenergyandflooding

Site and Design Considerations:• Physicalenvironment

• Soiltype,bankelevationandslope,erosionrates• Waterdepth,salinity,prevailingwinddirection,tidecycle

• Existingstructures• Hardshorelinestabilizationstructuressuchasbulkheadsorbreakwaters• Docksorboatramps

• Vegetation• Presenceofexistingvegetation(typeandstructure)willinfluenceprojectdesign

andplantselection• Livingshorelineprojectsshouldincludenativespeciesthataresuitedtosalinity

andwaterdepth• Shorelinewaveaction

• Nowake/Lowwake–“Lowenergy”shorelineswherethewaveactionisminimal,suchasstreamsandtidalcreeks,canbegoodlocationsforlivingshorelinesusingplants,fiberlogs,andshellfish

• Mediumwake–Intributariesandriverswithhigherwaveenergy,alivingshorelinemayrequirea“hybrid”designusing“oystercastles”,logbreakwaters,orotherstructuresparalleltotheshorelinetohelpreducewaveaction

• Highwake–Shorelineswithhighwaveenergy,suchasneardeepwaterandgreaterboattraffic,mayrequireadditionalstructurestodiminishwaveenergy,ormaynotbesuitableforalivingshoreline

LEWES CANAL LIVING SHORELINE ThegoaloftheLewesCanallivingshorelineistoprotectthepropertyfromfurthererosionduetoboatwakeandwaveenergyandpreventtheerodingsedimentfrombuildingupinthecanal.Theprojectstructures,includingcoconutfibercoirlogs,coconutmats,andoystershellbags,wereinstalledinApril2014andplantedinApril2015.

PHOTO CREDIT:WetlandMonitoringandAssessmentProgram,DNREC


Maintenance:

• Performinstallationandmaintenanceatlowtide,whentheplantsandstructuresareexposedandaccessible

• Mayneedtobackfill“cells”(areabetweencoirlogs)withsandandtopsoiltoenhancenaturalfillingofsediment

• Mayneedtoadjustthecellheightwithadditionalcoirlogsiftheysinkorsettletokeepelevationintheoptimalplantgrowthrange

• Weedyorinvasivespeciesshouldbecontrolledbeforeandafterinstallation• Ifdrydaysoccurafterplanting,waterplantsontheuplandedgetokeepthemfrom

wiltinganddying• Immediatelyremoveandreplaceplantsthatdieorarediseasedsotheydon’taffect

theothervegetation• Monitorthefiberlogsandmatting;becausetheyarebiodegradable,fiberlogs

andsupportpostsmayneedtobereplacediftheyrotorbreakdownbeforetheshorelineisstabilized

• Installtemporaryfencingifneededtocontrolwaterfowl,becausetheyareknowntofeedonfreshlyplantedvegetation

Resources:PartnershipforDelawareEstuaryhttp://delawareestuary.org/living-shorelines

DelawareNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControlEducationandOutreachwebpagehttp://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Pages/Library_Education_Outreach.aspx

NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)LivingShorelinePlanningandImplementationhttp://www.habitat.noaa.gov/restoration/techniques/lsimplementation.html


http://delawareestuary.org/living-shorelines

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Pages/Library_Education_Outreach.aspx


http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/restoration/techniques/lsimplementation.html



Case Study: Green Infrastructure in the Urban SettingRichardson & Robbins Building – Dover (Kent County)

The“R&RBuilding”isthestateofficebuildingindowntownDoverthathousestheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControl(DNREC).Thebuildingwasoriginallybuiltasacanneryinthe1800s,andhasbeenadaptedovertheyearsasastateoffice.Sincethebuildingishistoric,itdidnotoriginallyhaveanystormwatermanagementcontrols,butDNREChasaddedpracticestoreducetheamountofrunoffandpollutioncomingfromthebuildingandenteringtheSt.JonesRiverwatershed.

TheR&RBuildingprovidesanexampleofhowgreeninfrastructurepracticescanberetrofittedtoanexistingbuilding.Thesepracticesincludedownspoutdisconnections,rainbarrels,planterboxes,andaraingarden.Becauseofthesizeofthebuildingroofareaandthesmalllot,thepracticesdonotfullymanagethesite’srunoff,butcumulativelythesepracticeshelptoreducetheeffects.

Rainbarrelscapturerainwaterfromroofsandallowforwaterreuseinsteadofthatwaterenteringthestormsewer.TherainbarrelsattheR&RBuildingthatconnecttotheroofdownspoutsquicklyfillup,soasecondbarrelisusedtocaptureoverflowfromthefirst.

Onthesouthsideofthebuilding,downspoutdisconnectionswereengineeredtoallowforatwo-wayflowcontrolledbyalever.Oneoftheseflowsleadsintotheraingardentoprovideirrigation.Theotherflowconnectstothesewersystem;thisisopenedinwinter,whentheraingardencannotsupportinfiltrationduetofreezingtemperatures.

Theraingardenconsistsofawidevarietyofdrought-resistant,nativeplants,butcanalsotoleratetheroofrunoffduringrainstorms.Installationrequiredexcavationandadditionofpreparedsoilstoensureadequateinfiltration.ThisreducestheamountofrunoffenteringdirectlyintothestormsewerandintotheSt.JonesRiverbyinfiltratingtherunoffandreturningittogroundwater.Thegardenprovidesareceivingareaforroofrunoff,andalsoprovidespollinatorhabitatandanaestheticadditiontothebuildinglandscape.

Aslowdripirrigationlinewasinstalledatthebottomofthesecondrainbarrelsothatthecapturedrainwatercanbeusedforlandscapewateringinthebuilding’scourtyard.

Oneoftheseflowsleadsintotheraingardentoprovideirrigation.Theotherflowconnectstothesewersystemandisopenedinwinter.

PHOTOS:MichaelSkivers,WesleyCollege


Afterexcavationandadditionofcompostandmulch,theraingardenwasplantedinApril2012.ThedownspoutdisconnectionsonthesideoftheR&RBuildingproviderunofftotheraingarden.

Theraingardeniswellestablished3yearsafterplanting.Nativeplantsprovidehabitatforpollinatorspecies.

PHOTOS:SaraEsposito,DNREC(top);MichaelSkivers,WesleyCollege(bottom)


Case Study: Green Infrastructure in the Coastal SettingBlackbird Creek National Estuarine Reserve (New Castle County)BlackbirdCreekisatidalstreamthatflowsthroughBlackbirdCreekNationalEstuarineReserveintoDelawareBay.Asthetiderisesandfalls,andduringstorms,theshorelineissubjecttoerosion.The

lossofsedimentaffectsvegetationandbeginscuttingtheshorelineinland.Erosionalsocontributestowaterqualityproblemsbyaddingsedimenttothetidalwaters.AtBlackbirdCreekReserve,erosionisdegradingtheshorelineoneithersideofaboatrampthatprovideswateraccessforrecreationalcanoeandkayakuse.

TopreventfurtherlossofsedimentonthissectionofBlackbirdCreek,livingshorelineswereinstalledinMay2015.Thisprojectutilizedatechnique

forrebuildingashorelinethatbeginswithplacementofcoirlogsmadeofcoconutfibers.Thelogsofcoconuthusksactasafilter,trappingsedimentthatwouldotherwisewashdownstream.Oncethetidehasreachedthemaximumpeak,thesedimentthathasflowedoverthelogsistrappedwithintheshoreline,replenishingthesedimentthathaseroded.

Overtime,thelivingshorelinewillcontinuelayeringthesedimentfromthehightideontothetopsoil.Thedesignofthislivingshorelinegivesajumpstartbyfillinginthezoneoferosionwithsand,thencoveringwithtopsoil.Inthisproject,nativegrassesandshrubswereplantedsoonafterthecoirlogsandsandwereinstalled.Cordgrasswasplanteddirectlyintothelogstohelpdissipatethewaveenergyandstabilizetheshorelineoncethecoirlogsbiodegrade.Otherplantswereplacedbehindthecoirlogswherethebackfillwasadded.Theplantshelptrapsedimentwitheachhightide,buildingthelivingshorelinehabitatovertime.

Thesephotosshowthetwoinstallationsoneithersideofthekayaklaunch.Top:Existingvegetationwasenhancedwithadditionalplanting.Bottom:Sandwasaddedpriortoplanting.

PHOTOS:MarkBiddle,DNREC(top);MichaelSkivers,WesleyCollege(bottom)


Case Study: Green Infrastructure in a Rural SettingCow Bridge Branch Riparian Buffer – Georgetown (Sussex County)Locatedintheforestofthestate-runStockleyCenternearGeorgetownisCowBridgeBranch,oneoftheInlandBays’mostpristinetributariesintheIndianRiverwatershed.ThisrestorationprojectaddressederosionandrunoffproblemsinastreamchannelthatflowsthroughtheStockleyCenterproperty.TohelpprotectwaterqualityinCowBridgeBranch,theDelawareCenterfortheInlandBayscompletedaprojectin2014toenhancethestreamchannelalongpartofanunnamed,degradedtributary.Thestreamchannelisanintermittentstreamwhichflowsduringthewinterandspringandduringperiodsofheavyrainfall.

NaturalbuffersofvegetationalongtheshorelinesofwaterwaysareanimportantdefenseinprotectingandimprovingwaterqualityintheInlandBays.Torestorethechannel,5,000nativeplantsincludingtrees,grasses,shrubs,andwildflowers,wereplantedtocreateabufferalongthechannelbankstoslowandfilterrunoffbeforeitenteredthestream.Approximately900feetofstreamchannelandtwoacresofriparianbufferwererestored.

TheDelawareCenterforInlandBaysengagedthesupportofmanyvolunteersandpartners,includingDNREC,DucksUnlimited,WesleyCollege,USDANaturalResourcesConservationService,SussexCountyConservationDistrict,andSussexLandscaping.FundingfortheprojectcamefromDNREC’sCommunityWaterQualityGrantProgramandtheUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.

Top:SussexCentralHighSchoolstudentscollectdataintherestorationarea.Bottom:Priortothestartoftheproject,theareahadbeenmowedduringdryperiodsandwasalmostentirelycomprisedofturfgrasswhichwasineffectiveatslowingdownandfilteringstorm-waterthatenteredthechannel.

PHOTOS:DelawareCenterforInlandBays


Green Infrastructure at the Landscape Scale IntroductionGreeninfrastructurefunctionsatdifferentscales.Atthesitescale,greeninfrastructuremimicstheprocessesthatoccurinlarger,naturalsystems.Theseprocessesincludefilteringsurfacerunoff,slowingandstoringstorm-andfloodwaters,providingwildlifehabitat,andstoringcarbon.However,greeninfrastructureisnotlimitedtoengineeredorhuman-builtconstructions.Atthelandscapescale,greeninfrastructurecanbedescribedasa“networkofnaturalresourcelands,particularlyforestlands,wetlands,grasslandsandotherplantcommunitiesthatperformvaluableserviceswhichbenefitpeople,wildlifeandtheenvironment.”8Protectingandmanagingexistinggreeninfrastructureisthefirstandmostimportantsteptoensuringthatnaturalhabitatcanprovideawiderangeofbenefits.

Thebasicconceptbehindgreeninfrastructureatthelandscapescaleistolinklargeecologicallysignificantnaturalareaswithnaturalcorridorsthatprotectwaterquality,providehabitatforresidentandmigratoryspecies,andincreasetheresilienceofthelandscapetostormsandflooding.Greeninfrastructureatthelandscapescalecanalsobufferhomes,businesses,buildings,androadsfromtheimpactsofextremeweatherandlong-termclimatechange.

Theinterconnectednatureofgreeninfrastructureatthelandscapelevelallowsthesenaturalecosystemstofunctionatahigherlevel.Whenareasofnaturalhabitatarefragmented,insmallorisolatedpieces,theymaystillprovidesomebenefitsasgreeninfrastructure,butretainingconnectivitycanhelptooffsetthefunctionallossescausedbyfragmentation.

Benefits of Green Infrastructure at the Landscape ScaleGreeninfrastructureatthelandscapescaleprovidesawidearrayofenvironmental,social,andeconomicbenefits.Itcanhelpreducethevolumeandvelocityofstormwaterflowanddecreasetheimpactoffloodingduringstormevents;preventorreducenutrientandsedimentpollutionfromreachingwaterways;protectgroundwaterqualityandsupportgroundwaterrecharge;supportdiverseplantandanimalpopulations;andimproveairquality.Forexample,saltwatermarshes,whichcoverDelaware’scoastfromtheuppermarginsofDelawareBaysouthtotheInlandBays,havewelldevelopedrootsystemsthatholdmarshvegetationinplace,filterpollutants,absorbandstorewater,andprovideforcoastaldefenseagainststrongwaveactionandstormsurges.

Greeninfrastructureatthelandscapescalealsogenerateseconomicbenefitsthroughfarming,forestry,fishing,nature-basedtourism,andrecreationandcontributestothehealthandqualityoflifeforcommunitiesandpeople.Inadditiontoeconomicandpublichealthbenefits,greeninfrastructurecanhelpdevelopastrongsenseofplaceandprovideeducationalandresearchopportunities.

8 Burke,D.G.,andJ.E.Dunn(eds).2010.A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation. TheConservationFund,Arlington,VA.


Management of Green Infrastructure at the Landscape ScaleEnsuringhighqualitygreeninfrastructureatthelandscapescalerequiressomeeffort.Justasmaintenanceisnecessaryforsitescalepractices,managementofnaturallandscapessupportstheirhealthyfunction.Theguidingprinciplesofgreeninfrastructuremanagementatthelandscapescaleare:

• Protectexistinghabitatfromdevelopment,degradation,orfragmentation.• Enhancenaturallandsthathavebeendegradedordamaged.• Restorenaturalareastoimprovetheirecologicalfunctionandconnectexisting

naturalhabitat.• Monitornaturallandstoensurethatmanagementneedsareaddressed.

Optionsforprotectingnaturallandsfromdevelopmentordamagecanincludepurchaseoflandoreasementbyaconservationentity(governmentornongovernment),orlanduserestrictionssuchaslocalordinancesandzoningmeasures.

Enhancementofgreeninfrastructureinvolvesusingconservationpracticestomaintainhealthysoil;promoteinfiltrationandprotectionofsurfaceandgroundwater;avoiddevelopmentinfloodplainsandotherflood-proneareas;andprovidebuffersbetweennaturalhabitatandbuiltstructures.Restorationandenhancementatthelandscapescaleincludeson-the-groundactionsthatimprovethefunctionandresilienceofthoseecosystems.Forexample,controllinginvasivespeciesisanimportantmaintenancetaskforgreeninfrastructureatallscales.Physicalchanges,suchasremovalorredesignofwatermanagementstructures,mayalsobeneededtomaintainecosystemhealth.

Monitoringisanimportantcomponenttomanaginggreeninfrastructure,tohelpidentifylong-termtrendsortrackchangesinthelandscapeovertime.Thiscanincluderegularsiteinspectionsaswellasscientificdatacollectionandanalysis.

Green Infrastructure in DelawareAsizeableportionofDelaware’slandareaiscoveredwithnaturalhabitat,includingforests,wetlandsandaquaticsystems,shoreline,andfloodplains.Thesenaturallandsrepresentvaluablegreeninfrastructureatthelandscapescale.Muchofthishabitatisprotectedinstateforests,parks,wildlifeareas,andbeaches:

• Morethan75percentofDelaware’sshorelineandcoastlinealongtheAtlanticOceanandDelawareBayandRiverisinprotectedconservationownership.

• DNRECprotectsandmaintainsmorethan90,000acresinstateparks,wildlifeareas,researchreserves,andgreenways.

• TheDelawareForestServicemanagesmorethan19,000acresofforestland.• Approximately26,000acresofwetlandsanduplandhabitatinDelawareare

federallyprotectedbytheUSFishandWildlifeService.

Inadditiontostate-managedlands,nonprofitorganizations,suchastheDelawareNatureSociety,DelawareWildLands,andTheNatureConservancy,areamongtheleadingstakeholdersinthe


preservationofDelaware’snaturallandscapes.Naturallandsinprivateownershipalsocontributetogreeninfrastructureatthelandscapescale.Privatelyownedforestsandwetlandsmanagedinwaysthatprotecttheirecologicalfunctionoffermanyoftheenvironmentalandeconomicbenefitsdescribedaboveandareanimportantcomponentofthestate’sgreeninfrastructure.

ForestsForestsincludetheforestfloor(soil,organicmatter,andsmallplantssuchasgrassesandwildflowers),theunderstoryorshrublayer(smalltreesorbushes),andthecanopy(theleavesandbranchesofthetreesthatdominatetheforest).Forestscoverapproximately30percentofDelaware’slandareawithadiversevarietyofforestcommunitytypes.

TheForestServiceofDelawaremanagesthreestateforests:BlackbirdForestnearSmyrna,TaberForestnearHarrington,andReddenForestnearGeorgetown.Forestpreservesarealsoownedandmanagedbynot-for-profitorganizations,suchastheFlintWoodsPreserve,managedbytheDelawareNatureSociety,andthePembertonForestPreserve,managedbyTheNatureConservancy.

Delaware’sforestedlandshavedeclinedgreatlysinceEuropeansettlementinthe17thcentury.Precolonialforestscoveredanestimated1.1millionacres—roughly90percentofthestate’slandarea.Today,approximately371,000acresofthestateisinforesthabitat.Althoughthestate’stotalforestacreagehasremainedrelativelystableinthepastthreedecades,forestassessmentsindicatethattheaverageforesttractsizeisdecliningandforesthabitatisbecomingmorefragmented,largelyasaresultofresidentialandcommercialdevelopment.TheDelawareForestServiceestimatesthatonly20percentofallforestparcelsare500acresorlarger.Protectingandmanagingthestate’sremainingforestresourcesisessentialtogreeninfrastructureatthelandscapescale.

PiedmontOakForest(WilliamA.McAvoy) SuccessionalMaritimeForest(WilliamA.McAvoy)


Benefits

Aslandscapescalegreeninfrastructure,forestsprovidemanybenefits.

Forestssupportwatersupplyandwaterqualityby:• Filteringsurfacerunoff,thuspreventingorreducing

nutrientandsedimentpollutionfromreachingwaterways

• Slowingwaterflow,allowinggreateropportunityforplantsandmicrobestotakeupnutrients

• Protectinggroundwaterqualityandsupportinggroundwaterrechargeareas

Forestsalsoprovidefloodandstormwatermanagementbenefitsby:• Reducingtheimpactofheavyrainfallthroughthemultilayeredleafcanopy• Absorbingmorewaterduringstormeventsthroughrootsystemsandforestsoils

Otherbenefitsofforestsystemsinclude:• Storingcarboninleaves,branches,androots,reducingtheamountofcarbon

dioxideintheatmosphere• Shadinglandandwatersurfaces,moderatingairtemperatures,andprotecting

aquatichabitats• Providinghabitatcoverandcorridorsusedbywildlife

Latesuccessionalforest(WilliamA.McAvoy) Forestedwetland(WilliamA.McAvoy)

Plantingtreestoenhanceforesthabitat

PHOTO:JamesWhite,DelawareNatureSociety


Management

Delaware’sforestlandsaremanagedforavarietyofobjectivesincludingtimberproduction,wildlifehabitatenhancement,forestmanagementdemonstration,andrecreationalopportunities.Propermanagementofforestsdependsonthecondition,age,anddiversityoftheforestecosystem,andonthemanagementobjectives.Thesegeneralmanagementguidelines9areaimedathelpingtomaintainhealthyforestsandwoodlandswhileconsideringchangingclimateconditions:

• Manageforahealthydensityandstructureoftrees,withadiversityofspecies.Timberstandimprovement,thinning,harvesting,andplantingallprovideopportunitiestocreatediversity.

• Considermanagingselectedforestsforold-growthcharacteristics—includingdeadstandingtreesorsnags,largewoodydebrisonforestfloor,andlightgapsinforestcanopy—topreservebiodiversityandprovidehabitatforsongbirdsandwildlifespecies.

• Buildconnectivitybycreatinghabitatcorridorsthatallowwildlifetomigratemoreeasily,whichencouragesgreaterdiversity.

• Controlinvasivespecies,includinginvasiveweeds,vines,andinsects.• Considerflooding,stormsurges,andsealevelrisewhenmanagingforestsnear

thecoastoralongrivers.Planforspecieswithhigherfloodingandsalttoleranceinflood-pronetidalandnontidalareas.

• Forlong-termmanagementplanning,considerspeciesthatwillberesilienttochangingclimateconditions,includinghighertemperaturesandlongergrowingseasons.

• Monitorforestconditioninallseasons;healthytreesarebetterabletoresistpestsandsurviveextremeweatherevents.

WetlandsWetlandsarenaturaltransitionareasbetweenaquaticanduplandhabitatsthatserveasgreeninfrastructureatthelandscapescale.Primarilylowandmarshy,wetlandsmaybesaturated,submerged,orappeardrypartoftheyear,withsoilsthatsupportuniqueplantandanimallife.Wetlandscanbefoundinfreshorsaltwater,andvarywidelyinvegetationtype,geographiclocation,andconnectivitytootherwetlandsandotherlandforms.

AnumberofwetlandtypesarefoundinDelaware,whichincludeseasonalfreshwaterwetlandssuchasfreshwatertidalmarshes,swampforests,floodplainhardwoodswamps,wetmeadows,andcoastalplainponds.Saltandbrackishmarshtypesincludesaltmarshes,scrub-shrubwetlands,Atlanticwhitecedarswamps,andbaldcypressswamps.

Delawarehasapproximately320,000acresofwetlands,aboutone-thirdofwhicharetidalwetlands.SinceEuropeansettlement,thestatehaslostabout54percentofitshistoricwetlands.Thissignificantlossofwetlandsunderscorestheimportanceofprotectingtheremainingwetlandhabitats,andenhancingandrestoringwetlandswherepossible.

9 USDepartmentofAgriculture(2013).HelpingYourWoodlandAdapttoClimateChange.http://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/jrnl/2013/nrs_2013_saxby_001.pdf

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/jrnl/2013/nrs_2013_saxby_001.pdf


Theconditionofwetlandhabitathasadirecteffectonitsbenefitasgreeninfrastructure.ArecentassessmentofDelaware’swetlandsfrom1992to2007concludedthatbetween40and65percentofthestate’swetlandsprovidedhighormoderatelevelsofecosystemfunctions.Thesefunctionsor“ecosystemservices”includefloodretention,erosioncontrol,andcarbonstorage.Enhancementofwetlandhabitat,aswellasprotectionfromfurtherhabitatlosses,isimportantformaintainingandimprovingthefunctionalperformanceofwetlands.

BenefitsWetlandsprotectandenhancewaterqualityandwatersupplyby:

• Recharginggroundwaterandreplenishinglocalaquifers• Filteringexcessnutrientsandcontaminantsfromsurfacerunoff

Wetlandsprovidefloodandstormwatermanagementbenefitsby:• Absorbingfloodwatersandbufferingstormsurges• Dampeningwaveactionandreducingerosion

Otherbenefitsofwetlands:• Capturingcarbondioxidefromtheatmosphereandstoringitinplanttissuesandsoil• Providinghabitatforshorebirds,waterfowl,andothervaluablewildlifeand

plantspecies

Freshwaterwetland:Peatlandfen(WilliamA.McAvoy) Riverinewetland(DNREC-WMAP)


ManagementProtectingandconservingwetlandsinvolvesslowingthelossofwetlandacreageandfunction,improvingthehealthofremainingwetlands,andmonitoringenvironmentalconditions.Consideringthat80percentofDelawarewetlandsareprivatelyownedthereisasignificantopportunityandneedforlandownerstoconservewetlandsonthepropertyorenrollinpreservationprograms.Theuseofsoundmanagementpracticesandrestorationtechniquesfollowedbyregularmonitoringservestoincreasehealthywetlandsacrossthestate.Specificmanagementactionsshouldbeguidedbythetypeofwetland,physicalconditions(suchassoils,surfacewater,andgroundwater),andlanduses.Generalmanagementguidelines10forwetlandsfocuslargelyonprotectionstrategies:

• Preventfillingofwetlandsbysand,gravel,solidwastes,orstructures.• Protectwetlandwatersupplybycontrollingpumpingofstreamsandgroundwater.• Protectwetlandsoilsfromdredging,removaloftopsoil,orcompactionfromuseof

heavyequipmentandvehicles.• Maintainnaturalcirculationofwetlandwatersbyavoidingtheuseofdikes,dams,

andditches.• Preventdegradationofwetlandvegetationbycontrollinginvasiveplantsor

encroachmentofnonnativespecies.

10 DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControl(2013).Land Use Decision Making and Wetland Protection: A Guidebook for Public Participation.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Documents/Delaware%20Wetlands%20Public%20Participation%20Guidebook%20Final.pdf

Tidalwetland:MilfordNeckWildlifeArea(DNREC) Tidalmarsh(DNREC-WMAP)

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Documents/Delaware%20Wetlands%20Public%20Participation%20Guidebook%20Final.pdf




Shorelines and FloodplainsTheterm“shoreline”includestheoceancoastline,bayshorelines,andthetidalportionofriversandcreeks.Itismadeupofwetlands,uplandandriparianlands,nearshorewaters,andinsomecasesbeachesanddunes.Floodplainsarelow-lyinglandsadjacenttorivers,streams,ponds,lakes,andoceans.Bothshorelinesandfloodplainsperformmanyecologicalfunctions,suchasimprovingwaterquality,supportingwildlifehabitat,protectinguplandsfromerosion,andprovidingabufferfromtheimpactsofstormsandflooding.Flooding,whichoccursnaturallyinriverandcoastalareas,causesthedepositofsedimentsthatcontributetoafertileenvironmentforvegetation.

Floodplainsprovidestorageandconveyanceofwaterduringhightides,stormsurge,andheavyrainfall.Floodplainsarealsoimportantasrechargeareasforgroundwater,andcreateasafetyzonebetweenpeopleandthedamagingwatersofaflood.Itisimportanttokeepfloodplainsintheirnaturalconditionasmuchaspossible,avoidingtheadditionofpavementorstructuresthatwouldreducethecapacitytofilterandstorewater.Whenfloodingoccurs,waterbodiesreceiveagreatervolumeofwaterthantheycanhandleatonetime.Floodingisanaturalpartofthewatercycleandcanevenbebeneficial,asdiscussedabove.However,bybuildingonfloodplainsanddrainingwetlands,thelikelihoodoffloodingandtheextentofdamagedonebyfloodwaters,suchaserosion,lossofproperty,lossoffrontage,lossofhabitat,andlossoflife,increase.

Oneofthebestpracticesforprotectingthegreeninfrastructurefunctionsoffloodplainsistheuseoffloodplainmanagementstandards.Floodplainstandardsareadoptedbymostmunicipalandcountygovernmentstoensurethesafetyofpeople,property,andinfrastructureinflood-proneareas.Flooddamageissignificantlyreducedwhenstructuresarelocatedoutsideoffloodplainsorelevatedabovepredictedfloodlevels.Enforcementoffloodplainstandardslowersthecostoffloodinsuranceandreducesdamagesandexpensivedrainagesolutions.Recommendedfloodplainstandards11inDelawareinclude:

• Conductingorupdatingfloodstudiesindesignatedfloodplains.• Requiring12ormoreinchesof“freeboard”12toanystructureinthefloodplain.• Prohibitingsubdivisionornew,non-water-dependentdevelopmentinthefloodplain.• Usingbasefloodelevationinallbuildingpermitting.

11 DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControl(2013).Delaware Floodplain and Drainage Standards and Recommendations. http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Shoreline/Documents/Floodplain%20and%20Drainage%20Code%20WG/FDAC%20Report%20Rev%20032613.pdf

12 Freeboardmeanselevatingthelowestfloor,includingbasementandallequipmentandmachinery,acertainnumberofinchesabovethepredictedfloodelevations(knownas“basefloodelevation”).

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Shoreline/Documents/Floodplain%20and%20Drainage%20Code%20WG/FDAC%20Report%20Rev%20032613.pdf



Next StepsThisPrimeroffersanintroductiontounderstandingwhatgreeninfrastructureisandhowitcanbebeneficial—atboththesitescaleandthelandscapescale.

Considerhowgreeninfrastructuremightfitintoyoursite,projectarea,community,orregion.Takethenextstepbyaskingsomebasicquestions:

• Whatisthescaleofmysite/areaofinterest?Issitescaleorlandscapescalegreeninfrastructuretherightfit?

• Whatarethecurrentusesontheproperty?Onadjacentproperty?Whatexistingstructuresorinfrastructureshouldbeconsidered?

• Whataremylong-termgoals?Protectexistingstructures?Maintainaccesstorecreationalresourcesorwaterway?Restoreandenhancenaturalecosystemsthatprovideresiliencytoclimatechange?

• Whatgreeninfrastructurebenefitsareofgreatestvalueformysite?Erosioncontrol?Floodretention?Stormwatermanagement?Habitatvalue?

• Whatarethecoststodevelopandmaintainthegreeninfrastructurepractice?• WhatpermitsorapprovalsdoIneed?• WhocanIcontactformoreinformation?Localplanningagency?Stateresources

agency?Technicalguidanceresources?

Tofurtheryourunderstandingandlearnhowgreeninfrastructurecanbeincorporatedorenhancedinyourarea,theResourcessectionoffersarangeofinformationsources.Thisincludesinformationonwhomtocontactforregulatoryassistance,planningandtechnicalassistance,permittinginformation,andfundingresources.Alsoincludedisalistofselecteddocumentsthatprovidetechnicalguidanceforplanningandsitescalepractices.Finally,severalmappingresourcesarelisted.


Green Infrastructure Primer for Delaware: Resources

Regulatory Assistance

Stormwater RequirementsDNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program (302) 739-9921

DNRECSedimentandStormwaterProgramisresponsibleforallaspectsofadministrationofthestatesedimentandstormwatermanagementprogramundertheDelawareSedimentandStormwaterLawandRegulations,issuanceofNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)ConstructionGeneralPermit,andplanreview,constructioninspection,andmaintenanceinspectionofStateandFederalprojects.

ThefollowingagencieshavedelegationofSedimentandStormwaterProgramelementsconsistingofplanreview,constructioninspection,andmaintenanceinspectionfortheirgeographicboundaries:

Delaware Department of Transportation (302)760-2251800BayRoadP.O.Box778Dover,DE19903http://deldot.gov/information/business/drc/stormwater.shtml

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

New Castle County Department of Land Use (302) 395-5400 87ReadsWay,CorporateCommonsNewCastleDE19720http://www.nccde.org/174/Land-UseDelegated Area:AllunincorporatedareasofNewCastleCounty

New Castle Conservation District (302) 832-3100, Ext. 3 2430OldCountyRoadNewarkDE19702http://newcastleconservationdistrict.org/Delegated Area:AllincorporatedareasofNewCastleCounty(exceptCityofNewark,CityofWilmington,andTownofMiddletown).

City of Newark (302) 366-7040 or (302) 366-7045 PublicWorks&WaterResourcesDepartment220S.MainStreetNewarkDE19711http://www.cityofnewarkde.us/index.aspx?NID=237Delegated Area:CityofNewark

Town of Middletown (302) 378-9120 19WestGreenStreetMiddletownDE19709http://www.middletownde.org/Delegated Area:TownofMiddletown

City of Wilmington (302) 576-3060 DepartmentofPublicWorks800NorthFrenchStreetWilmington,DE19801http://www.ci.wilmington.de.us/government/publicworksDelegated Area:CityofWilmington

http://deldot.gov/information/business/drc/stormwater.shtml

http://deldot.gov/information/business/drc/stormwater.shtml

http://www.nccde.org/174/Land-Use

http://newcastleconservationdistrict.org/

http://newcastleconservationdistrict.org/

http://www.cityofnewarkde.us/index.aspx?NID=237



http://www.middletownde.org/

http://www.middletownde.org/

http://www.ci.wilmington.de.us/government/publicworks





KENT COUNTY

Kent Conservation District (302) 741-2600 (Ext. 3) 800BayRoad,Suite2Dover,DE19901http://kentcd.org/Delegated Area:KentCounty

SUSSEX COUNTY

Sussex Conservation District (302) 856-7219 23818ShortlyRoadGeorgetownDE19947http://www.sussexconservation.org/programs/sediment-and-stormwaterDelegated Area:SussexCounty

Permitting Information

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Regulatory Advisory Service (302) 739-9909 TheRegulatoryAdvisoryService(RAS)providesanopportunityfordevelopersorbusinessownersseekingtorelocateorexpandwithinthestatetoconsultwithDNRECagenciesaboutenvironmentalpermittinganddesignconsiderations.TheRASprovidesaone-stopshopforinformationaboutnecessarypermitsandregulationsbutcanalsohelpindividualsunderstandandmitigatepotentialfuturefloodriskataparticularsite.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/SBA/Pages/RegulatoryAdvisoryService.aspx

Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section (302) 739-9939 TheWetlandsandSubaqueousLandsSectionprovidespermittingservicesforactivitiesinDelaware’swetlands,bays,rivers,streams,lakes,ponds,andotherwaterwaysthatmightrequireapermitpursuanttoDelawarelaw.Theseactivitiesincludemarinaconstructionandoperation,aswellastheconstructionofdocksandpiers,shorelinestabilizationprojects,dredging,filling,bridgeorculvertconstruction,utilitycrossingsofstreams,andmyriadotherprojectsthatcouldaffectDelaware’swatersandwetlands.

Permitsarerequiredforactivitiesintidalwetlandsaswellastidalandnontidalwaters.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/wr/Services/Pages/WetlandsAndSubaqueousLands.aspx

AuthorizationundertheStatewideActivityApproval(SAA)forShorelineStabilizationProjectsisavailableforlivingshorelinesinDelaware.Forprojectsunder500linearfeetusingnativemarshvegetation,thisexpeditedpermittingprocesscostshalftheregularpriceandisissuedsoonerthanstandardpermits.Afederalpermitisalsorequired,meetingtherequirementstobepermittedusingArmyCorpsNationwidePermitNo.27for“AquaticHabitatRestoration.”http://de.gov/wetlandpermits

http://kentcd.org/

http://kentcd.org/

http://www.sussexconservation.org/sed_sw.htm

http://www.sussexconservation.org/sed_sw.htm

http://www.sussexconservation.org/programs/sediment-and-stormwater

http://www.sussexconservation.org/programs/sediment-and-stormwater

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/SBA/Pages/RegulatoryAdvisoryService.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/SBA/Pages/RegulatoryAdvisoryService.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/wr/Services/Pages/WetlandsAndSubaqueousLands.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/wr/Services/Pages/WetlandsAndSubaqueousLands.aspx

http://de.gov/wetlandpermits


Planning and Technical Assistance

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Flood Mitigation Program (302) 739-9921 DNREC’sFloodMitigationProgramprovidesflood-relatedassistancetoindividualsandcommunitiestoreducethestate’svulnerabilitytoflooddamages.Specifically,theprogramhelpscommunitiescomplywithfloodplainstandardsandfloodinsurancerequirements.Italsoassistsindividualsandcommunitiesinobtainingfundingforprojectsthatreducevulnerabilitytoflooding.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/drainage/pages/flooding.aspx

Shoreline and Waterway Management Section (302) 739-9921 DNREC’sShorelineandWaterwayManagementSectionregulatescoastalconstructionandimplementsbeachanddunemanagementpractices.Theirmissionistoprotectandenhancethestate’sbeachesforrecreationaluseandtoimproveresiliencetostormeventsanderosion.Thesectionhasavarietyofresourcesandpublicationstoassistcommunitiesandindividualsinunderstandingandadaptingtocoastalhazards,includingsealevelrise.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Shoreline/Pages/Shoreline.aspx

Private Lands Assistance Program (302) 284-4795 TheDNRECPrivateLandsAssistanceProgramassistsprivatelandownersinimprovingandprotectingtheirlandsforwildlife.Theprogram’sbiologistsarededicatedtoinforminglandownersaboutavailableprograms,providingtechnicalassistancefordevelopinghabitatprojects,andsecuringfinancialassistanceasincentivesforparticipation.Landownersfacedwithinundationissuesontheirpropertywhowishtochooseanaturaladaptationmethodareencouragedto

consultwithprogramscientistsforideasandfunding.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/dplap/Pages/default.aspx

Delaware Coastal Programs (302) 739-9283 TheDNRECDelawareCoastalProgramsofficeprovidestechnicalassistance,guidance,data,training,andgrantsforawiderangeofcoastalissues,includingplanningandadaptingtosealevelrise.Technicalassistanceisavailabletocommunities,nongovernmentalorganizations,governmentagencies,anduniversities,andspecifictrainingfortheseaudiencesisannouncedperiodically.Communitiesandagenciesseekingtobeginaplanningprocessforsealevelriseandcoastalvulnerabilityortodevelopspecificadaptationsolutionstoexistingfloodingissuesareencouragedtocontacttheprogramforassistance.www.dnrec.delaware.gov/coastal

Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program (302) 739-9939 TheWetlandMonitoringandAssessmentProgram’s(WMAP)goalistoassessthehealthofwetlandsandthefunctionsandecosystembenefitsthattheyprovide.ThisinformationisusedtoinformthecitizensofDelawareandtoimproveuponexistingeducation,restoration,protection,andlanduseplanningefforts.http://de.gov/delawarewetlands

Species Conservation & Research Program (302) 735-8658 TheSCRPisthestate’smostcomprehensive,centralizedsourceofinformationonrareplants,animals,andvegetationcommunities.Thisinformationisusedbyresearchscientists,conservationorganizations,consultingfirmsandagenciestoplanfortheconservationofhabitatforrarespeciesandvegetationcommunities.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/NHESP/services/Pages/EnvReviewRequests.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/drainage/pages/flooding.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/drainage/pages/flooding.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Shoreline/Pages/Shoreline.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Shoreline/Pages/Shoreline.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/dplap/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/dplap/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/coastal

http://de.gov/delawarewetlands

http://de.gov/delawarewetlands

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/NHESP/services/Pages/EnvReviewRequests.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/NHESP/services/Pages/EnvReviewRequests.aspx


Delaware Department of AgricultureDelaware Forest Service (302) 698-4500 TheDelawareForestServiceprovidesawiderangeofservicestohelpDelawareansmanageandimprovetheirforestresources.Theseservicesaredividedintothreecategories:conservation,protection,andeducation.http://dda.delaware.gov/forestry/

University of DelawareDelaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service (302) 645-4235 TheDelawareSeaGrantMarineAdvisoryServiceisaresourceprovidedbytheUniversityofDelawarethatadvocatesforthewiseuse,conservation,anddevelopmentofmarineresources.Informationandplanningassistanceisavailabletoaddressfloodingandsealevelrise,aswellasothercoastalissues,includingwaterquality,resourcemanagement,andsustainablecommunities.TheMarineAdvisoryServicetransfersscience-basedinformationandexpertiseoftheuniversity’sresearcherstolocalcitizens,resourcemanagers,andbusinessownersinavarietyofways,suchasworkshops,publications,trainings,andconsultations.http://www.deseagrant.org/outreach

Delaware Cooperative Extension (302) 831-2501 CooperativeExtensionsupportsDelaware’sagriculturalsectorthrougheducation,research,andoutreach.Resourcesareavailableforagricultureandnaturalresources,lawnandgarden,4-Hyouthdevelopment,andfamilyandconsumersciences.http://extension.udel.edu/

Funding Resources

Financing ApproachesGreeninfrastructureprojectscanbefundedthroughavarietyoffinancingapproaches,including:

• Taxesandgeneralfunds• Fees• Stormwaterutilities• CreditsandIncentive

programs• Bonds• Grants• Loans• Public-privatepartnerships

Thesefundingoptionsaredescribed,withexamples,inarecentEPAreport:

USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.2014.GettingtoGreen:PayingforGreenInfrastructureFinancingOptionsandResourcesforLocalDecision-Makers.http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-02/documents/gi_financing_options_12-2014_4.pdf

Delaware Funding Resources – Grants and Loans

DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL (DNREC)

Green Project Reserve (302) 739-9941 – contact Terry Deputy TheDNRECEnvironmentalFinanceoffersbelow-marketrateloansforstate,county,andmunicipalagenciestoassistwiththeplanningandconstructionofgreeninfrastructure,waterefficiency,andenvironmentallyinnovativeprojects.Awiderangeofadaptationstrategiescouldbefundedthroughthisprogram.Tobeeligible,projectsmustfirstbeplacedontheProject

http://dda.delaware.gov/forestry/

http://www.deseagrant.org/outreach

http://www.deseagrant.org/outreach

http://extension.udel.edu/

http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-02/documents/gi_financing_options_12-2014_4.pdf




PriorityList;developmentofthelistbeginsinJanuaryeachyear.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fab/Pages/Green-Project-Reserve.aspx.

Surface Water Matching Planning Grants (302) 739-9921 – contact Jim Sullivan TheDNRECEnvironmentalFinanceprovidescompetitivegrantsofupto$50,000annuallyforplanningandengineeringdesignofprojectsthatseektoimprovesurfacewaterqualitywithinthestate.Adaptationprojectsthathaveawaterqualitycomponent,includingstormwaterretrofits,wetlandrestoration,drainageplans,andgreeninfrastructure,wouldqualifyforfundingthroughthisprogram.Fundingisavailabletostate,county,andmunicipalagencies.A1:1cashmatchisrequiredforthegrant.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fab/Pages/Surface-Water-Matching-Planning-Grants.aspx.

Wastewater Matching Planning Grants (302) 739-9941 – contact Greg Pope TheDNRECEnvironmentalFinanceprovidescompetitivegrantsofupto$50,000annuallytomunicipalandcountywastewaterutilitiesforwastewaterplanningprojects.Projectsthatproposetomodifyfacilitiestoadapttosealevelrisewouldqualifyforfundingunderthisprogram.A1:1cashmatchisrequiredforthegrant.http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fab/Pages/Wastewater-Matching-Planning-Grants.aspx.

DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DDA)http://dda.delaware.gov/forestry/conser.shtml

Urban and Community Forestry (302) 698-4500 TheDelawareForestServiceadministersanUrbanandCommunityForestrygrantprogramthatprovidesfundingtocities,towns,communities,developers,andlocalgovernments.Grantfundingcanbeutilizedforurbantree

plantingand/ortreemanagement.Thisprogramisofferedannuallyandgenerallyallocatesapproximately$40,000-$80,000infunding.

Forest Land Enhancement Program (302) 698-4500 TheDelawareForestService’sStewardshipProgramoffersforestlandownerscostsharefundingtohelpwithreforestation,afforestation,agroforestryimplementation,waterqualityprotectionandotherspecialpracticesrelatedtoforestry.Propertyownersmusthavelessthan1,000acresandatleast5acresofnon-industrialforestland.

DELAWARE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (DEMA)

Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (302) 659-2213 TheFederalEmergencyManagementAgencyofferscompetitivegrantsforprojectsseekingtoreducerisktopeopleandstructuresfromhazardevents,includingstormsandinundation.Thesegrantsareavailabletostates,territories,tribalgovernments,localcommunities,anduniversities.TheapplicationperiodisJunethroughDecembereachyear.Inmostcases,applicantsforfundingmustprovidematchingfundsnolessthan25percentofthetotalprojectcost.http://www.fema.gov/pre-disaster-mitigation-grant-program.

SUSSEX CONSERVATION DISTRICT (302) 856-3990 SussexConservationDistrict,incooperationwithDNREC–DivisionofWaterResourcesandDivisionofWatershedStewardshipareprovidingcost-shareassistanceforvegetativeshorelinestabilization.http://www.sussexconservation.org/programs/cost-share-program

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fab/Pages/Green-Project-Reserve.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fab/Pages/Green-Project-Reserve.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fab/Pages/Surface-Water-Matching-Planning-Grants.aspx



http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fab/Pages/Wastewater-Matching-Planning-Grants.aspx

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fab/Pages/Wastewater-Matching-Planning-Grants.aspx

http://dda.delaware.gov/forestry/conser.shtml

http://www.fema.gov/pre-disaster-mitigation-grant-program

http://www.fema.gov/pre-disaster-mitigation-grant-program

http://www.sussexconservation.org/programs/cost-share-program

http://www.sussexconservation.org/programs/cost-share-program


Technical Guidance ReferencesUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.2014.Coastal Stormwater Management through Green Infrastructure: A Handbook for Municipalities. http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/nep/upload/MassBays_Handbook_combined_508-opt.pdf?utm_source=listserv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=product

USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.2014.Enhancing Sustainable Communities with Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Help Communities Better Manage Stormwater While Achieving Other Environmental, Public Health, Social, and Economic Benefits.http://www2.epa.gov/smart-growth/enhancing-sustainable-communities-green-infrastructure

USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.2015.Green Infrastructure Opportunities that Arise During Municipal Operations.http://epa.gov/owow/ocpd/green_infrastructure_roadshow.pdf

DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControl.2013.Post-Construction Stormwater BMP Standards and Specifications. http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/pages/sedimentstormwater.aspx

DelawareSeaGrantandUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.2009.Protecting Water Quality with Smart Growth Strategies and Natural Stormwater Management in Sussex County, Delaware. http://www.deseagrant.org/products/protecting-water-quality-smart-growth-strategies-and-natural-stormwater-management-sussex

DelawareSeaGrant.2014.Natural Hazard and Climate Change Adaptation Tool Kit for Delaware Communities.http://www.deseagrant.org/products/natural-hazard-and-climate-change-adaptation-tool-kit-delaware-communities

NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration.2015.Economics of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Assessing Green Infrastructure Costs and Benefits for Flood Reduction.http://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/publications/gi-cost-benefit

CleanWaterAmericaAlliance.2011.Barriers and Gateways to Green Infrastructure.http://www.uswateralliance.org/pdfs/gireport.pdf

CenterforNeighborhoodTechnology.Rain Ready: Ten Actions for Cities and Towns. http://rainready.org/for-cities-and-towns

CenterforWatershedProtection.On-line library of stormwater and watershed resources. http://www.cwp.org/online-watershed-library/cat_view/63-research

UniversityofMassachusettsExtension.2007.Restoring Old-Growth Characteristics http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/sites/harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/files/publications/pdfs/Damato_umassextension_2007.pdf

UniversityofDelaware.Flora of Delaware.onlinedatabase:http://www.wra.udel.edu/de-flora/Introduction

http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/nep/upload/MassBays_Handbook_combined_508-opt.pdf?utm_source=listserv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=product




http://www2.epa.gov/smart-growth/enhancing-sustainable-communities-green-infrastructure



http://epa.gov/owow/ocpd/green_infrastructure_roadshow.pdf

http://epa.gov/owow/ocpd/green_infrastructure_roadshow.pdf







http://www.deseagrant.org/products/natural-hazard-and-climate-change-adaptation-tool-kit-delaware-communities



http://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/publications/gi-cost-benefit

http://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/publications/gi-cost-benefit

http://www.uswateralliance.org/pdfs/gireport.pdf

http://www.uswateralliance.org/pdfs/gireport.pdf

http://rainready.org/for-cities-and-towns

http://rainready.org/for-cities-and-towns

http://www.cwp.org/online-watershed-library/cat_view/63-research

http://www.cwp.org/online-watershed-library/cat_view/63-research

http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/sites/harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/files/publications/pdfs/Damato_umassextension_2007.pdf




http://www.wra.udel.edu/de-flora/Introduction

http://www.wra.udel.edu/de-flora/Introduction


Resources for Site Scale Practices

Bioretention/raingardens

UniversityofDelaware–CooperativeExtensionFact sheet – Rain Gardens(2009)–8pageshttp://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Rain_Gardens.pdf

Rain Ready: Techniques for Capturing Rainwater http://rainready.org/sites/default/files/factsheets/Factsheet-RainReady-CapturingRainwater_0.pdf

ConnecticutNEMOProgramRain Gardens: A Design Guide for Homeowners http://nemo.uconn.edu/tools/publications.htm

Treetrenchesandtreeboxes

DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControlPost-Construction Stormwater BMP Standards and Specifications http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/pages/sedimentstormwater.aspx

NewJerseyCooperativeExtensionGreen Infrastructure Practices: Tree Boxes https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1209/

CityofLancasterGreenInfrastructurePlanFact sheet – Tree Trench http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_004822.pdf

Vegetatedswales DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControlFact sheet – How to maintain private roadside swales http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/SiteCollectionDocuments/Soil/Sediment%20Stormwater/SwaleBrochure.pdf

Greenroofs UniversityofDelaware–CooperativeExtensionFact sheet on Green Roofs http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Green_Roofs.pdf

USEPA–green roof infohttp://www.epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/greenroofs.htm

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities: Green Roofs policy brochure http://greenroofs.org/index.php/about/green-wall-benefits/2-uncategorised/328-policy-brochure-2014

http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Rain_Gardens.pdf

http://rainready.org/sites/default/files/factsheets/Factsheet-RainReady-CapturingRainwater_0.pdf

http://rainready.org/sites/default/files/factsheets/Factsheet-RainReady-CapturingRainwater_0.pdf

http://nemo.uconn.edu/tools/publications.htm


https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1209/





http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Green_Roofs.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/greenroofs.htm




Rainbarrels,cisterns,anddownspoutdisconnections

UniversityofDelawareCooperativeExtensionFact Sheet: Rain Barrels http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Harvesting_Water.pdf

UniversityofDelaware–SeaGrantReport on Natural Stormwater Management http://www.deseagrant.org/products/protecting-water-quality-smart-growth-strategies-and-natural-stormwater-management-sussex

Riparianbuffers UniversityofDelaware–SeaGrantDelaware NEMO Guide: Chapter 3 – Maintaining Riparian Areas and Wetlands http://nemo.udel.edu/manual.aspx

DelawareRiverkeeperFact sheet: Riparian Buffers http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/resources/Factsheets/Riparian_Buffers.pdf

Livingshorelines DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControl(DNREC)Living Shorelines of Delaware Tour(on-linestorymap)http://dnrec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/?appid=371a244682084370a78d0a54c5edb27a

PartnershipforDelawareEstuaryLiving Shorelines in the Delaware Estuary: Best Practices and Lessons Learned (2013)https://delawareestuary.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/Living%20Shorelines/living_shorelines_best_practices.pdf

NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)Living Shoreline Planning and Implementation http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/restoration/techniques/lsimplementation.html

ChesapeakeBayFoundationLiving Shorelines for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed http://www.cbf.org/Document.Doc?id=60

http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Harvesting_Water.pdf



http://nemo.udel.edu/manual.aspx


http://dnrec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/?appid=371a244682084370a78d0a54c5edb27a

http://dnrec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/?appid=371a244682084370a78d0a54c5edb27a

https://delawareestuary.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/Living%20Shorelines/living_shorelines_best_practices.pdf

https://delawareestuary.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/Living%20Shorelines/living_shorelines_best_practices.pdf


http://www.cbf.org/Document.Doc?id=60


Resources for Watershed/Landscape Scale Practices

Floodplains TheNatureConservancyA Flood of Benefits: Using Green Infrastructure to Reduce Flood Risks https://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationPractices/Freshwater/HabitatProtectionandRestoration/Documents/A%20Flood%20of%20Benefits%20-%20J.Opperman%20-%20May%202014.pdf

DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControlDelaware Floodplain and Drainage Standards and Recommendations http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Shoreline/Documents/Floodplain%20and%20Drainage%20Code%20WG/FDAC%20Report%20Rev%20032613.pdf

Wetlands DelawareDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControlWetland Restoration in Delaware: A Landowner’s Guide Part1:RestorationStorieshttp://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Documents/restoration%20guidebook%20part%201%20all%2024%20pages.pdf

Part2:ResourcesforRestorationhttp://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Documents/restoration%20guidebook%20part%202%20all%2028%20pages.pdf

DelawareNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalControlWetland Monitoring and Assessment Program-EducationandOutreachwebpagehttp://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Pages/Library_Education_Outreach.aspx

Forests DelawareForestServiceDelaware Urban and Community Forestry http://delawaretrees.com/treecanopymaps:http://delawaretrees.com/publications-2/tree-canopy-maps/urbantreegrantprogram:http://delawaretrees.com/programs-and-services/urban-grant-program/

DelawareCenterforHorticultureCommunity Tree Program http://www.thedch.org/what-we-do/community-trees

USEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyStormwater to Street Trees: Engineering Urban Forests for Stormwater http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/upload/stormwater2streettrees.pdf

https://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationPractices/Freshwater/HabitatProtectionandRestoration/Documents/A%20Flood%20of%20Benefits%20-%20J.Opperman%20-%20May%202014.pdf





http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Admin/DelawareWetlands/Documents/restoration%20guidebook%20part%201%20all%2024%20pages.pdf






http://delawaretrees.com/

http://delawaretrees.com/publications-2/tree-canopy-maps/

http://delawaretrees.com/programs-and-services/urban-grant-program/

http://delawaretrees.com/programs-and-services/urban-grant-program/

http://www.thedch.org/what-we-do/community-trees

http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/upload/stormwater2streettrees.pdf


Mapping Resources

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Delaware Environmental Navigator http://www.nav.dnrec.delaware.gov/DEN3/

Delaware Sea Level Rise Inundation Map www.de.gov/slrmap

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

NOAA Digital Coast - Coastal Flood Exposure Mapperhttp://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/flood-exposure

http://www.nav.dnrec.delaware.gov/DEN3/

http://www.de.gov/slrmap

http://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/flood-exposure

http://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/flood-exposure

Green Infrastructure PrimerA Delaware Guide to Using Natural Systems in Urban, Rural, and Coastal Settings