Overview
Green stormwater infrastructure projects improve water quality by reducing and treating stormwater at its source through infiltration and/or evapotranspiration. Green stormwater infrastructure projects selected for funding go beyond offering a greener solution. They:
- Maximize opportunities to leverage the multiple benefits of green stormwater infrastructure,
- Spur innovation in the field of stormwater management,
- Build capacity to construct and maintain green stormwater infrastructure, and/or
- Facilitate the transfer of new technologies and practices to other areas of the State.
Funding
The maximum percentage grant is up to 90% of eligible project costs for a green stormwater infrastructure project in a municipality that meets the Median Household Income criteria, or that serves, protects, or benefits an environmental justice area.
All other green infrastructure projects are eligible to receive up to a maximum of 75% of total eligible project costs.
Eligible Applicants
- Municipalities
- Private Entities
- State Agencies
- Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Eligible Practices
Bioretention
Bioretention systems are shallow vegetated depressions often referred to by a variety of names such as bioinfiltration areas, biofilters, rain gardens, bioswales, or recharge gardens. They are very effective at removing pollutants and reducing stormwater runoff. Properly designed bioretention practices mimic natural ecosystems through species diversity, density and distribution of vegetation, and the use of native species. This allows for the bioretention system to be resistant to insects, disease, pollution, and climatic stresses.
Downspout Disconnection
Downspout disconnection is the removal of roof runoff from a direct connection to a combined or storm sewer and redirecting runoff to a vegetated and pervious area where plants and soil can filter and infiltrate the water. Historically, many communities required that roofs have stormwater connected to the sewer to rapidly convey the water away from the structure. However, by redirecting the rain to a designated vegetated pervious area or catchment system, runoff volume can be greatly reduced and water quality benefits can be achieved.
Establishment or Restoration of Floodplains, Riparian Buffers, Streams or Wetlands
Flood plains are a natural water right-of-way that provide temporary storage for large flood events. Restoring flood plains provides greater storage of excess water in large storm events, reduces volume through infiltration and evaporation, and filters sediment and nutrients from the water before it reaches or re-enters the receiving waterbody.
Riparian Buffers are vegetated areas adjacent to streams. This practice helps protect streams from the impacts of stormwater runoff by: filtering sediment and other pollutants, reducing erosion by stabilizing stream channels and banks, and providing temperature control through stream shading.
Stream bank stabilization uses bioengineering and soft redirected methods to rehabilitate streams to a more natural flow with an overarching goal of reducing erosion and destructive flows. Stream stabilization typically consists of vegetative improvements as well as the use of lock logs, stones, vanes, weirs and j-hooks where appropriate.
Stream daylighting typically occurs in highly urban areas where historic streams have often been piped and buried to make way for development. This practice uncovers these streams and returns them to their natural condition, improving the environment and livability of the surrounding community.
Wetlands and Constructed Wetlands are shallow marsh systems planted with emergent vegetation that are designed to treat stormwater runoff. They are extremely effective for pollutant removal and can mitigate flooding and reduce runoff volume.
Green Roofs and Green Walls
Green roofs consist of vegetation, growing media, and a drainage layer installed on top of a conventional flat or sloped roof. The vegetation reduces stormwater runoff from the rooftop primarily through uptake and evapotranspiration.
Green Walls are vertical systems which consist of a modular container to hold growing media and vegetation.
Permeable Pavement
Permeable Pavements are designed to reduce stormwater runoff by conveying rainfall through the pavement surface into an underlying reservoir where it can infiltrate. Permeable pavements include permeable asphalt, permeable concrete, and pervious pavers such as reinforced turf and interlocking modules. Given appropriate soil and subsurface conditions, permeable pavements can be used in many types of development, including: roads, parking lots, sidewalks, plazas, playgrounds, basketball courts, and tennis courts.
Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse
Rain barrels and cisterns, the most common types of projects in this practice, capture and store stormwater runoff to be used later for non-potable activities. Rain barrels are rooftop catchment storage systems typically utilized in residential settings while cisterns are used in large-scale commercial and industrial settings.
Stormwater Street Trees/Urban Forestry Programs
Stormwater Street Trees include engineered tree pits, tree boxes and trenches designed to capture stormwater from adjacent sidewalks and roadways.
Urban Forestry Programs are comprehensive plans that map out existing trees and plant new trees to manage and maintain their urban canopy.
Design Guidance
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