Abstracts 1. Tools for Climate Change Adaptation: Intelligent Control of Green Infrastructure

Abstracts

1. Tools for Climate Change Adaptation: Intelligent Control of GreenInfrastructure

Hurricane Sandy caused an estimated $16 million in damages in Pennsylvania. Although this figure is dwarfed by the upwards of $19 billion in damages in New York City alone, this is in line with several other states that sustained damage by the storm. Hurricanes and other extreme events can cause considerable hazards to infrastructure, businesses, and citizens. As we see more and more extreme meteorological events hitting urban settings it is clear that new and innovative approaches to stormwater management are needed to combat the effects of climatechange.

State, local and federal governments have made significant investments in the development of stormwater control measures (SMCs) for flood attenuation and water quality treatment. As regulations become more stringent, investment in enhancing SCMs will be needed to meet future flood control and pollutant reduction requirements. Recent advances in information technology infrastructure, hardware systems, and software are providing a foundation for a future of digitally connected and dynamically monitored and controlled civil and green infrastructure. Due to these advances, real-time monitoring and dynamic controls of stormwater infrastructure is now a viable, cost-effective option to provide enhanced resiliency to flooding.This presentation will provide an overview of the tools availablefor intelligent control of green infrastructure and will focus onprojects that have used this technology to meet changing regulatory drivers, including climate change.

2. Title: Good Housekeeping Pollution Prevention for Municipal Operations – Keeping Pollutants in Check and Checking BoxesGood housekeeping workshops have been training municipal staff, including public works and parks personnel, municipal engineers and other officials about controlling and preventing stormwater runoff pollution from municipal operations since MS4 permits werefirst issued in southeast Pennsylvania in the 1990’s. While much

criticism and ire often accompanies the discussion of the MS4 Permit, to its credit, the PA General Permit has been a catalyst for progress. Public works department efforts to identify and implement good housekeeping practices to better manage municipal facilities and operations, and control runoff pollution have improved since the first permits were issued. Despite its shortcomings and challenges, the permit has been a force for good. The MS4 good housekeeping practices specified by Minimum Control Measure Six (MCM6) has spurred on training, education and outreach, which, in turn, has motivated and documented improvements to municipal operations. This presentation will highlight challenges and achievements relative to MCM6 based on observations made and data gathering by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council through its tenure leading, and partnering on, good housekeeping workshops that have reached nearly 1000 municipal representatives from nearly 100 PA municipalities and organizations over the past ten years. This presentation will succinctly recap workshop highlights reflecting feedback from attendees; highlight noteworthy progress in good housekeeping among southeast region municipalities based on surveys and site visits conducted; and identify needed improvements, lingering questions, shortfalls, and issues requiring attention and research to further advance the goals of this control measure andthe NPDES program. The response to the Council’s trainings is one positive outcome from the MS4 Permit, this presentation will elaborate on other relevant outcomes and information to help guide and spur further progress.

3. Innovative Stormwater Management applied under Environmental SiteDesign at a Trash Transfer Station in Baltimore County.

Run-off collects impurities. Obvious methods to capture these solids with flat screens, settling tanks and sand filters work, but how efficient are these methods? Managing the water in run-off goes hand in hand with managing the removed impurities. Innovative designs reduce maintenance cost with infrequent and efficient cleaning methods. Purifying water is an old art, but purifying stormwater run-off is an old art applied in a new application. In the 20th century great strides were mate to improve efficiency in potable water treatment. Those lessons and

stormwater flow regimes led to post construction stormwater management treatment device adaptations applied in Baltimore County. Trash nets can increase flow through surface area by 1700%, capture volume by 1600% and reduce maintenance attendance.Placing parallel plates in a settling tank can reduce settling tank footprint and match conventional settling tank performance by reducing the required tank area up to 90%. The single surfacearea of a sand filter can be increased with pleated surface areasof cartridge filters and do the work of 190 square feet of sand filter in one square foot cartridge assembly.

We discuss the application of MDE Appendix D10 for ESD (Environmental Site Design) and above technologies for the Central Acceptance Site. We discuss the treatment train capture-and maintenance experience after filter installation in august 2013 and how in one year we discovered the substantial filter cake build-up on the filter surfaces. We report the Particle size distribution and concentration of TP in the cake. We highlight the particle behavior in run-off and how it enters the water column. We show what controls must be in place to allow a particle to stratify in the water column and how new patent applied for settling technology reduces turbulence in a settling cell to further efficiency of particle and water separation by gravity.

Currently this Con-Current settling technology is tested according to the January 2013 NJDEP laboratory protocol at Alden Laboratory in Holden Massachusetts.

4. Effective Applications for Concrete Grid Pavements

Concrete grid pavers as specified under ASTM 1319 can be a very effective and economical site solution for heat island mitigationas well as stormwater and erosion management. These systems are best applied with proper goals in mind. Typical installations arewith grass planted in the openings as a highly effective urban heat island management device. Stormwater infiltration results from field studies are reviewed for this application as well as with voids filled with open graded stone. Includes a survey of

ASTM C1319 – 14 Standard Specification for Concrete Grid Paving Units and how this standard effects selection of concrete grid paving units for vehicular and ADA applications.Finally, applications as an effective riparian stabilization and stream erosion device are reviewed, as well as design and installation recommendations.

5. Rain Checks to Large Scale Disconnection – Balancing Philadelphia’s Green Infrastructure Retrofits:Philadelphia Water Department’s Green City Clean Waters plan is an aggressive and innovative approach for controlling CSO overflows through green of city spaces. Residential properties represent roughly 80% of PWD accounts and 20% of the City’s impervious. Rain Check is a PWD program that reimburses residents for managing stormwater at home. Public parks, recreation centers, schools and streets contribute significantly to the City’s impervious. Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) consultants are designing large scale retrofits on public land atalmost 10 greened acres per project. This session presents two programs aimed at achieving a balance of public and private investment in GSI retrofits. Main points emphasized during this session are that partnerships and branding can drive the success of a GI program; that monitoring, inspection and redesign are essential to accelerate GSI implementation and drive down costs; and that GSI planning should include analysis of co-opportunitiesand goal alignment as well as the traditional analysis of physical site constraints.

6. Community-based Green Infrastructure Planning: A Case Study in Philadelphia’s Combined Sewer Area

Increasingly, Green Infrastructure (GI) is a popular option forstormwater management, in part, because of the indirect,ancillary benefits it provides to communities. However, a top-down approach to implementing GI may turn out to be lesseffective than expected because it fails to meet the broaderneeds of communities where the GI practices are installed. Thisstudy reports on research to develop a planning methodology thatincorporates local communities’ preferences into a systems modelto prioritize implementation of GI practices. We are developing

an innovative bottom-up planning model that considers multipleobjectives and community-based participatory research to supportstrategic decision making. We present a case study where themethodology is being applied in Philadelphia’s combined sewerarea, particularly on a North Philadelphia neighborhood served bya Registered Community Organization named the Village of Arts andHumanities.

Our methods include workshops held with our project’s ResearchAdvisory Board comprised of partners who are community leadersand local experts, where we apply the Swing Weighting Method toelicit community priorities and translate them into our planningmodel. The model will be used to explore GI deployment strategiesthat simultaneously satisfy the city’s administrative goals andrespond well to the needs of communities.

7. Evaluating green infrastructure fluxes using ParFlow.CLM

In implementation of green infrastructure (GI), quantifying the effects on atmospheric and subsurface processes is often overlooked. To illustrate the interaction between GI and groundwater dynamics at the watershed scale, we have applied the integrated hydrologic model ParFlow.CLM at a 40-m gridding resolution to a subarea of the Wingohocking watershed in Philadelphia. Work to date has focused on construction of a base-case model by assimilation of fine-scale land cover, water supply leakage, pipe locations, topography, geologic properties, and NLDAS meteorologic forcing data. The model has been run from2004 to 2015. Seasonal and interannual variability in simulated subsurface storage is apparent. Additionally, the base-case model shows spatial variability in evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and recharge associated with different types of land cover. These factors are important in evaluating GI site fluxes and performance depending on GI primary land cover type. At the land surface, cells become progressively drier at different ratesdue to evapotranspiration and infiltration differing among land cover types. After long dry periods, the hydraulic gradient between the top two layers is upward due to evapotranspiration fluxes at surface layers. During precipitation periods,

infiltration rates are highly dependent on hysteresis of the unsaturated zone hydraulic conductivity.

8. Framework for Post-construction Green Stormwater Infrastructure Program Management

The success of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) program is based primarily on operation and maintenance of the Stormwater Management Practices (SMPs). A framework based on systemic approach, including procedures and methodologies to assess the functionality of the SMPs is a must to ensure sustainability of GSI programs. The Philadelphia Water Department and Johnson Mirmiran and Thompson (JMT) developed a framework for inspection and hydraulic assessment of SMPs on private property. This presentation will outline the core components of a SMP inspectionand assessment frameworks, inspection and reporting protocols, hydraulic and conditional assessment rankings, using the collected data during inspection of 150 SMP sites to understand the common causes of failures of each SMP types (rain garden, green roofs, underground detention and infiltration systems, porous pavements, bioretention areas and proprietary water quality treatment devices), and incorporating lessons learned in refining the life-cycle process of GSI programs.LearningOutcomes

1. Develop a clear understanding of the essentialelements of a comprehensive post- constructionGSI management framework.

2. Develop an understanding of SMP inspection andhydraulic assessment protocols and reporting structure.

3. Develop an understanding of any obstacles encountered during the project and how they were overcome.

4. Develop an understanding of some of the key lessons learned from the project.

9. Managing Stormwater through Floodplain Restoration: Case Studies,Calculations, and Cost-Benefit

Floodplain restoration provides a unique approach to stormwater management with significant economic, ecological, and community benefits. The Rock Lititz and Landis Homes development sites in Lancaster County, PA have employed this approach successfully andare presented here to illustrate the quantification of peak attenuation, volume reduction, and water quality improvement which exceed permit requirements. Preliminary monitoring data onthe Landis Homes site supports the modeled function of the floodplain. In addition, each project demonstrates a positive return on investment compared to conventional stormwater management approaches, and each provides significant additional benefits to the owner and to the community. This presentation will review the fundamental principles of floodplain restoration and the mechanisms within a restored floodplain that provide stormwater management function. In addition, the current permitting path and permit considerations for this type of project will be discussed.

10. Miqoun Creek Restoration - Restoring Stream Function and Safety After Extreme Storm Damage

Miquon Creek, a tributary to the Schuylkill River, flows through the Miquon School Property in Montgomery County, PA and has experienced significant erosion over the past decade. The streamis an integral part of the outdoor learning curriculum at Miquon School, and the degradation of the stream has led to safety concerns due to the high vertical banks. The stream channel has been degraded by recent extreme rainfall/runoff events, leading the channel to become severely entrenched which has limited floodwater storage and vegetative protection of the stream banks.The restoration aims to stabilize the stream banks/bed, develop habitats for aquatic/terrestrial plants, improve macroinvertebrate/fish habitat, improve sediment transport, and create a safe condition for education of Miquon School students. This will be achieved through a combination of techniques including bank grading, developing a step/pool system, and the restoration of a riparian buffer. In addition, the proposed restoration design will provide improved water quality through nutrient and sediment reductions that can be quantified using

accepted and established removal rates for this type of restoration approach.

11. Capital Health – Replacement Hospital: Demonstrating Sustainable Stormwater Management Measures Integrated Into a Complex Site Design

In 2011, Capital Health completed the relocation and upgrading ofits former hospital/healthcare facility in Trenton to a new 165 acre site at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Scotch Road, Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. The new state-of-the-art facility includes a 960,000 square foot, 367 bed state-of-the-art LEED Gold-certified hospital and 300,000 square feet of medical office space.

Overall site/civil engineering services included environmental site assessment and permitting, subdivision, base surveying and engineering design of all roadways, parking, a new sanitary sewage pump station, utility infrastructure and an integrated stormwater management system. Complete environmental services that spanned a broad range of essential project requisites were also provided and resulted in securing all necessary local, State, and Federal approvals to construct the Project.

Central to the site design and an equally important credit towards the project’s pursuit of LEED Gold-certification is the state-of-the-art stormwater management system designed with a combination of various integrated stormwater management BMPs. BMP’s include a rainwater harvesting system used for irrigation; disconnected impervious surfaces, such as curbless pavement areas, that drain to vegetated roadside swales or vegetated bio-swales within inverted parking lot islands; vegetated green roofs; constructed wetland basins, converted from existing ponds,that promote biological uptake of nutrients from stormwater runoff and bio-diversity through multiple forms of plant and ecological habitats; and the use of native or adaptive landscaping throughout the project site.

Granted general development plan and preliminary/final subdivision and site plan approval from Hopewell Township, this

U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold-certified facility opened on November 6, 2011

12. Washington Road Stream Restoration - Utilizing Green Infrastructure Design

Over many decades, increasing stormwater runoff resulted in the instability of the Washington Road Stream on Princeton University’s Campus, causing erosion and other damage to the ecosystems in the immediate area. The goal of this project was torestore the Washington Road Stream to a stable condition through the application of “green” or natural channel design principles.

This project consisted of restoring approximately 1,400 linear feet of stream channel along the Washington Road stream corridor on Princeton University’s campus. The project began at the intersection of Washington Road and Armory Drive and runs 1400 feet downstream to Faculty Road.

Restoration activities included grading and reshaping the streambed and stream banks, rock boulder placement to form grade control/habitat features, stacked stone for stream bank protection, installation of cobble/gravel/sand material to help form the reshaped streambed, and landscaping the corridor with native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous materials to enhance the riparian buffer. While some trees were removed (many of which were threatened at that time by on-going bank erosion), the project entailed planting some 300 new trees and over 2,000 otherplants. Much of the rock used in the project was native and brought in from other on-campus project construction sites on theother side of Washington Road. The restoration area was approximately 1.4 acres over the 1,400 linear feet of stream channel and the project was completed in 2012.

Sustainability Features

The goals achieved for this project included:

Correcting severe environmental degradation caused by past stormwater runoff (now corrected by stormwater master plan implementation)

Ensuring ongoing stream stability and health Improving water quality by reducing erosion and sedimentation Protecting and enhance aquatic, riparian, and wetland habitat Achieving a net increase of 0.30 acres of wetlands within the

project area

13. Assessment of the Spatial Distribution of Brownfield Sites in Chester, PA at Risk of Flooding and Release of Pollutants to the Delaware River

The City of Chester has undertaken an initiative to promote sustainable stewardship of its waterways, especially, the coastalDelaware River with revised zoning, comprehensive planning, and amove towards integrating green stormwater infrastructure into itsrevitalization plans. The city has a rich history of manufacturing and other industries, but suffered great losses in these industries in the 1960s due to outsourcing. Much of the historic industrial and manufacturing sites are situated within close proximity to the Delaware River and the Ridley and Chester Creeks. These sites, which are now considered potential brownfields, have unknown but suspected contamination. As the City moves forward with its plans for revitalization, it is imperative that they do so with an understanding of the spatial distribution of these brownfields sites in relation to areas of flooding, storm surges, and impending sea level rise. For this project, a historic land parcel search was completed to determinesites within the City limits that would fall within the category of a brownfield. Once spatially referenced, a conceptual hydrologic model of surface and ground water was constructed to ascertain the impact of extreme hydrologic events on these brownfields sites. Since the degree of potential contaminants have yet to be ascertained, a careful examination of the effects of flooding and extreme hydrologic events needs to be evaluated to address future development and modification within the dynamicriparian system of the Delaware River.

14. Long-term Performance and As-built Infiltration Testing of aVegetated SCMA vegetated SCM located on the campus of Villanova University hasbeen in operation for 15 years. The SCM has been the focus of various detailed research efforts and long-term continuous data collection efforts over its entire period of operation. Over its15-year history, no major maintenance efforts have been performedin the SCM, and yet the SCM has continued to treat and infiltratestormwater runoff in an acceptable manner. The focus of this study was the analysis of the long-term data record to determine how the performance of the SCM has changed over time. Long-term operation is a critical component of any stormwater system; especially those that rely on infiltration. The question of long-term performance raises several key design questions relatedto how design and maintenance efforts can maximize system performance over a long-term time span. Continuous monitoring programs to determine SCM performance are often cost prohibitive,therefore as a secondary focus, the SCM was subject to a single day of in-field infiltration testing. The results of this as-built in-field testing are compared and contrasted to the long-term performance record.

15. Stormwater, where does it go? The challenge of improving aging infrastructure while enhancing water quality brings us the next frontier in stormwater management and civil engineering design.

Stormwater runoff is causing impairment to the aquatic andriparian habitats of rivers and streams. These water bodies aresuffering from erosion resulting in the exposure of sewerinfrastructure and decreased stream base flow due to reducedgroundwater recharge. Our streams are no longer supportinghealthy aquatic communities, not meeting designated uses, are notserving as amenities to our community and are occasionallycausing property damage due to flooding. Additionally, stormwateris an important source of pollution to our drinking waterintakes.

This presentation will focus on providing a multi-pronged designapproach while creatively finding economical and aesthetically

pleasing solutions to design projects in order to meet or exceedthese local, state and federal regulations. Each site or projectwe redevelop is unique and brings its own challenges, constraintsand opportunities. This will be presented using projects withinthe Philadelphia area which required meeting the local stormwaterregulations as well as federal NPDES permitting requirements.

16. Tiered conveyance filtration: a Swale of an Idea. Creative Design Ideas

This presentation highlights some practical options of regenerative stormwater conveyance. Stormwater runoff on slopes is a persistent problem. Erosion is a major issue resulting fromwater moving with momentum. Slowing down the runoff can be achieved with creative use of detention ponds, swales, and rain garden type applications, especially in utilized in a tiered approach. Practicalities and some aesthetic considerations will also be discussed.

17. Wet, Flat, and Crowded: A Case Study

Constraints are the drivers of design; on sites with many constraints, designs are limited. Our work at an Equine Center in Morristown, New Jersey tested creativity and patience. Stormwater treatment and management was a major challenge at a working stable with too many horses, minimal topographic relief, high nutrient loads, heavy traffic, non-porous soils, and little interest in facility maintenance by the stable personnel. Project goals focused primarily on improving the quality of waterleaving the site and draining to Loantaka Brook, and improving the functionality of the land area within the equine center. Design involved a combination of small elements including a French drain, wet meadow bio-basins, modified biodiffusers, vegetated buffer areas and swales, exclusion fencing, grade modifications, and gutter installation. Site conditions have improved but maintenance of the stormwater facilities is a constant struggle. Adding to the complexity of such a small site, the long term success of the project is dependent on othersto continue the maintenance and upkeep of the designed

facilities; failure to do so will result in failure of the systemand the loss of expected benefits.

18. Managing Stormwater through Floodplain Restoration: Case Studies, Calculations, and Cost-Benefit

Floodplain restoration provides a unique approach to stormwater management with significant economic, ecological, and community benefits. The Rock Lititz and Landis Homes development sites in Lancaster County, PA have employed this approach successfully andare presented here to illustrate the quantification of peak attenuation, volume reduction, and water quality improvement which exceed permit requirements. Preliminary monitoring data onthe Landis Homes site supports the modeled function of the floodplain. In addition, each project demonstrates a positive return on investment compared to conventional stormwater management approaches, and each provides significant additional benefits to the owner and to the community. This presentation will review the fundamental principles of floodplain restoration and the mechanisms within a restored floodplain that provide stormwater management function. In addition, the current permitting path and permit considerations for this type of project will be discussed.

19. Evaluation of urban riparian buffers on stream health in theTookany Watershed, PA

Riparian zones influence the health of streams by increasing bankstability and promoting nutrient transformations through biogeochemical and hydrological processes. However, increases in impervious surface area and altered drainage patterns often result in the disconnection of riparian areas from streams as channels incise. Stream restoration and stormwater control measures seek to improve riparian function through engineered channel complexity, grading of stream banks to reconnect incised channels, re-establishment of riparian vegetation, and increased infiltration.

This project focuses on monitoring streams with reaches of varying connectivity to riparian zones within the Tookany

Watershed, PA. Analysis will include stream erosion and deposition within monitored reaches to measure how riparian zonesinfluence stream health longitudinally both within a buffered reach and downstream of the riparian zone. Monitoring will include the use of turbidity and temperature loggers, and detailed morphology analysis through bank pin monitoring and Total Station transects as well as characterization of riparian zones through vegetation surveys. By studying existing riparian areas within an urbanized catchment we hope to increase understanding of the effectiveness of riparian zones, both natural and reconstructed, on urban stream health and water quality.

20. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Green Infrastructure Storm-Water Controls in a Combined Sewer SystemAs a response to a federal Consent Decree, the Louisville andJefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) is takingnecessary measures to mitigate its Combined Sewer Overflows(CSOs) by use of Gray and Green Infrastructure (GI) stormwatercontrols. On a large scale, a direct relationship between reducedCSOs and the effectiveness of the GI Controls, is difficult toassess. Thus, MSD initiated a pilot CSO mitigation project in asmall-urbanized sewershed that extensively relied upon monitoredGI controls in order to quantify their performance. The suite ofGI controls in the study area consisted of 14 permeable pavementsystems, four infiltration galleries, and a total number of 29tree-boxes installed between December 2011 and September 2013.

This study quantifies the performance and effectiveness of theseGI controls in CSO mitigation through analyzing the observed CSOvolumes correlated with rainfall characteristics such as depth,frequency, maximum intensity, and antecedent conditions for bothpre-development and post-development conditions over a three-yearperiod. Preliminary results of the study indicate the GI controlsare reducing the combined sewer overflow volumes, but the dataassessment methodology and the initial analysis decisions play asignificant role when evaluating the overall performance.

21. The Effects of Green Stormwater Infrastructure on Surrounding Property ValuesThough the primary purpose of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is undeniably a reduction in stormwater runoff, many GSI projects also hold the potential of producing additional benefitsfor surrounding communities. Indeed, the Philadelphia Water Department’s initial proposal for its ambitious Green City, Clean Waters GSI program included a Triple Bottom Line analysis predicting economic, social, and environmental benefits all aboveand beyond stormwater runoff reductions. As the Green City, Clean Waters program is implemented, the data now exist to examine someof the actual non-stormwater effects of the program. This study explores the impacts of Philadelphia’s recently implemented GSI on surrounding property values, attempting to understand the impacts of different types of GSI projects. GSI projects take onmany different forms and sizes, and not all may be reasonably expected to affect their surroundings in the same manner – a nearly invisible infiltration trench is unlikely to have the sameimpact as a large and lush wetland or rain garden, for example. The study further explores whether the impacts are felt similarlyin all areas of the city. Ultimately, these results will be incorporated into an optimization model to aid in planning of future GSI.

22. Introduction to i-Tree Eco and i-Tree Hydro: Tools to capture the role of trees in stormwater managementTrees, through their physical structure and leaf surface area, provide many functions that can play a significant role in stormwater management. However, estimating the contribution of trees to stormwater management systems can be challenging. In this presentation we will introduce the use of i-Tree Eco and i-Tree Hydro for modeling the impacts of trees on stormwater at a range of scales. The i-Tree Eco model can be used to capture the species specific benefits of individual trees including, but not limited to, estimates of avoided runoff per tree with associated dollar values. The i-Tree Hydro model, scalable from the parcel to the watershed, estimates the impact of changes in tree canopy and impervious cover on water quality and quantity. Both i-Tree Eco and i-Tree Hydro employ local weather data and i-Tree Hydro can be used with stream gauge data to create highly localized

results. The i-Tree tools are free software based on USDA Forest Service science and are designed to assess the structure, function, and benefits of trees in support of their strategic management.

23. The Darby Cobbs Stormwater Initiative: Getting to the New Normal

Through the creation of partnerships amongst key stakeholders in the Darby and Cobbs Watershed, an innovative program was launchedto build competency and capacity on Green Infrastructure. The initiative brings together the Pennsylvania Resources Council, the Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative (EDCSC), andthe Haverford Township EAC as well as 8 municipalities. Highly visible demonstration rain gardens will be constructed on public properties in the 8 EDCSC member municipalities. Creation of the rain gardens will be done as a part of an educational initiative to train a regional Rain Garden Resource Team. This team is designed to work on an ongoing basis to support education effortsof residents, municipal personnel, and other stakeholders on the ecological importance, benefits, and feasibility of rain gardens.The team will serve as an integral tool in implementing rain gardens on private residential property. The framework being piloted in Haverford Township, is designed to be transferable to the other EDCSC municipal members creating a watershed wide program supporting the creation of residential rain gardens. The multipronged Initiative focuses on direct engagement of residents, elected officials, administrators, engineers and public works professionals creating a lasting change in behaviorsthat lead to urban stormwater pollution.

24. PennDOT’s Blueprint for the Nation’s Largest SCM MaintenanceProgram

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) owns morethan 3,000 SCMs – a number expected to double in next 10 years. Tracking and keeping up with the long-term operation and maintenance obligations for these SCMs became increasingly difficult for the various organizational units within the Department. PennDOT recognized that a major program overhaul was

necessary to meet commitments in PennDOT’s MS4 NPDES Permit and regulatory requirements for PCSM Plans approved in conjunction with NPDES construction permits. With an organizational structure that includes 11 District Offices, 67 County Maintenance Offices, and the Bureau of Maintenance and Operationsin Harrisburg, developing a program was no small task. This paper highlights the key program components, explains the numerous challenges, and previews future program enhancements.

25.Stormwater Maintenance District: Enabling Public Maintenance of Privately Owned Basins and BMPs

One of the most difficult surface water issues throughout the Country is the reliance on private entities for the maintenance of stormwater management structures. Kent County, Delaware, is implementing a Countywide, noncontiguous Stormwater Maintenance District (SWMD) that enables it to maintain privately-owned stormwater basins and BMPs through an inter-agency agreement withthe Kent Conservation District. Future residential developments with stormwater management facilities are required to join. Existing residential and commercial developments may join by petition.

The setting of fees varying by location was evaluated before one uniform fee was adopted based on estimated annual routine, minor,and major maintenance costs. An equivalent residential unit (ERU) basis was established for commercial locations.

Enabling legislation was developed at the State level as was an ordinance at the County level that defined maintenance responsibilities and established the petition process. A technicaladvisory committee will review and prioritize capital projects, annual budget, and administration of the program. Outreach is being conducted to inform residents of the program and educate themon general water quality objectives.

While numerous jurisdictions maintain privately-owned structures,most have a stormwater utility that provides income to offset costs. The creation of a special district enables other local

governments to develop a revenue stream for infrastructure maintenance.

26. It Takes a Team – Designing SCMs for Long-term MaintenanceThis presentation will provide a view of how stormwater management design has evolved to address SMCs longevity and maintenance, and reinforces that it takes a team of academics, designers, regulators, developers, contractors and inspectors to achieve water quality protection through stormwater management. Real world examples of SMC failures, the required repairs, and a discussions of lessons learned in the process will be presented using original photographs and recently published EPA, ChesapeakeBay Foundation and Philadelphia Water Department guidelines.

The longevity of stormwater management practices is the responsibility of stormwater professionals at all levels. Stormwater management starts with research and ends with maintenance. In between there is design, review, construction, and inspection. After all of that is complete, the developers and owners must take over maintenance. They too must understand that they are part of the stormwater management team. To successfully build a SMC, all people involved must fully understand the purpose and limitations of SCMs, as well as the practical limitations of construction and the real long-term costto the developers and owners.

We will explore the inspection and maintenance requirements of Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 102 (Environmental Protection - Erosion and Sediment and Stormwater Management), andexplore the requirements to monitor SCMs found in the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. The implications of these regulations on municipalities, designers, developers and contractors are just now becoming apparent. We will show that the purpose of these regulations is to provide sustainable stormwater implementation, and that it is the responsibility of the entire team of professionals involved to assure that it is done right.

Further, we will look at the projections of long-term maintenanceneeds for Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). GSI is a

relatively young concept if compared to the expected design life for stormwater systems. Maintenance needs and potential water quality issues will be explored.

The many professionals involved in stormwater management should take stormwater implementation to the next level by working together to protect our streams, lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Lessons from past failures can be incorporated into future designs, if they are remembered. All of the stages of stormwaterimplementation (research through maintenance) need to be coordinated to assure that failure of a stormwater management installation does not occur. It takes a team to assure longevityof SMCs.

27. “EXCEPTIONAL” REDEVELOPMENT

How many buildings bridge an Exceptional Value stream?

The former AEGON campus in Chester County has a building thatspans a tributary of Valley Creek, an Exceptional Valuewatercourse. After sitting vacant for more than 6 years, adeveloper found a tenant for the property and proposed dramaticchanges to three and four-story 1960’s vintage office buildingswhile enhancing the environment.

Redevelopment included construction of a lobby/conference spaceto connect two of the buildings within the 150’ riparian buffer.Close collaboration with the PADEP Southeast Regional Office,Chester County Conservation District and Economic DevelopmentCouncil assisted in securing an NPDES permit with a“redevelopment waiver” to allow for construction within thebuffer.

Design Solutions

Implemented volume reduction, water quality and rate BMP’son a site located within a limestone corridor and virtuallyvoid of stormwater management controls.

Landscape design around an onsite pond to create a bufferand discourage use of the pond by Canadian Geese to reduce

nutrient loading caused by the birds. This also provides ahabitat around the pond and manages water quality throughenhanced evapotranspiration and temperature control.

Stream bank stabilization of the waterway to addressexisting erosion conditions.

Removal of invasive species within the buffer.

28. Introduction to an Innovative Full-Surface Previous Pavementand Underground Stormwater Storage System Using Silica Sand-BasedMaterials

Rapid urbanization in China is transforming more and more landinto urban districts. Severe water shortage, flooding and waterquality issues drive the recent launching of a nation-wide “Sponge City” initiative in China, with enormous actionplans in many cities to implement low impact developmentpractices, with some aspects of the initiative similar to the“Clean Water, Green City” program in Philadelphia.

An innovative stormwater management system has been developed inChina. The system includes a full-surface pervious pavement unit,an underground stormwater storage unit, and a groundwaterrecharge/overflow unit. The silica sand-based material itself canbe permeable, and was used to make the pervious pavements,drainage ditches, curbs, storage vaults and recharge wells. Thematerials have demonstrated distinctive advantages and potentialas an alternative to conventional concrete, metal and plasticmaterials in some stormwater applications. A preliminaryrainwater harvesting software tool based on daily storage-usemodeling was also discussed to assist in the designing of thesystem.

29. Building Community Capacity Through Technical Assistance: The EPA Green Infrastructure Community Partners Project

In 2012 the U.S. EPA began the Green Infrastructure Community Partners Project to increase acceptance of Green Infrastructure by highlighting effective programs and overcoming barriers.

Through the Project, technical assistance is offered to communities to implement Green Infrastructure concepts. Assistance includes ordinance review to identify barriers; policyreview to integrate concepts; development of standards and specifications; conceptual designs of practices; and program evaluation to assess benefits. As a primary technical assistance contractor for EPA, Tetra Tech has supported 36 communities across the country through the Project. Some communities identified and evaluated potential sites for green infrastructure practices including bioretention, permeable pavement, constructed wetlands, green roofs, and water harvesting. Conceptual designs were developed with details and renderings of Green Infrastructure practices. These details will be used as a standard for implementing BMPs in future projects. Other cities received assistance to prepare and update guidance documents to improve identification, prioritization, and implementation of green infrastructure practices. Audits of key local codes helped to identify and address any barriers to the implementation of green infrastructure concepts, and discussions of potential funding sources were often included. This session will provide an overview and case studies that help advance the use of Green Infrastructure nationwide.

30. Towards a Resilient Stormwater Future: Building Back from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 resulted in historic flooding in the tri-state areaof Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. In response to this devastation, the State of New York established the New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program in 2012 to rebuild more resilient NY communities and allocate U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding.Through this effort, Tetra Tech supported the state in developingreconstruction plans for 11 upstate communities. This process utilized stakeholder engagement and hazard mitigation planning toassess damages and risk, identify community needs and

opportunities, and develop recovery and resiliency strategies that would qualify for funding. Although most upstate communities were affected by riverine flooding, neighborhoods were also heavily impacted by stormwater flooding exacerbated by underperforming infrastructure. Tetra Tech evaluated the potential for improving grey infrastructure and including green infrastructure to reduce future vulnerability, resulting in plans that proposed eligible projectsfocused on resiliency. Using examples from the approved plan forChenango, NY, this session will illustrate the process and discuss solutions to decrease the impacts of stormwater flooding and to increase the resiliency of an affected community.

31. MS4/Stormwater Compliance: Floodplain Restoration/Reconnection

Municipalities are charged with complying with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permits and the six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs). Pollutant Reduction Plans (PRPs) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reductions are now required undermany watershed implementation plans (WIPs). To meet the challenges, regulators have identified Natural Stream Channel Design (NSCD) restoration and floodplain and riparian reconnection as a means of improving water quality, along with Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) implementation to provide TMDL Waste Load Allocation (WLA) compliance under MS4 permits.

Pollutant Reduction Plan approaches include:

Develop water resources integrated-gray infrastructure improvements/opportunities while implementing GSI StormwaterControl Measures (SCMs) and non-structural control measures to improve water quality, increase base flow recharge and reduce nuisance flooding.

Perform comprehensive watershed restoration measures to provide required floodprone area hydrologic modifications through natural channel restoration, floodplain reconnection/wetlands, riparian buffers, and reforestation.

Practice step-pool stormwater conveyance restoration and bioengineering techniques to stabilize and restore eroding, sediment producing, potentially regulated tributary/stormwater conveyances.

Integrated gray/green stormwater PRPs can create open space floodplain/recreation areas, improved parklands/golf courses, replaced/maintained NSCD bridges and provide maintenance of othergray infrastructure community assets to provide multiple benefitsincluding social, economic and ecologic uplift.

32. Green Stormwater Infrastructure Design Challenges and Considerations for Inflow Stabilization

As a part of PWD’s Green City Clean Waters 25-year plan, a growing number of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) practicesare being designed and implemented within Philadelphia. In some cases, stormwater runoff is conveyed towards surface vegetated practices through pipes, trench drain channels, and curb cuts viadirect inflow points. While diverting runoff from combined storm sewers is desirable to avoid combined sewer overflows, designing the proper inflow stabilization has been challenging. Field observations of installed practices have shown excessive scour and erosion as well as sediment transport even in areas where armored stabilization exists. While standardized methods exist for designing inflow stabilization for regions with larger drainage areas and inflows, these methods do not easily scale down to typical GSI practices with much smaller DAs and inflows. Properly designing mitigation techniques for energy dissipation and sediment deposition (such as forebays) has become challenging. As more GSI is designed and installed in Philadelphia, a standardized method for design of energy dissipation devices and forebays is necessary. Field observations, critical design parameters, suggested designs, and possible methods of analysis will be presented along with actionable steps towards an empirically standardized methodology.

33. Paying for rain: a brief history of stormwater utilities inthe United States

Across the United States, approximately 1,500 local governments in 40 states have enacted ordinances establishing stormwater utilities since the mid-1970s. The invention and sustained spread of these local institutional innovations signal an enduring and consequential shift in the American federalist system of government vis-à-vis paradigms of environmental protection, public finance, and intergovernmental relations.

A stormwater utility is an institutional arrangement enacted by agovernmental entity – typically a municipality, county, or special regional district in the United States – used to fund theoperation, maintenance, and capital improvement of stormwater infrastructure. Although stormwater utilities come in many forms, a user fee system comprises the primary component of most stormwater utilities; just as drinking water utilities charge user fees for collection, treatment, and distribution services, stormwater utilities charge user fees for stormwater conveyance, sometimes treatment, and other stormwater services. Stormwater utility fee system designs vary from utility to utility, but the most common constructions calculate a fee based on the areal extent of impervious surfaces on a parcel of real property withinthe utility jurisdiction. The areal extent of impervious surfaces on a parcel of real property serves to estimate the amount of hydrologic runoff generated from that parcel as rain falls, or snow and ice melts, which – in turn and in theory – approximates demands placed on stormwater infrastructure and services. Some stormwater utilities vary or tier rates by customer class (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial). Revenues generated by stormwater utilities are usually used to fund the operation, maintenance, and capital improvement of stormwater systems, although revenue use also varies among utilities and can include funding activities such as flood mitigation, water quality protection, and administrating regulatory programs. In some jurisdictions, stormwater utilitiesare also combined with customer assistance programs, rebates, grants, credit programs, and – in at least one instance – a credit trading program.

My presentation will present a brief history of stormwater utilities in the United States since their emergence in the 1970sin the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West to the present. This presentation will be particularly informative and useful for attendees of the 2015 VUSP PA Stormwater Management Symposium because stormwater utilities – although long-established and widespread among local government in other states – are relatively new to Pennsylvania (excepting Philadelphia), following passage of state Senate Bill 351 in 2013, which clarified Pennsylvania municipal code to explicitly enable the creation of stormwater utilities (a.k.a. stormwater authorities).This presentation will draw on my ongoing dissertation research into the emergence, diffusion, and form of stormwater utilities across the United States over the last 40 years. I expect my presentation will assist citizens, municipal engineers, local elected officials, and other practitioners of local and regional governance better understand, design, and debate stormwater utilities in their own jurisdictions.

34. Rainfall interception by street vegetation: from initial abstraction to constant loss function

Numerous experimental studies have revealed that rainwater intercepted by vegetation is not only stored by the canopy but also being evaporated during storms. However major H&H modeling suites lump intercepted depth into initial abstraction.

For two years of we have conducted a field experiment with four shrub species: Prunus laurocerasus, Cornus sericea, Itea virginica and Hydrangeaquercifolia. The obtained data showed significant differences in interception properties among all four species, except between Cornus and Itea. Cumulative interception loss for the periods of August-December was 10% for Cornus, 15% for Itea, 25% for Hydrangea, and 45% for Prunus. Throughfall and precipitation intensities (mm/hr) expressed very strong linear relationship forthe entire range of observed rainfall intensities. The observations suggest that reduction of throughfall intensity by the canopy during a rainstorm determines the bulk of interceptiondepth. In contrast, the amount of water stored on the canopy and

evaporated between and after rain events contributes minimally tointerception.Further work has to be done to identify the main drivers of intrastorm evaporative losses and canopy traits responsible for species interception abilities, and make a step toward recognizing interception as a constant loss function.

35. Using MapShed Model for Christina Basin TMDL Implementation and Water Quality Restoration

The MapShed watershed pollutant loading model has been customizedfor the Christina Basin, PA, to simulate sediment and nutrient loadings. The model has been calibrated using local water qualityand hydrology data and uses 35 subbasins consistent with USEPA TMDLs for the Christina Basin (Brandywine Creek, Red Clay Creek and White Clay Creek).

The Christina MapShed model is being used to assess the effect ofland use change on nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loads from 1995 to 2012, the effect of installed BMPs, and the effect of BMPimplementation scenarios necessary to achieve TMDL reductions. The results will guide municipal and water quality restoration implementation efforts in the Basin. Pollutant source analyses for 2012 for the basin identified the primary sources of sedimentas urban-caused streambank erosion and agriculture, and the primary sources of nitrogen and phosphorus as agriculture and point source discharges. Primary sources of pollulant loads, however, varied across sub-basins. The model found that a significant number of ponds, wetlands and other filtering features in the watershed attenuates high loading rates from “hotspots” resulting in lower than expected loads at the watershed outlet. PA DEP provided technical and funding support for the Christina MapShed model.

36. Regional Green Infrastructure: Planning and Analysis In Philadelphia

As more and more municipalities across the country look towards implementing green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to realize itsmany benefits, many struggle to overcome the potential constructability, maintenance, and economic challenges of a distributed, localized network of GSI. This paper will discuss how regional GSI facilities may be able to cost effectively overcome some of these challenges and how the potential for implementing regional GSI in public spaces can be evaluated.

As part the City of Philadelphia’s landmark Green City, Clean Waters program which plans to implement green stormwater infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff from nearly 10,000 acres of impervious area in the City, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has begun to evaluate large public spaces (e.g.,parks, school fields, recreation centers, and vacant areas) as potential sites for regional GSI systems. A detailed planning and engineering process has been developed and applied to a number of sites demonstrating the potential feasibility and cost effectiveness of these regional systems. The process involved the use of modern geographic information system (GIS) tools to develop surface flow networks that guided the initial layout of potential separate storm sewer networks. Individual pipe runs were then screened segment by segment based on potential utility conflicts and efficiency metrics related to the drainage area captured and the number of required inlet connections per unit length of pipe. Detailed cost estimates were then developed for the higher ranking alternatives allowing for direct cost efficiency comparisons between different pipe runs and even amongthe pipe segments within individual runs. Potential cost saving measures including the use of alternative pipe materials, reuse of existing inlets, and integration with other capital improvement projects (water/sewer replacements, street repaving,

etc.) were evaluated. The costs of the regional systems and the potential areas captured were also compared to the results of a detailed evaluation of distributed green infrastructure opportunities in the neighborhood surrounding two of the public parks. The results showed that regional systems had the potential to cost-effectively compliment, and in some areas replace, distributed green infrastructure systems.

37. Integrating Green Infrastructure with Public Works Projects to Reduce Combined Sewer Overflows And Stormwater Runoff In Lancaster City, Pa

The City of Lancaster comprises approximately 7.4 square miles, including 248 acres of publicly-owned parks and playgrounds, 125 miles of streets and 27 miles of alleys. The City is heavily paved with impervious surfaces and approximately 45% of the City is served by combined sewers. The City is required to reduce thefrequency and volume of combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The city is also in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and subject to significant pollutant load reductions required by the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) issued by EPA. The City has developed an integrated approach to meet these challenges through the use of green infrastructure (GI) and is achieving cost savings by integrating stormwater reduction projects as part of its core public works practices.

The presentation will provide a review of the City’s GI program and key approaches to saving costs by integrating GI into public works processes. Case study projects will be highlighted from the over 50 projects built since the City’s GI Plan was completedin April 2011. The case studies provide cost effective approaches to integrate GI with other urban renewal and infrastructure needs.

Key lessons learned in cost savings approaches will be shared including City parks restoration projects that manage stormwater from adjacent roads and right-of-way condition assessment approaches to identify opportunities to create green streets. The City’s landmark Public Private Partnership (P3) program has also developed effective methods to leverage Pennvest, innovativecontracting vehicles, and Stormwater Management Fee credit and incentive programs to accelerate GI implementation on private property. The City’s GI program and P3 are considered statewide models and have received broad endorsement.

PWD Session: An Overview of Philadelphia’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Program

1. Philadelphia’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Program

The Philadelphia Water Department’s (PWD) Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Group (GSIMN) oversees the inspection,operation and maintenance of PWD’s current and forthcoming green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects. Along with overseeing and tracking inspection and maintenance activities, GSIMN also has active roles in both the design and construction of the City's GSI and to further optimize maximum performance of the City's GSI, GSIMN works in close collaboration with the Green Infrastructure Monitoring Group (GSIM) to ensure PWD's GSI maintains an optimal level of function.

GSIMN’s routine inspection and maintenance regime is divided intofive key components which are the maintenance of surface features, subsurface features, aesthetic maintenance, porous surface maintenance and routine inspections in both wet and dry weather. Maintenance protocols for each component have been established over the course last several years and have been

recently formalized in PWD’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Manual. An overview of GSIMN’s program development and maintenance protocols as well as examples of common challenges encountered in the field during maintenance will be presented.

2. Tools in Strategic Asset Management Of Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Within the last decade, the implementation of Green Stormwater Infrastructure practices has been a primary focus in Low Impact Development (LID) and stormwater management research. Many of these programs are justified on the premise that costs associatedwith Green Stormwater Infrastructure implementation and maintenance are lower than that of traditional grey infrastructure and that such practices provide additional positive externalities such as environmental and social benefits to the community. However despite this justification, research associated with green infrastructure operation and maintenance costs is sporadic and remains poorly understood. Cost has been found to vary widely according to design and locality as requirements for management of existing infrastructure is often defined by the local governing body. The Philadelphia Water Department’s (PWD) Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance (GSIMN) team is currently developing tools to understand the long-term O&M cost of Green Infrastructure in Philadelphia using strategic asset management plan. The components of asset tracking aid in defining the sustainable level of service required of each asset and the associated cost, improve efficiency and accountability in maintenance practices, and understand the current state of existing assets. PWD is utilizinggeospatial analysis tools (e.g. ArcGIS), public asset management software (e.g., CityWorks) and infrastructure inspection tools (e.g., WinCan) to integrate Green Stormwater Infrastructure data management and improve program efficiency to effectively manage the long term cost of Green Infrastructure Maintenance.

3. An Overview of the Philadelphia Water Department’s Green Stromwater Infrastructure Inspection Program

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) is an integral component ofthe Philadelphia Water Department’s (PWD) “Green City, Clean Waters” program. GSI practices can range from small stone infiltration trenches to large-scale rain gardens and basins. These types of systems, often comprised of vegetated areas, are reliant on regular maintenance activities in order to remain functional and efficiently manage stormwater. In addition to regular maintenance, visual surface inspections are an important tool in ensuring the functionality of our GSI systems. These visual and qualitative assessments identify potential issues before they become costly repairs or impact the operation and efficiency of the GSI systems. This presentation will highlight key componentsof PWD’s GSI inspection program and provide insight on both standard operating protocols and how regular inspections can be adriver for preventative maintenance and an early indicator of utility impacts.

4. Review of Vegetation Survivorship and Species Selection For Green Stormwater Infrastructure Systems

As part of the ”Green City, Clean Waters” plan, Philadelphia has installed and maintained over 400 green stormwater infrastructure(GSI) systems including rain gardens, swales, tree trenches, bump-outs and planters. Vegetation is a key component of GSI withregard to reducing stormwater runoff volumes and sediment loadingto the receiving waterbodies, as well as providing ancillary economic, social and environmental benefits (i.e., triple bottom line-TBL) to communities. Selecting plant species for GSI environments can be challenging; plants must survive exposure to urban pollutants, varying water levels, limited growing media, and damages by vandalism and vehicles. Over the past year, Philadelphia has studied survivorship rates of tree, shrub, and

perennial species in green stormwater infrastructure systems throughout Philadelphia ranging in age from to 1-8 years. This presentation will review the study’s findings and review the resulting recommendations for plant selection.

5. An overview of the Philadelphia water department’s subsurface green stormwater infrastructure inspection and maintenance program

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has constructed and now maintains over 400 green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) project sites as part of the “Green City, Clean Waters” initiative. Subsurfacefeatures- which include inlets, piping, control structures, and crate storage systems are integral components of effective conveyance and infiltration of stormwater runoff. While some PWD GSI systems solely capture surface flow, many more are complex underground systems optimized for a dense urban environment. These systems present unique maintenance challenges, however overthe last several years PWD has been developing and strengthening its subsurface inspection and asset management program to better track the lifecycle of its underground features from design through operation. More recently, the program has expanded to include the routine maintenance, surface restoration, and snow treatment of seven varieties of permeable pavement. This presentation will focus on routine and non-routine maintenance practices of subsurface and porous pavement features.

6. Philadelphia Water’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure AestheticMaintenance Program and Partnership with Powercorps_PHL

Philadelphia Water’s Green City, Clean Waters, a 25-year plan to manage stormwater runoff with innovative green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), requires an effective maintenance program for long-term safety, sustainability and functionality of GSI systems. Approximately 400 individual GSI projects are currentlymaintained by Philadelphia Water; with hundreds more anticipated

to be installed in the upcoming years; through contractors, community groups and partner organizations. One partner organization working with Philadelphia Water’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance (GSIMN) Group is PowerCorpsPHL (PowerCorps). PowerCorps not only provides valuable support to GSIMN and Philadelphia Water, but also provides ancillary advantages associated with the triple-bottom-line benefits of Green City, Clean Waters.

PowerCorps is an AmeriCorps program in partnership with the City of Philadelphia supporting environmental stewardship, youth violence prevention and workforce development. PowerCorps membersare comprised of at-risk 18 to 26-year-olds, and the program entails a 6-month AmeriCorps program, with intensive transition support for upon graduation. PowerCorps participants work with City departments in a variety of positions tackling pressing environmental challenges including improved stormwater management. Members receive in class and in field training and use this professional development to secure meaningful work and become civically engaged members of society.

In early 2014, GSIMN created and implemented the PowerCorps GSI Aesthetic Maintenance Program (Aesthetic Maintenance Program) to support Philadelphia Water in keeping GSI sites aesthetically pleasing and functioning properly. Each PowerCorps team working within the Aesthetic Maintenance Program consists of a crew leader and a cohort of interns. GSIMN works closely with the PowerCorps crew, creating work orders and scheduling for GSI maintenance activities. The routine scope of work for the Aesthetic Maintenance Program consists of trash, debris and sediment removal, tree and vegetation maintenance, and site condition reporting. GSIMN staff provides guidance and oversight in GSI system maintenance, as well as assisting with developing professional skills associated with logistics, documentation, site investigation and work zone safety. From April 2014 to April

2015, PowerCorps members collected over 40 tons of materials fromGSI sites across the City through the Aesthetic Maintenance Program. In addition, 6 program graduates have found employment in the GSI maintenance industry and the program has received continued support and recognition from both the City and its partners. This presentation will focus on the first year findingsand future growth of the PowerCorps program as it pertains to Philadelphia Water’s Green City, Clean Waters program and GSI maintenance.