Green Infrastructure NYC Stormwater Initiatives for Private Properties nyc.gov/greeninfrastructure What is Green Infrastructure? Green infrastructure techniques are cost-effective, sustainable strategies that manage stormwater where it falls, through natural processes such as infiltration and evapotranspiration. Why is NYC implementing it? New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is leading the New York City Green Infrastructure Program, a multi-agency investment to improve water quality and distribute the co-benefits that come along with green infrastructure across the city. This program aligns with other citywide greening initiatives, such as Local Laws No. 92 and 94 of 2019, which require certain roof installations and replacements to include solar or green roofs. Together these programs seek to strengthen the community’s resilience to climate change and improve New York Harbor’s water quality. Available Financial Resources DEP and others are providing financial incentives for installing green infrastructure, or stormwater source controls, on private property in New York City. • Green Infrastructure Grant Program provides funding for green roof retrofits with 5,000 SF or more of planted area. • Green Roof Tax Abatement provides a one-time property tax abatement for properties that have green roofs. • Private Incentive Retrofit Program aims to retrofit properties 50,000 square feet or larger with green infrastructure through a contractor incentive. • NYS DEC Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) supports projects across New York State that utilize unique stormwater infrastructure design and create cutting-edge green technologies. 2 Benefits Green infrastructure provides numerous benefits to local property owners and the broader NYC community, including: Financial benefits Æ Reduced energy costs Æ Reduced potable water needs Æ City-promoted publicity Improves stormwater management Æ Reduces impervious cover Æ Filters pollutants Æ Reduces flooding and ponding on paved surfaces Æ Supports regulatory compliance— can help meet SPDES permit-required Best Management Practices (BMPs) Æ Enhances resiliency Improves health and well-being Æ Improves water quality Æ Improves aesthetics Æ Decreases noise pollution Community environmental benefits Æ Reduces air pollutants Æ Increases biodiversity Æ Reduces urban heat island effects 3