“The most obvious change for stormwater professionals in LEED 2012 is that the credits for Stormwater Management in previous versions – separate credits for stormwater quality and quantity – have been combined into a single Rainwater Management credit within the Sustainable Sites category,” writes Janice Kaspersen.
Released in November 2009, ‘Water Balance Model for Canada – The Plan for the Future’ is a comprehensive document that will guide tool enhancement over the next three years. “In Alberta, the Water for Life Strategy and Land Stewardship Act provide a framework for efforts that will help Alberta achieve a better balance between economic growth and environmental / social values,” stated Liliana Bozic. “Water for Life and the Land Stewardship Act promote sustainable use of water resources in Alberta.”
Peter MacDonagh (120p) – Deep Root
In his lecture, Peter MacDonagh illustrated the critical role of oxygen rich, moist soils protected by vegetation in urban environments, using a broad cross-section of supporting quantitative research in green infrastructure.
Rain to Resource Workshop – logo
While designs for such features would vary from the “wet” coast to the dry interior of B.C., the concept is basically the same. Not only do they capture rainwater, they are also more attractive than asphalt or concrete.
NYC Green Infrastructure Plan – cover (360p) – October 2010
The advantage of the green infrastructure approach is that it delivers the same degree of water retention as “grey,” but at a much lower price. When coupled with the traditional approach, it will allow the city to reduce sewer overflows into its waterways by 40% by 2030.
Cold water creek with marsh marigolds
Greenseams Program – Wisconsin
The program makes voluntary purchases of undeveloped, privately owned properties in areas expected to have major growth in the next 20 years and open space along streams, shorelines and wetlands.
According to Kevin Lagan, the dramatic change in site characteristics meant rainwater runoff had to be captured to maintain a before development hydrologic regime, if the project was to avoid downstream impacts.
NYC Green Infrastructure Plan – cover (360p) – October 2010
The city's hybrid gray and green strategy would invest $US2.4 billion over 20 years to comply with new regulations. A critical goal is to manage runoff from 10% of the impervious surfaces in combined seweer watersheds through detention and infiltration source controls.
“So many of us in local government are still searching for the magical ‘silver bullet’ that with the stroke of a pen will resolve all our watershed issues and challenges while at the same time stimulate economic activity and accommodate growth. Yet soil, vegetation and trees can do more for our watersheds than decades of planning, consulting and complicated engineering design will ever achieve," states Richard Boase.
Impaired soils function poorly as reservoirs and contribute to a host of urban dilemmas such as shallow root systems; excess artificial irrigation, and impeded groundwater recharge.
