All Does green infrastructure qualify me for any tax abatements or tax savings?
Will using green infrastructure on my projects increase my costs to meet building codes?
If designed thoughtfully, green infrastructure should not affect your ability to meet building codes. In most cases, green infrastructure can be sited far enough away from the building to avoid any potential concerns about infiltrating near foundations, etc. In the case of green roofs, these are most commonly integrated as part of the overall building… Read More »
Will a green roof cost more because of its structure?
Green roof cost will depend on the type of roof and the amount of weight associated with the type of system designed. A new building can be designed to support this additional weight. For existing buildings, a structural engineer should be consulted to ensure the rooftop is able to support the additional load. In many… Read More »
Does green infrastructure cost more?
Green infrastructure practices often are more cost-effective than traditional gray infrastructure. Integrating green infrastructure into development projects can reduce costs by decreasing the amount of underground drainage piping and structures needed to manage stormwater, which reduces construction costs. Green infrastructure can also reduce operations and maintenance costs associated with development properties. For example, a green… Read More »
How do I discourage geese from populating the green infrastructure on my site?
Geese can be both a nuisance and a destructive force on green infrastructure. Young vegetation is particularly attractive to geese. There are several methods for repelling geese that should be considered in the design process. The most natural and effective is the use of vegetative buffers. Buffers should include tall grasses around the perimeter of… Read More »
Where do I find more information on maintenance for green infrastructure?
Various resources exist to guide contractors, developers, and maintenance crews in maintaining green insfrastructure. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection provides sample maintenance plans for Best Management Practices outlined in this guide. Additional online resources include the Philadelphia Water Department’s “Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Manual, Version 2.0.” The manual provides descriptions of routine maintenance… Read More »
Will a green roof work in winter?
Green roofs are still able to perform in cold weather, although not necessarily at the same level of effectiveness as during warm seasons. The soil in green roofs is porous and remains pervious when frozen. Consequently, rainfall as well as snow that melts during freeze-thaw cycles can still be stored, although the water will not… Read More »
How well does pervious pavement work? Is it durable?
The key difference between conventional concrete and asphalt pavements compared to pervious pavements is that the smallest stone particles, or fines, are left out of the pervious pavement mixture. This leaves small voids that allow water to infiltrate through the pavement. However, these pore spaces do slightly reduce the durability of the pavement in comparison… Read More »
Will road salt kill the plants in green infrastructure practices?
Green infrastructure practices, especially those located next to streets or sidewalks, should be designed with plants that are salt tolerant. They are also designed with well-drained soil that helps flush salt through the soil more rapidly and reduce high concentrations that negatively affect plants. Thus, road salt rarely kills the plants, although it can cause… Read More »
Since it collects water, does green infrastructure also breed mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are one of the most common concerns that citizens tend to raise about green infrastructure, but this concern is addressed by standard design requirements. Green infrastructure practices are designed to drain within 72 hours or less, which will prevent colonization of mosquitoes that take about 72 hours to develop into their adult stage. Rain… Read More »
Do all rain gardens look weedy and overgrown?
Rain gardens can be planted to look naturalistic, like a meadow, or they can be maintained with a more formal garden appearance. The plants and landscape design that are chosen will determine the appearance. If you think your customers would prefer a garden-like aesthetic over a meadow, simply communicate this need to the landscape architect… Read More »
Does green infrastructure require more maintenance?
No. A common misconception about green infrastructure is that it requires significantly more maintenance than traditional gray infrastructure or traditional landscape maintenance. This is not the case. Maintenance tasks are usually routine and can be done by the property owner or traditional landscape maintenance crew. Additional education may be needed for landscape crews unfamiliar with… Read More »
Where do I find more specific information about meeting the new requirements?
The full text of the rules as adopted on March 2, 2020, along with a set of Frequently Asked Questions can be found on NJDEP’s website (njstormwater.org). The website also includes revised or new chapters of the BMP Manual (Chapters 5, 12 and 13) and a revised model ordinance (Appendix D) to provide detailed information… Read More »
Will green infrastructure help me qualify for LEED certification?
Yes. The LEED rating system offers up to four points toward certification for managing rainwater on site. Points are awarded based on the percentile of regional or local rainfall events that are managed using green infrastructure. For example, managing rainfall in the 80th percentile is worth one point, while the 95th percentile is worth four… Read More »
Does my town have the same requirements as the new NJDEP rules?
In addition to incorporating NJDEP stormwater rule standards and requirements into local ordinances, municipalities have the option to impose higher standards on non-residential projects than those set forth in N.J.A.C. 7:8. For instance, some municipalities define a “major development” with a smaller area of disturbance than the NJDEP’s one-acre standard. Thus, a project that is… Read More »
When do these regulations come into effect?
The NJDEP released the rule change into the state register on March 2, 2020. A one-year implementation period allows municipalities, developers, engineers, contractors, and other affected parties to adopt these rules into their policies, practices, and in the case of municipalities, their ordinances. On March 2, 2021, the rules will be in full effect, and… Read More »
Where can I learn more about green infrastructure options to consider for my next project?
NJDEP’s Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual offers thorough guidance on all facets of stormwater management planning, design, and compliance. In addition, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) has created the Rutgers Green Infrastructure Guidance Manual in which the different types and benefits of green infrastructure practices are described. The Rutgers manual can be found here: Green… Read More »
How do I know if my team has the right skills?
While general knowledge of grading and landscapes is important for all contractors, many construction teams lack the knowledge and experience to successfully build green infrastructure. Stormwater management designs are site-specific. Green infrastructure design can have even more specificity due to soil media and plants associated with the system. Not all contractors are prepared to construct… Read More »
What is green infrastructure?
Green infrastructure is an approach to managing stormwater that is modeled on natural processes and systems. The NJDEP defines green infrastructure as a stormwater management measure that manages stormwater close to its source by: Treating stormwater runoff through infiltration into subsoil; Treating stormwater runoff through filtration by vegetation or soil; or Storing stormwater runoff for… Read More »
The Developers Green Infrastructure Guide 2.0 breaks down New Jersey’s Stormwater Rule amendments and helps developers and decision-makers understand more clearly green infrastructure options and advantages, compare alternatives, evaluate costs and benefits.
The Developers Green Infrastructure Guide 2.0 is brought to you by the Developers Green Infrastructure Task Force, a partnership between New Jersey Future and the New Jersey Builders Association.
The Task Force gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the William Penn Foundation, which made this project possible.
