State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
OP-23: Rainwater Management

Two formal ESF policies comprehensively address green infrastructure and LID and cover the entire campus and apply to all new construction, major renovation, and development projects: 1) "Erosion & Sedimentation Control Policy" http://www.esf.edu/au/documents/ErosionSedimentationControlPolicy.pdf 2) "Low-Impact Site and Green Building Exterior Management Plan" http://www.esf.edu/au/documents/GreenBuildingPolicies.pdf ESF has addressed the quality and volume of stormwater runoff by implementing several green infrastructure projects including: bioretension basins that capture surface water runoff from buildings roofs and roadways, two vegetated green roofs, porous pavement on sidewalks, and vegetative swales. In addition, the design work for new building projects on campus incorporates rain gardens and a green roof to minimize stormwater exiting the site. Rainwater from one of the academic buildings--Baker Hall--is used to wash Facilities equipment. ESF has a green roof on Walters Hall. Plants include wild chives, stonecrop species, and prairie fame flower. The College also has a very unique vegetated roof on the Gateway Building, which utilizes plants native to Upstate New York (http://www.esf.edu/sustainability/action/greenroof.htm). Flexi-Pave made from recycled tires and stone is located on the path to Moon Library, under the bike racks near Illick Hall, next to Marshall Hall’s bike racks, and in all the parking areas in a new parking lot on campus (http://www.esf.edu/sustainability/action/flexipave.htm). ESF's LID policy "encourage management practices relative to campus and building grounds, site and building exteriors that have the lowest environmental impact possible and preserve ecological integrity, enhance diversity and protect wildlife while supporting building performance and integration into surrounding landscapes." It covers Maintenance equipment, native plant species, pest control, landscape waste, irrigation management, fertilizer use, snow removal, cleaning of building exteriors, paints and sealants, and replacement materials for building exteriors.

The College has an Erosion and Sedimentation Administrative Policy which requires a storm water protection plan for all construction projects, ensures compliance with the City of Syracuse Municipal Stormwater Ordinance, and commits the College to a long-term maintenance agreement for all permanent stormwater quality and quantity measures.

In 2017, the College's "Block D Site Improvement Project" was substantially completed and accepted. The project included the creation of 90 paved parking spots on the east half of the site and a similar number of gravel parking spots on the west half of the site. Rainwater from the entire 1.3 acre site is directed to an underground stormwater detention system which includes a bioswale. In 2012 the campus built a new parking lot near Bray hall, which in total is about 1/2 an acre of paved area, of that paved area 50% is pervious pavement. The parking area is also served by a large underground storm retention system and a bioswale.