Overall Rating Platinum
Overall Score 86.83
Liaison Mark Lichtenstein
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2023

STARS v2.2

State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
OP-22: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Sue Fassler
Sustainable Facilities Manager
Facilities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Which of the following best describes the institution’s approach to rainwater management?:
Comprehensive policies, plans or guidelines that require LID practices for all new projects

A brief description of the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices:
Two formal ESF policies comprehensively address green infrastructure and low impact development (LID) and cover the entire campus and apply to all new construction, major renovation, and development projects.

"Erosion & Sedimentation Control Policy"
https://www.esf.edu/employees/policies/sustainability/policy-erosion-sedimentation-control.php

"Low-Impact Site and Green Building Exterior Management Plan"
https://www.esf.edu/employees/policies/sustainability/policies-green-sustainable-campus.php

ESF's LID policy "encourages management practices relative to campus and building grounds, site and building exteriors that have the lowest environmental impact possible and preserve ecological integrity, enhances diversity and protects 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.

ESF also followed SUNY Construction Fund Directive 1B-7 (https://sucf.suny.edu/sites/default/files/docs/1B-7.pdf) and strives for the highest LEED rating possible for all new construction and major renovation projects, including green infrastructure components.

ESF has addressed the quality and volume of storm water runoff by implementing several green infrastructure projects under these guidelines including the following:

Marshall Hall, now under major renovation and slated for completion during summer 2023, will include bioretention basins, rain gardens, porous pavers, native/pollinator friendly vegetation, storm water retention in two parking lots, and educational aspects to inform visitors about the green infrastructure features. Funding awarded from Onondaga County's Save the Rain Green Improvement Fund was used in part to fund project landscaping.

Gateway Center features an award winning green roof, ground level plantings, and street trees designed to manage storm water flow and empty into a large bioretention basin.

Illick Hall roof drains into a rain garden at the southeast end of the building.

Rainwater from Baker Lab is collected and reused to wash fleet vehicles.

Walters Hall has a green roof. Plants include wild chives, stonecrop species, and prairie fame flower.

Block D /Parking Lot 22 Site Improvement Project substantially 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. 40+ trees were planted around the Block D parking lot during the Fall of 2020.

The Bray Hall parking lot is about 1/2 acre of paved area, of which 50% is pervious pavement and the entire lot is served by a large underground storm retention system and a bioswale.

A copy of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines:
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines that supports the responses above:
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.

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.