Politics & Government

New at DEP: The Green Infrastructure Plan

The plan was released in September

We all know the Gowanus is polluted. It's a federal Superfund site. Local groups are . And now the city is also getting in on some of the action.

The city's Department of Environmental Protection just launched a new program in September: The NYC Green Infrastructure Plan. The goals of the plan were presented last night at the Environmental Protection Committee Meeting.

The new plan was created to deal with combined sewer overflows (CSOs). When it rains, a mix of sewage and stormwater run off gets into bodies of water, creating a dangerous health hazard. The city's plan involves implementing both "green" and "grey" (or more traditional) infrastructure initiatives at 13 sites, including the Gowanus Canal, said Margot Walker, Director of Green Infrastructure Partnerships at the city DEP.

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"Green" initiatives include swales, tree beds and green roofs to collect water and "gray" initiatives include more traditional infrastructure such as improved sewers. Walker called this two-pronged plan a "sustainable hybrid approach."

"The goal is to manage storm water on 10 percent of the impervious surface in the city," she said.

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The DEP projects that the plan will reduce CSO volumes from approximately 30 billion gallons a year in 20 years.

The Green Infrastructure Plan is funded through DEP's Capital Budget at $187 million through 2015 and is waiting for approval from the State Department of Environmental Conservation for further funds, said DEP spokesperson Farrell Sklerov.

The DEP green team will work with the community and existing projects to achieve their goals. New schools and housing developments will be looked at as chances for green roof installation, for example, and Walker said they were working with the Parks Department to find opportunities as well.

One group working with the DEP is the Stormwater Infrastructure Matters (S.W.I.M.) Coalition, a citywide group dedicated to achieving "swimmable, fishable waterways." A representative from the coalition, Kate Zidar, also spoke at the committee meeting last night.

Members of the community and board were encouraged by the plan, but had some concerns.

Pauline Blake asked whether already existing community gardens would be approached and coordinated with.

"We are interested in working with established community gardens," said Walker. "They are an asset to us."

Celia Cacace asked whether the businesses that line the Gowanus would be brought into the conversation, and Walker assured her they would be.

The community is asked to give input and become involved. A citizen's group will take shape in the next couple of weeks and a public meeting is being held at Pace University on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m.


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