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STORMWATER GUIDANCE

Introduction to E&LP's Stormwater Strategy

At E&LP, we define Green Infrastructure as sustainable and resilient stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) that use or mimic the natural hydrologic cycle. Our integrated team of engineers, landscape architects, and planners deploy these BMPs strategically on the projects we work on to capture, filter, infiltrate, and reuse stormwater. Simultaneously, we look for opportunities to combine these systems with public programs and amenities like sports fields, trail systems, play areas, dog parks, and streetscapes. This multiplicity of use that we weave into our design work allows us to maximize the value that our projects offer to the clients we work with. We are able to deliver infrastructure improvements while simultaneously improving public spaces for the communities they serve.

Stormwater Guidance Videos

On March 2, 2021, new stormwater regulations will be effective in New Jersey. These regulations will transform the way private and public sites are designed throughout the state and introduce a new era of green infrastructure. E&LP is here to help developers, municipalities, and property owners adapt to the new rules.

The new stormwater regulations will provide a number of benefits to developers. Under the new rule, developers can reduce project review times, save money on construction costs, increase project yield, and improve property values. E&LP can help developers understand how to best approach projects under the new rule and realize these benefits.

As New Jersey adopts regulations that support the use of green infrastructure systems, many may ask what “green infrastructure” means. Green infrastructure systems are vegetative practices that imitate the natural hydrologic cycle through filtration and infiltration. These will largely replace traditional gray infrastructure systems, including typical detention basins, concrete low flow channels, and precast manufactured treatment devices. E&LP explains how these systems differ and what benefits are gained by using green infrastructure versus gray infrastructure.

Municipalities gain a variety of benefits by incorporating green infrastructure into their public amenities, such as parks with rain gardens, streetscapes with curb bumpouts, and ball fields with stormwater retention systems underneath. Moreover, beautifying the community with stormwater meets the triple bottom line of environmental benefits that provide pollinator habitats and cool down areas, community benefits that create more recreational spaces and improve public health, and economic benefits that increase property values and attract more people to businesses.

Under the current rule, developments in New Jersey typically include large, centralized “end of pipe” stormwater infrastructure. Under the new rule, these designs will shift to include smaller, decentralized green infrastructure systems. E&LP can help developers navigate this new framework for maximum benefit.

As climate change creates harsher conditions and more frequent storm events, land development must adapt to become more resilient. Green infrastructure creates climate resiliency with durable plant systems that mitigate increased flooding and alleviate the heat island effect. Proper planning with green infrastructure can create unique and exciting spaces that can be enjoyed in good weather and relied upon when large storms hit.

"Shaping Public Space through Resiliency" Webinar at 2020 DesignPhiladelphia Festival

Watch our one-hour webinar, “Shaping Public Space through Resiliency,” which is a multimedia presentation featuring E&LP resiliency, stormwater, and green infrastructure videos and slides delivered by E&LP’s Senior Program Manager of Resiliency, Ed Confair, PLA, PE, and Project Engineer, Megan Schmidt. Learn about resilient, sustainable, and effective stormwater management techniques that enhance social and ecological spaces while exceeding the increasing regulatory standards.

Stormwater Guidance Resources 

New Jersey Future Webinar

On May 28th, E&LP’s Ed Confair, Senior Program Manager of Resiliency, and three other experts participated in a webinar about the updated New Jersey Stormwater Rules that were adopted in March. These changes require green infrastructure practices, and you can learn all about compliance with the new rules through this recording of the webinar on the updated Developers Green Infrastructure Guide 2.0.

Watch the New Jersey Future Free Webinar Here

New Jersey Future and New Jersey Builders Association Green Infrastructure Guide

What exactly is the new requirement? What do developers and design professionals need to know?

Download the New Jersey Developers Green Infrastructure Guide 2.0 Here

Stormwater Management for Communities

Information about stormwater management for communities.

New Jersey Future’s Stormwater Utility Resource Center

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