Courtesy of DEP
Bioswales are one example of green infrastructure practices that help promote the natural movement of water.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The Department of Environmental Protection this week updated borough leadership on its Green Infrastructure Program and efforts to develop Long Term Control Plans to protect the water quality of Jamaica Bay against stormwater runoff.
In 2012, the State Department of Environmental Conservation and DEP signed an agreement to reduce combined sewer overflows using a hybrid green and gray infrastructure approach. As part of the agreement, DEP will develop 10 waterbody-specific LTCPs plus one citywide LTCP to reduce CSOs and improve water quality in the city’s waterbodies and waterways. Jamaica Bay is one of the 10 LTCPs.
According to DEP, during the third quarter of 2016, planning, design and construction work continued in three Green Infrastructure Program initiatives:
- Ongoing area-wide GI contracts design and build thousands of Right-of-way Bioswales, Right-of-way Rain Gardens and Stormwater Greenstreets. Design and construction contracts are being implemented in multiple phases.
- Ongoing siting, design and construction of public property retrofits in coordination with City agency and non-profit partners.
Bioswales are currently being installed in many Queens communities. Bioswales are planted areas in sidewalks that collect the stormwater that runs off sidewalks and along curbs. Uncollected runoff can flow into local waterways like Jamaica Bay and undermine their water quality.
