Guidance: use GI where rules require it; fact‑sheet offers a three‑question reviewer checklist

Lisa Schaefer explained the purpose of the Green Infrastructure (GI) fact sheet and how it is intended to help reviewers determine whether proposed BMPs meet the rule requirement that groundwater recharge, water quality and runoff quantity standards be met using GI.

She summarized the three yes/no questions the fact sheet uses as a rubric: do the proposed BMPs manage runoff close to its source; are GI BMPs dispersed throughout the site (not clustered off to one corner); and do each GI BMP’s contributory drainage areas fall below the limits listed in the rules. Lisa walked through site examples (redevelopment site with distributed stormwater islands and permeable pavement; and non‑compliant clusters of GI BMPs far from main runoff sources) to show how the checklist applies in practice.

The fact sheet re‑stated that table 1 GI BMPs are preferred to meet design and performance standards, that table 2 BMPs may be used with waivers/variances for some standards, and that table 3 devices are non‑GI and will require waivers if used to meet the performance standards. Lisa encouraged reviewers to use the fact sheet as a rubric and to check contributory drainage areas, proximity to sources and whether GI BMPs function individually for water‑quality and recharge storms.

Why it matters: the rules require GI where practicable; correct GI placement and dispersion affect whether projects meet water‑quality, recharge and quantity standards without waivers, and also provide co‑benefits such as reduced heat‑island effect and improved aesthetics.