Title
Regional Stormwater Roadway Retrofit Study
Recommended Action
Briefing Only
Report
Issue:
Receive a briefing from the Thurston Regional Planning Council on the Stormwater Roadway Retrofit Study and geospatial stormwater management prioritization tool.
Staff Contact:
Kym Foley, Senior Environmental Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.570.3957
Presenters:
Paul Brewster, Senior Planner, Thurston Regional Planning Council
Kym Foley, Senior Environmental Planner
Background and Analysis:
The Thurston Regional Planning Council is collaborating with stormwater staff from the Cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Thurston County to develop a county-wide stormwater management planning and prioritization tool. The final product will synthesize geospatial data into a comprehensive but user-friendly mapping platform that analyzes pollutant loading from roadways, land use and feasibility considerations, and ecological priority of receiving waters.
The goal of this project is to better prepare local jurisdictions in the South Puget Sound region for planning and prioritizing impactful, cost-effective roadway and regional stormwater treatment projects. The prioritization framework resulting from this project will use existing data that can be updated over time to help regional stormwater staff identify roadway pollution hotspots, ensure projects are integrated with local salmon and ecosystem recovery priorities, and develop future treatment projects to minimize the amount of harmful toxins that enter the waters of Puget Sound in the near and long term. In addition, the project will allow jurisdictions to reflect on how retrofits are handled in existing permitting and development processes, and identify potential areas for improvement that will better achieve a range of community and environmental benefits. Stormwater runoff does not adhere to local jurisdictional boundaries, therefore taking a watershed-based regional approach allows for broader collaboration and prioritization to implement solutions in the highest priority areas.
Climate Analysis:
This geospatial prioritization model will look at land use and available space where opportunity exists to build green stormwater infrastructure. This includes water quality and flood control mechanisms like bioswales, rain gardens, engineered wetlands, and street trees. When strategically located in the right of way, green infrastructure functions to not only slow and filter roadway runoff, but also cool water temperatures and provide shade in otherwise urban environments. Increasing research shows a correlation between green stormwater infrastructure and the reduction of urban heat islands, and Utility staff intend to use the Stormwater Roadway Prioritization Tool to identify locations to optimize these climate-related outcomes.
Equity Analysis:
While the stormwater management prioritization model itself does not incorporate an equity parameter, a primary intent of the tool is to increase the Storm and Surface Water Utility's service equity and environmental justice outcomes. A data-driven model that analyzes existing land use, transportation, and environmental conditions will help the Utility make more equitable decisions regarding where to invest limited resources. Historically, many public utilities throughout the country relied heavily on calls from the public to identify needs and opportunities - these calls typically come from well-resourced community members with the capacity and know-how to engage with the system. The prioritization model is one of several objective tools the Utility may use in tandem to ensure investments in water quality, flood control, and green stormwater infrastructure are serving the City equitably.
Financial Impact:
This project was funded in full by a National Estuary Program grant, allocated by the Puget Sound Partnership and WA Department of Ecology. The Thurston Regional Planning Council is the grant administrator. Enhancing the Utility's prioritization toolkit is expected to optimize how we identify and plan for impactful, cost effective capital projects. The use of data-driven technology will allow the Utility to reallocate staff time and resources to address other, growing requirements of the NPDES Stormwater Permit. Further discussion will address future web or data hosting of the tool kit, and cost-effective options are being considered by the City's IT team and project partners.
Attachments:
N/A