The team ULI HQ and ULI Washington are collaborating with the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy & Environment(DOEE) to spread the word about the Stormwater Retention Credit (SRC) Trading and Stormwater Management Facility Self-Inspection and Self-Reporting (SISR) programs.

These programs work together to encourage construction and maintenance of green infrastructure (GI) both onsite and offsite. Sites that trigger the District’s stormwater regulations can manage stormwater through on- and off-site options. On-site interventions could include installation of GI like permeable pavement, bioretention areas, or green roofs.

For sites with characteristics that prevent installation of GI onsite, SRCs can be purchased from landowners with excess stormwater retention capacity. Landowners with GI and other stormwater management infrastructure can opt into the SISR program to ensure ongoing compliance with maintenance requirements. Together with the SISR program, the SRC program expands stormwater management options for large development and redevelopment projects.

A Civil Engineer’s Perspective: Leveraging Off-Site Green Infrastructure Features

Stormwater management is a critical component of large developments. Typically, it is the project’s civil engineer who takes the lead in compiling stormwater management options. At DC-based civil engineering firm, GordonDC, Managing Partner, Jessie Ponce de Leon, PE, is no stranger to the District’s stormwater management requirements.

Ponce de Leon knows that the process of attaining compliance with District stormwater requirements is not always straightforward, with each site presenting a unique challenge. Some projects afford engineers sufficient flexibility to install abundant GI elements that reduce stormwater runoff and protect local watersheds onsite while others demand more innovative solutions to meet regulatory requirements. This is where civil engineers that are knowledgeable about the District’s options for stormwater management can save their clients time and money.

From Ponce de Leon’s experience, the purchase of SRCs is becoming an increasingly common element of Stormwater Management Plans within the District. In one recent non-profit community education project in Southeast, SRCs proved to be the best alternative for a client working with tight deadlines and limited funds. In that case, “despite the client’s desire to implement sustainable infrastructure and practices, it was less labor-intensive and cheaper to implement the SRC program rather than to design and install green infrastructure,” says Ponce de Leon.

Additional Resources:

▶ Click here to view the previous case study, “The Long Reach of Stormwater Management”.
▶ Visit DOEE’s SRC and SISR websites for more information on how to sign up for the programs. And, stay tuned for insights and tips from more participants as new case studies are published throughout the summer.