Green Infrastructure Operation and Maintenance Summit

Date/Time: 
Thursday, February 27, 2020 - 9:00am to 4:00pm
Location: 
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Over 100 people attended the summit to learn about and discuss the operation and maintenance (O&M) of green infrastructure in the Lake Champlain basin.  Here are some key concepts discussed at the Summit.

  • Studies confirm that regular maintenance of GSI practices can dramatically improve their long-term ability to retain nutrients and pollutants

  • Certain types of GSI can be a source of phosphorus; phosphorus-sorbing materials are showing promise

  • Nature will find its own path.  Don't be afraid to let it grow! Encourage natural growth instead of a more manicured look but make it clear that it is intentional 

  • Visual appeal may be just as important as functionality in ensuring the longevity of the system, especially in certain locations.

  • Develop and widely use software and/or apps to field-assess the condition of GSI projects.  Analyze data to identify patterns in maintenance practices and site conditions

Links to speaker presentations are in the agenda below. 

Description of the Event

From municipal roads to green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to the restoration of natural systems, asset management and ensuring long-term performance will receive more attention in the near future.

For example,

  • How will Vermont’s recently-passed Clean Water Service Delivery Act of 2019 (Act 76) influence how infrastructure is maintained?
  • How do we move toward workforce development in an emerging maintenance contractor industry?
  • What “maintenance-friendly strategies” could be used in the design and construction phases?
  • How might we balance the regulatory aspects of maintenance requirements with engendering a culture of caretaking and stewardship?

At the Summit, we covered a variety of important topics and discussed ideas on what’s working, what’s needed, what would be cool to do, and how best to move forward on various fronts. One outcome of the Summit was to hear from you on what kinds of training would be helpful in the coming months and years.

Agenda

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM                 Registration

9:00 AM – 9:05 AM                 Welcome

9:05 AM – 9:30 AM                 Water Quality Updates and Act 76 and Q&A

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM               Short presentations

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM              Short presentations                   

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM                Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM                  Short presentations

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM                  Break

2:30 PM – 3:45 PM                  Short presentations

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM                  Next steps and closing remarks  


Participant List:

 

Job Title

Company

1

Sr. Design Engineer

Contech Engineered Solutions

2

President

Meliora Design

3

Environmental Analyst

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources  (VT ANR)

4

Senior Planner

Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission  (CCRPC)

5

PhD Student

University of Vermont

6

Senior Stormwater Management Engineer

Vermont Agency of Transportation  (VTrans)

7

Watershed Scientist

Fitzgerald Environmental

8

Public Works Director

City of Newport

9

Clean Water Initiative Program Manager

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

10

Grant Manager

Northwest Regional Planning Commission

11

Director of Engineering

State of Vermont DEC

12

Environmental Analyst

State of Vermont DEC

13

Senior Engineer

Engineering Ventures

14

Program Coordinator

ECO AmeriCorps

15

Executive Director

Friends of the Winooski River

16

Landscape Architect

VTrans

17

Town Administrator

Town of New Haven

18

Stormwater tech

VTrans

19

Environmental Analyst

The Lake Champlain Basin Program

20

ECO AmeriCorps Member

Friends of Northern Lake Champlain

21

Nonpoint Source Coordinator

State of Vermont DEC

22

Green Infrastructure Outreach

Lake Champlain Sea Grant

23

Stormwater Coordinator

Town of Essex

24

Senior Water Quality Specialist

Stone Environmental

25

Director

Lamoille County Natural Resource Conservation District

26

Project Coordinator

Friends of Northern Lake Champlain

27

Senior GIS Planner

Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission

28

Extension Assistant Professor

University of Vermont

29

Deputy Director of Public Works

City of South Burlington

30

Director

Blue Certification Program

31

Environmental Engineer

TCE

32

Stormwater Coordinator

Town of Williston

33

Director of Compliance

Chittenden Solid Wast District (CSWD)

34

Sales Representative

ADS

35

Urban & Community Forestry Tech Assistance Coord

Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation

36

Lake Champlain Grants Manager

State of Vermont DEC

37

Project Manager

Stantec

38

Education and Outreach Coordinator

Lake Champlain Committee

39

Researcher, Ecological Landscape Designer

Greenleaf Design, LLC

40

Stormwater tech

VTrans

41

Outreach and Education Coordinator

Community Sailing Center

42

Regional Planner

Northwest Regional Planning Commission

43

Environmental Engineer

Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc.

44

Stormwater tech

VTrans

45

Stormwater tech

VTrans

46

Program Manager

Lewis Creek Association

47

Director Public Works Operations

Town of Middlebury

48

Senior Water Resources Engineer

Stone Environmental, Inc.

49

Parks regional facilities manager

Vermont State Parks

50

ECO AmeriCorps Member

Vermont Land Trust

51

Assistant Water Quality Program Coordinator

Northwest Regional Planning Commission

52

Lead Project Engineer, Water Resources

Milone & MacBroom

53

Selectboard member

Town of Hinesburg

54

ECO AmeriCorps Member

Mississquoi River Basin Association

55

Public Works Director

Town of Essex

56

Stormwater Coordinator/Wastewater Operator

Village of Essex Junction

57

Compliance Specialist

Chittenden Solid Waste District

58

Executive Director

Friends of the Mad River

59

Engineer

VT Agency of Transportation

60

Lake George Waterkeeper

The FUND for Lake George

61

Project Engineer

Dufresne Group

62

Senior Planner

Rutland Regional Planning Commission

63

Manager

VT Agency of Transportation

64

LU Planning & Water Quality Educator

Lake Champlain Sea Grant

65

PhD Student

Dartmouth College

66

Analyst/Biologist

VTDEC

67

District Manager

Winooski NRCD

68

Stormwater tech

VTrans

69

Water Quality Superintendent

Town of Shelburne

70

Environmental Analyst

State of Vermont DEC

71

Graduate Student Plant & Soil Science

University of Vermont

72

Executive Director

White River Partnership

73

Graduate Assistant

University of Vermont

74

Director of Planning & Development

City of St. Albans

75

Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager

Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation

76

Outreach and Communications Specialist

ECO AmeriCorps

77

Outreach Coordinator

Friends of the Mad River

78

Owner

Roofterra

79

Stormwater Program Coordinator

City of Burlington

80

Director of Science & Water Programs

Lake Champlain Committee

81

Water Quality Programs Manager

Vermont Association of Conservation Districts / Natural Resource Conservation Districts

82

Office and Production Coordinator

CSWD: Green Mountain Compost

83

Stormwater Consultant

Contech Engineered Solutions

84

Assistant Director

Lake Champlain Sea Grant

85

Water Quality Specialist

Watershed Consulting Associates LLC

86

Program Manager

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources

87

Research Assistant Professor

University of Vermont

88

Director of Public Works Planning

Town of Middlebury

89

Regional Facility Manager

Vermont State Parks

90

Research Coordinator

Lake Champlain Sea Grant

91

Environmental Analyst

State of Vermont, DEC - WSMD

92

Environmental Analyst

State of Vermont, DEC - Watershed Management Division

93

ECO AmeriCorps Member

State of Vermont DEC

94

Water Quality Planner

Addison County Regional Planning Commission

95

Student Intern

University of Vermont

96

Student Intern

University of Vermont

97

Student Intern

University of Vermont

98

Student Intern

University of Vermont

99

Student Intern

University of Vermont

100

Student Intern

University of Vermont

 

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.