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2024 EWRI Congress

Stormwater Symposium (UWRRC)

Ecosystem Services and Co-Benefit Evaluation

469 - Framework for Connecting Simplified Methods of Environmental Co-benefits Estimation with Specified Design Criteria and Future Plans for Validation and Depository of Empirical Results

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM CT
Room: Ballroom B
The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) has developed in partnership with York Region and the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP), a framework that connects simplified methods of environmental co-benefits estimation with design criteria. Preferred methods based on past low impact development (LID) applied research efforts have been selected for stormwater temperature reduction, carbon sequestration, and urban biodiversity benefits estimation. The framework developed suggests the benefits should be achieved if the recommended impervious drainage area to pervious (I:P) ratio for the various LID features are satisfied. If any modifications to the I:P ratio for certain features are required in a design, appropriate adjustments to the estimation ranges would be made. Examples of the framework applied will be included in this presentation with a few LID case studies that outline recommendations for site specific adjustments for estimation, based on LID design opportunities and constraints. This emerging stormwater management topic is still requiring future monitoring validation efforts to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed framework and make further modifications. Performance monitoring approaches for each environmental co-benefit including plans for restoration projects that will explore field validation efforts will also be discussed. Also, STEP’s continued plans to support this emerging topic will be highlighted, including a landing page on the STEP LID Wiki guide and the development of an environmental co-benefits database housing acceptable applied research study results.