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Projects Updates for Green Infrastructure

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  1. State of Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities Notice of Funding Opportunity Released

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure

    Greetings Everyone,

     

    I am very pleased to announce that the FFY2024 Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities have been posted!

     

    Here’s a link to the news release:  https://epa.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/epa/about-us/documents/news-releases/2023/07.26.23-IEPA-GIGO-NOFO-Final.pdf

     

    Please plan accordingly, as all applications are due by noon on October 18, 2023.  Illinois EPA will be hosting a technical assistance session specific to these NOFOs on August 15 at 1:30.  It’s not required, but it may be of help, especially with the new application process.

     

    Please see the news release for additional details and links directly to the GATA Portal.

     

    Regards,

     

    Jeff Edstrom

    ------------------------------

    Hi Quinn,

    Please look into the funding opportunity below and let us know the short version.  I’d like to know timelines for the applications, funding level possible to request, and what type of projects could we seek funding for.

    Thanks,

    Morgan

    -----------------------------

    Hi Morgan,

     

    The submission close date is 10/18/23 at 12:00 pm.

     

    Funding Level:

    “GIGO utilizes funds distributed by the State of Illinois generated under the Build Illinois Bond Fund. Illinois EPA expects to award a total of $10,000,000 and anticipates distributing this amount across four (4) to twenty (20) awards. GIGO has a set maximum total grant award of $2,500,000 with a minimum grant award of $75,000. No more than 25% of the program total, per funding cycle, shall be allocated to any one applicant or project. GIGO is a reimbursement program. The grantee must perform the work, pay project costs, and submit an invoice with supporting documentation before Illinois EPA will reimburse the grantee for any approved eligible costs. Illinois EPA shall only make reimbursements to the grantee and shall reimburse the grantee no more frequently than monthly.”

     

    Projects that qualify for funding:

    Bio infiltration

    Retention/Infiltration

    Detention Pond Creation/Retrofit

    Wetland Creation/Modification

    Floodplain Reconnection

    Watershed-Wide Projects

    Rainwater Harvesting

    Downspout Disconnections

    BMP Design and Construction

     

    Here is the link for the information and details.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Quinn M. Connolly

  3. Coordinating Community Stormwater Management with Extension and Student Assistance

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Green Infrastructure
    City of Champaign Plans
    Rainwater Management Plans
    Support Regional Sustainability

    January 11, 2023

     

    A University team consisting of Brodie Dunn and Lisa Merrifield (Extension), Linda Derhak (DURP student), and Stacy Gloss met with Lacey Rains Lowe and Jeff Marino from the City of Champaign to talk about working together to coordinate rainwater management efforts. Champaign sees a gap in resources for commercial developers related to innovative stormwater management applications. The team identified stormwater utility fee incentives as a possible leverage point for developers, but current incentives do not seem to be sufficient. Linda will begin to inventory cities with stormwater utility fees for innovative practices for engaging commercial developers. Brodie will propose revisions to the approved plant and tree list for Champaign to encourage use of native and more beneficial non-native plant species. Lisa will reach out to planners from Urbana and Savoy and will schedule a meeting for mid-February to discuss progress and identify next steps.

  4. Rubber Blades for Snow Plows

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure

    From: Prasad, Sarthak <sprasad9 at illinois.edu>
    Sent: Monday, August 29, 2022 9:58 AM
    To: White, Morgan <mbwhite at illinois.edu>; DeLorenzo, Stacey <sdeloren at illinois.edu>; Klein, Bradley Dean <bradklei at illinois.edu>; Welch, Ryan <rbwelch at illinois.edu>; Lewis, Brent C <bcl at illinois.edu>
    Cc: Patterson, Shawn L <spttrsn at illinois.edu>
    Subject: Rubber blades for snow plows

     

    Hi Morgan,

     

    I had a phone call with Shawn earlier today and asked him if Transportation have rubber blades for snow plows. Shawn said that he has the rubber blades that they use for parking decks. Shawn said that he would like to be included in this conversation, so I am cc’ing him here as well. Thank you,

    Sarthak  

     

    Sarthak Prasad

    Sustainable Transportation Assistant

    Facilities & Services

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Phone: 217-300-9575

    Email: sprasad9 at illinois.edu

     

  5. Low-Carbon Concrete Information

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure

    The production of concrete is responsible for 8% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The articles below detail research about a low carbon concrete formula which reduces the carbon footprint by 40%. UIUC Professors, including Professor Lav Varshney and Professor Nishant Garg, have been involved in the development of this technology.

    https://www.npr.org/2022/05/18/1099680622/can-a-new-concrete-mixture-hel...

    https://theconstructionbroadsheet.com/meta-sees-success-with-lowcarbon-c...

    https://csl.illinois.edu/news/46838

     

  6. Residence Hall Research Site Email

    Associated Project(s): 
    Obtain and Publicize Water Data
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Green Infrastructure

    Below is an email sent by Dr. Edwin Herricks to Morgan White regarding a research site to study stormwater mitigation designs.

     

    Morgan,

     

    You may not know, but some time ago I led a project to create a research site on the parking lot across from the residence halls to study parking lot stormwater mitigation designs.  Of importance we installed a weir for a gauging capability for the lot discharge.  Unfortunately, the U did not proceed with the lot improvements so the weir simply sits.

     

    Art Schmidt is aware of this and over the years I have encouraged him to take advantage of the infrastructure. 

     

    Hopefully if you know about this capability you may find some use for it.

     

    Ed

  7. Weekly Resiliency Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Green Infrastructure
    Urban Biodiversity Master Plan
    Design for America
    Environmental Justice Plan

    Present: Meredith Moore, Morgan White, and Stacy Gloss

    Gloss reported on the following:

    • Green Infrastructure Mapping: Lisa Merrifield met with Illinois EPA and partners at the end of March to discuss the mapping project. Meetings will be held with NCSA soon about feasibility and next steps.
    • Gloss notified Lisa Merrifield that she is available to help with Biodiversity Plan
    • DFA advising on-going. Their upcoming presentation is April 27 on E-waste in Siebel Center for Design
    • Final report from Ann Witmer's capstone course is expected: A student consulting team is developing a report on renewable energy technologies that can be adopted through a campus local-offset program
    • Gloss and Moore will present  to GEEB on April 26 on environmental justice

    Discussed:

    • SSC semesterly reporting requirement for NGICP training is due July 1; Gloss will email campus NGICP participants.
    • Sustainability Clinic recommendation meeting next steps;
    • Working to understand Extension's role in environmental concerns / environmental justice.  White, Gloss, and Moore will work to meet with Shibu Kar as an introduction between the Resilience Team and Extension on iCAP resilience goals, environmental justice planning, and support for programs like a sustainability clinic

    Tasks (Gloss):

    • Help with agenda for next resilience team meeting & update the gantt chart for meeting resilience goals
    • Attend next Land & Water team meeting if available (related to potential campus master plan for rainwater management & relationship to/with community coordinated rainwater master plan)
    • Attend the iWG meeting as resilience team rep for Environmental Justice iCAP recommendation

     

  8. Transaction Receipt for Community Education at Parkland College

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure

    From: Community Education at Parkland College <communityeducation@parkland.edu>
    Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 12:46 PM
    To: Moore, Meredith Kaye <mkm0078 at illinois.edu>
    Subject: Transaction Receipt for Community Education at Parkland College

     

    Transaction Receipt
    Community Education at Parkland College

    1315 North Mattis Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821
    Phone: 217-351-2235 Email: communityeducation@parkland.edu

     

    		    

    Transaction Date

    01/19/2022  

    Transaction ID

    24739

     

    		    

     

    		    

    Registration ID
    Course/Class Number
    Student Name (ID)



    Class Name/Date(s)/Time/Item  



    Amount

    31700
    WBT-906 /12889
    Moore, Meredith (28667)

    National Green Infrastructure Certification Program ONLINE
    Multiple Schedule

    Schedule Information:

    Dates

    Class Days

    Times

    Location

    Instructor(s)

    2/15/2022-3/11/2022

    Weekly - Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon

    12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

    *, Virtual Classroom  , Room: CobraLearning

     Instructor : Multiple Instructor :
     3.Heidi Leuszler  1.Carolyn (Eliana) Brown 

     

    2/17/2022-3/10/2022

    Weekly - Thu

    11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

    *, Virtual Classroom  , Room: CobraLearning

     Instructor : Multiple Instructor :
     4.Heidi Leuszler  2.Carolyn (Eliana) Brown 

     
    		 
     

    Class Cost

    $399.00

     

    Early Registration Disc Discount

    ($100.00)

    Transaction Amount

    		 

    $299.00

    Payment Method

    Credit card Mastercard No. xxxxxxxxxxxx6852
    (Ref: 108473)

    $299.00

         

    Tax ID #

    37-0892090

      

  10. Invitation to work in LA537-Fall, 2021 Final Presentation" folder on Box

    Associated Project(s): 
    Independent Student Projects
    Green Infrastructure

    From: Jie Hu <noreply@box.com>
    Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2021 11:12 AM
    To: White, Morgan
    Subject: Jie Hu has invited you to work together in "LA537-Fall, 2021 Final Presentation" folder on Box


    Jie Hu wants to work with you on LA537-Fall, 2021 Final Presentation


    "I'd like to share my files with you on Box."

     

    Attached Files: 

  11. LA537 Final Presentation

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure
    Independent Student Projects

    From: Hu, Jie
    Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2021 11:27 AM
    To: Hays, David Lyle; Ruggles, D Fairchild; Sullivan, William C; White, Morgan; McGuire, Mary Patricia
    Subject: LA537 final presentation materials

    Dear All,


    Thanks for Dede, Bill and Morgan to be juries and participant to LA 537 final presentation, and thanks for all of you comments and suggestions!
    After the presentation, students has revised their final submission materials. I have put all of their final works here in the box. I hope you can give more comments, suggestions and ideas to help me further improve my studio teaching.


    Thank you for all of your support and help!


    Enjoy your winter break! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
    Jie

  13. Compiled Campus Rain Work Data

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure

    Brent Lewis compiled the following to offer insight into (1) Campus Storm Peak Runoff, (2) Existing Green Infrastructures, and (3) Turf Lawn Irrigation information for campus.

    List of Permeable Paver Installations on Campus:

    Nugent/Ikenberry Complex

     

    Permeable concrete paving and pavers

    Electrical & Computer Engineering

     

    Permeable paver service area & East plaza

    Siebel Center for Design

     

    Permeable paver service area

    Bookstore (MCORE P4)

     

    Permeable paver sidewalks

    ISR

     

    Permeable paver sidewalks

    Hydrosystems / Newmark  

     

    Permeable pavers

    Alma Mater

     

    Permeable pavers

    Henry Administration

     

    Permeable pavers

    Swanlund / John St. 

     

    Permeable pavers

    Japan House Bike Parking

     

    Permeable pavers

    Altgeld Hall (future-2026)

     

    Permeable pavers

    Illini Hall (future-2024)

     

    Permeable pavers

    Coordinated Science Lab (future fall 2021-spring 2022)

     

    Permeable pavers

    State Farm Center

     

    Permeable pavers in the NE parking lot.  (NW lot in planning)

     

     

    List of Underground Retention Facilities & Detention Ponds (On and Off-Campus):

    Football Performance Center

    just south of building 1540, west of Fourth Street and north of Kirby Avenue

    Underground retention

    Ikenberry Commons

    between buildings 0084, 1248, 0079, and 0080

    Underground retention

    IGB

    just west of 1080, at roughly the northwest corner of Gregory Drive and Goodwin Avenue (just east of "Mathews Avenue extended")

    Underground retention

    Siebel Center for Design

    east of 1517, between Fourth Street and Sixth Street, and Peabody and Gregory

    Underground retention

    Stadium Soccer Fields

    northwest corner of Stadium Drive and First Street

    Underground retention

    Siebel Center

    -

    Underground retention

    Noyes

    -

    Underground retention

    Bielfeldt Detention Pond

    west of 0379 against Fourth St in the circle drive

    Detention pond

    Windsor Road Detention Basin

    southwest corner Windsor and First St.

    Detention pond

    South Research Park Detention Pond

    southwest corner St. Mary's and Oak St.

    Detention pond

     

    List of Irrigation Efforts On Campus:

    • We have irrigated fields for both Athletics and Campus Rec. 
    • Athletics’ Bielfeldt and Ubben areas are irrigated
    • The Research Park also has irrigation out there.    
    • The arboretum has irrigation, mainly at the Hartley Garden
    • The President’s House is irrigated
    • The Main Quad is irrigated, as well as the Bardeen Quad and North Quad
    • Beckman Institute is irrigated
    • The landscaped area around the Hallene Gateway is irrigated

  14. Meeting on Coordinated Rainwater Management Plans

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Green Infrastructure

    Green Infrastructure Initial Meeting 9/29/2021 9:00 am

    Present: Brent Lewis, Betsy Liggett, Stacy Gloss

    ABOUT

    • 8.2 [F&S w/Extension] Coordinate rainwater management plans for the entire urbanized areas of Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, and the university. Starting in FY21, share the total number of green infrastructure locations on the iCAP Portal on an annual basis.
      • Initiate discussions about development of rainwater plan
      • Compile green infrastructure locations in Champaign, Urbana and Savoy.
        • Deliverable: iCAP Portal map of known green infrastructure locations by 3/15/22
      • Propose a process and scope for developing the coordinated rainwater plan
        • Deliverable: white paper describing process and scope

    NOTES

    Introductions: Betsy works for F&S in safety and compliance, manages stormwater permit MS4. Brent is campus Landscape Architect

    Topics discussed: Campus MS4 water permit, EPA compliance. Sustainability items are built into MS4 permit now.  Compliance & Sustainability are coinciding.   Regarding Campus Green Infrastructure – challenges to adopting green projects, especially when they are viewed in terms of costs but not benefits

    Existing resources: 

    • University has mapped watersheds;
    • A Landscape Master Plan in progress, will contain some elements of green infrastructure, but is not a utilities plan for Stormwater;
    • Champaign County Stormwater Partnership for MS4 permit (includes leaders from the County, Urbana, Savoy, Champaign, Champaign Township, EPA, Soil & Water Conservation District, Prairie Rivers sometimes)
    • Extension has been involved in previous discussions about rainwater plans, Eliana Brown and Lisa Merrifield
    • Urbana is working on a Stormwater Master Plan (Tim Cowan, public works director is the contact)

    Green Infrastructure Maps on Portal currently:

    Next Steps

    • Stacy attend Oct 20 green infrastructure & erosion control conference   
    • Follow up with meeting Oct 25
    • Garner support for Campus Stormwater Master Plan
    • Contact Julie Cidell about GreenMap

  16. Updated list of sustainability projects that need YOU!!!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Independent Student Projects
    Tree Campus Higher Education
    ENG 177 GFX Global Sustainability Scholars
    NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors
    Green Infrastructure
    EPA SmartWay Affiliate
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Compost at National Soybean Research Center (NSRC) [ARCHIVED]
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)

    This is a list of projects that need students to work on.  It will be updated periodically by sustainability staff members, the last update was 8/30/21:

    • The campus MS4 stormwater permit currently has 49 Best Management Practices (BMPs) that have to be completed annually https://fs.illinois.edu/services/safety-and-compliance/about-the-program . One of the 49 BMPs is a Public Education and Outreach requirement to broadcast or publish one stormwater Public Service Announcement (PSA) on social media, radio, television and/or internet. We currently have a couple on our website and would like to keep it up to date with new materials whenever possible.  https://fs.illinois.edu/services/safety-and-compliance/about-the-program/events-and-outreach. Another opportunity is for a Public Participation and Involvement BMP to discuss and provide opportunity for public input on the Storm Water Program (permit BMPs), climate change and environmental justice topics. This could be met by webinars, PSAs, posters, etc. Contact is Betsy Liggett.
    • Develop informational messaging about SmartWay, get more UIUC departments aware of the program, and coordinate a related student event.  Contact Morgan White at mbwhite at illinois.edu.
    • Support the Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation (CCDCF) Board with their county-wide efforts for conservation and design.
    • Conduct a campus poll (fall semester 2021) regarding the Top 10 most iconic/significant/impressive trees on campus (including the arboretum). Develop an online survey tool (i.e., an online poll) whereby students and campus employees can nominate their favorite campus trees. Upon conclusion of the survey, work with Jay Hayek to tabulate and rank the results and create a publicly viewable ArcGIS Online StoryMap showcasing campuses Top Ten Trees. Prepare a presentation of results for the annual Arbor Day Celebration. Contact Jay Hayek at jhayek at illinois.edu.
    • Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: Illini Union.
    • Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: Huff Hall.
    • Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: ECE Building.
    • Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: Armory.
    • Follow through with Facility Liaisons for implementation of recommendations from NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors class: Bevier Hall.
    • CCNet Website: Work with the Champaign County Sustainability Network (CCNet) leadership team to redesign and publish the CCNet website (old version is online at http://www.champaigncountynet.org/). There is a monthly brown bag sustainability networking event on the Third Thursday of each month, but the website hasn't been updated since 2016. Contact Morgan White at mbwhite at illinois.edu.
    • We are seeking a student volunteer who can do tree identification for a series of trees in the Arboretum, and work with the University Landscape Architect, Brent Lewis, and the Superintendent of Grounds, Ryan Welch, to compare the tree identification to the draft tree inventory. Contact Morgan White at mbwhite at illinois.edu.
    • Work on outlining sustainable initiatives that DIA can take in support of the Green Sports Alliance. Contact Meredith Moore, mkm0078 at llinois.edu.
    • Help iSEE develop a Sustainability Literacy Assessment. Contact Meredith Moore, mkm007 at illinois.edu. 
    • Help identify and develop opportunities for intersecting sustainability and the arts (sustainability murals, utility box artwork, etc.). Contact Meredith Moore, mkm0078 at illinois.edu. 
    • Develop permanent posters for the Solar Farm 2.0, to guide tour participants at the site. Contact Morgan White at mbwhite at illinois.edu.
    • Help iSEE work with Student Sustainability Committee grant to expand small scale campus composting. Contact Meredith Moore at mkm0078 at illinois.edu.
    • If you have a project idea, please contact us at sustainability@illinois.edu, or submit it through the iCAP Portal Suggestions page.

  17. Current Count of Green Infrastructure

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure

    From: White, Morgan <mbwhite at illinois.edu>
    Sent: Friday, July 23, 2021 4:46 PM
    To: Lewis, Brent C <bcl at illinois.edu>; Liggett, Betsy Jo <bliggett at illinois.edu>
    Cc: Moore, Meredith Kaye <mkm0078 at illinois.edu>
    Subject: current count of green infrastructure

     

    Hi Brent and Betsy,

     

    In the Green Infrastructure Project list at \\Fandsu360\Sustainability\iCAP Projects\04 Land and Water Projects\Green Infrastructure Project List, I count 39 GSI installations constructed on campus (skipping the one Rain Barrel location).

     

    Do you concur that it is the right number for our annual count in the iCAP Portal metrics?

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan 

     

    ======================================

    MORGAN B. WHITE
    Associate Director of F&S for Sustainability

     

    Facilities & Services | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    1501 S Oak Street (MC-800) | Champaign, IL 61820
    217.333.2668 | mbwhite at illinois.edu
    fs.illinois.edu/services/sustainability

    https://webtools.illinois.edu/webservices/js/ds/signature_logo.png

     

    The response to this email concluded that the current count of green infrastructure is accurate as the list was recently updated. 

  20. F&S staff met with WEF Design Team leaders

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Environment Federation (WEF)
    Green Infrastructure

    Xinyu Teng and Ryan Moeller met with F&S sustainable water experts to discuss potential projects for the WEF design challenge this coming spring.  

     

     

    Colleen Ruhter, P.E. provided the following resources following the meeting. 

     

    Thanks everyone for chatting today.

    Here are some great resources for you to look at to get some ideas for stormwater retrofits.

     

    https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/streetscape_elements_san_francisco.pdf

    https://artfulrainwaterdesign.psu.edu/about

    https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Grey-to-Green-ROW-Road-Right-Of-Way.pdf

    https://www.flowstobay.org/documents/municipalities/sustainable%20streets/San%20Mateo%20Guidebook.pdf

     

    The MD. Dept of the Env. (MDE) has some really good resources for calculating pollution removal based off of their standard design criteria.  If you guys decide you want to look into pollutant removal rates, I can help with that (as much as I can remember from the 7+ years ago that I worked in MD, anyway).

     

    If you’re looking for more straightforward quantification (such as volume treated), that should be easier to calculate. 

     

    Please let me know how I can help any further. 

     

    Thanks,

    ~Colleen

     

    COLLEEN RUHTER, P.E.
    Coordinator, Special Programs

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