Green Infrastructure Master Plan

 LOCATION: Chattanooga, Tennessee

 KEY PERSONNEL:

• Jason Brooks
• Jim Albert
• Tara Mallison

 DATES: 2012-2014

  COST: $325,000

 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

• EPA Consent Decree
• Reduced Impervious Area
• Green Elements
• GIS Analysis

We led the team to develop and recommend a green infrastructure master plan for the City of Chattanooga to complement traditional “gray” infrastructure, namely man-made sewer and stormwater structures, with sustainable green alternatives as part of a $250 million EPA Consent Decree.
We were tasked with developing green infrastructure controls, a comprehensive land use policy, green infrastructure community assistance, and implementation schedules. This plan aims to enhance both green and gray initiatives already in place in Chattanooga’s public works and water resources departments. By using green infrastructure as part of the overall solution, the City of Chattanooga can reduce the operating, maintenance, and capital improvement costs of collecting and treating stormwater. The Green Infrastructure Master Plan will further Chattanooga’s mission to achieve 100 percent compliance with the federal and state  clean water laws by improving water quality infrastructure to address existing or anticipated problems.
The comprehensive green infrastructure plan will complement the use of traditional gray infrastructure, such as storm drains, sewer systems, and storage facilitates with green alternatives including:

• Rain Gardens
• Green Roofs
• Permeable Pavement
• Stormwater Harvesting & Reuse
• Bio-retention
• Native Landscaping

We carefully considered multiple aspects including social, economic, and environmental factors in recommending the best plan of action to improve Chattanooga’s existing systems. This included modeling, intensive GIS analysis, coordination with City departments, and feasibility analysis.
LDA Engineering partnered with subcontractor Gresham, Smith and Partners, a multi-disciplinary design and consulting firm, on the project.