Southeast Michigan Council of Governments

Developing Regional Solutions

Leveraging Green Infrastructure Across Regional Plans: Water Resources, Transportation, Economic Development,

PedBike and Access to Core Services,

Developing Regional Solutions

Kelly Karll, P.E. – karll@semcog.org Stormwater Engineer, SEMCOG Plan Implementation

What is SEMCOG? • Association of local governments

– 170 units of local government » Transportation » Infrastructure (Water, Sewer,

Stormwater) » Environment (Water, Air, Solid

Waste) » Economic Development » Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning » Parks and Recreation » Regional Demographic

Forecasting

• Planning Coordination – Aligning local plans with

regional policies

• Funding Support – Guiding projects

through grant applications

• Data Sharing – Mapping and analysis

related to parks, accessibility, bike and pedestrian facilities, green infrastructure, etc.

• Transportation Planning

SEMCOG Activities

• 7 counties • 4,700 square miles • Population 4.7 Million • 44% Residential • 26% Agricultural • 15% Impervious • 30% Tree Canopy • 50% Open Space

Southeast Michigan Region

100,000 ACRES OF

INLAND LAKES, RIVERS, & STREAMS

Southeast Michigan has…

6 deep water ports

5 ferry services

Water Access

Public access to the Great Lakes should be available every 5 miles

throughout the state, and every 1 mile in

Southeast Michigan to support the region’s

large population.

(DNR Public Land Management Strategy & SEMCOG Green Infrastructure Vision)

Green Infrastructure Early Role

http://www.semcog.org/Green-Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure in SEMCOG Plans

Role of natural & constructed GI to achieve multiple outcomes

• Promoting economic development, water related business, innovation, technology, and jobs

• Supporting waterfront placemaking initiatives

• Increasing accessibility and recreation opportunities along the water

• Aligning infrastructure improvements

SEMCOG’s Plans for the Region

Water Resources Plan for Southeast Michigan

– Designated Water Quality Management Agency

– Task Force of 80 members – Integrated Policies and actions – Green Infrastructure in Water

Resources Plan » Natural Resources

• Watershed vs. Instream

» Infrastructure • Drinking Water • Wastewater • Stormwater • Transportation

» Blue Economy

Runoff Volume Stream Flashiness Benthic Diversity

Water Quality

• How much GI is needed to

work towards water quality standards?

• Land functions like 10 – 15% IC

Green Infrastructure Target Setting

• Community Assets • Quality of Place • Integrated

Approaches – Align Infrastructure

Improvements – GI for

Underutilized/Vacant Land

• Prioritize Opportunities

Economic Development : Partnering for Prosperity

Southeast Michigan’s Blue Economy

More than 350,000 jobs connected to water-dependent industries

Nearly 100,000 acres of inland lakes, rivers, and streams

527 miles of shoreline along the Great Lakes and connecting channels

414 miles of designated water trails

229 public beaches

167 paddling launches

6 deep water ports

5 passenger ferries

4 higher educational institutions with water research & technology programs

By the Numbers

95% Strongly

Agree

“I would like to see more…” “Parks have a positive impact on my quality of life.”

“I visit parks for…”

Hiking and biking trails

Parks that connect by trails

Parks near the water

Paddling launches

Parks near my home

Pulse of the Region Survey on Parks

Access to Core Services • 36 % of households are

within a 10-minute walk to a public park

• 7% of all houses are within a 30-minute transit ride to a large regional park

• Many high population areas are beyond a 10 minute drive to a large regional park, or a 10 minute walk to any park.

SEMCOG’s Plans for the Region

Access to Large Regional Parks in Southeast Michigan

Launching soon… Southeast Michigan’s Regional Recreation Inventory

• FHWA Ecological

Approach • Ecological

Priorities • Early Planning

Process • Strategic Cost

Savings • Early Permit

Agreements

Transportation & Environment

• Coastal Tributaries • Coastal Wetlands • Migratory Fish • Herpetofauna

Connectivity • Globally Rare

Natural Communities • Aerial Migrants

• Bioswales for roadway drainage • Identified wetland mitigation for 20-year

reconstruction • Bridge reconstruction to support water trails;

Culvert designs for fish & wildlife migration • Native plant relocation: 1,550 Sullivant’s Milkweed • Collaborative invasive species management • Early Cost Savings: $1 million • Next Steps: Regional Transportation Plan

I-75 Ecological Successes

Incorporate elements of complete streets and green

streets to holistically manage the transportation

system for all users and reduce conflicts between vehicles, transit, rail, and nonmotorized modes of

travel.

Green Infrastructure and Traffic Safety

.

Green Infrastructure & Traffic Safety

•Collaborative Approaches

•Green infrastructure as part of traffic calming techniques.

Transportation Alternatives

Program (TAP)

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

$5 Million $17 Million

Funding for Multiple Outcomes

• Extend or enhance regional bicycle & pedestrian networks / corridors / trails

• Improve pedestrian access to public spaces, core services, & quality of life amenities

• Utilize green infrastructure to improve the quality of our water, air, & wildlife

• Attract people to commercial areas & community amenities, such as downtowns, parks & civic centers

• Implement complete streets principles that accomplish multiple outcomes, including traffic calming, increased safety, & promoting pedestrian & bicycle travel

• Awarded over $9.2 million in TAP funding in FY 2018 Project funding for: – Pedestrian and bicycle safety – Historic preservation and rehabilitation of

transportation facilities – Environmental mitigation, such as green

infrastructure – Safe routes to school programs

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

Detroit- Joy Road Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure in SEMCOG Plans

Southeast Michigan Council of Governments