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. – [email protected] 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