EnvisionTM and Indicators for Sustainable InfrastructureSustainable InfrastructureMinnesota Groundwater AssociationA il 22 2015April 22, 2015Kathryn Jones, PE, EnvSP

Overview of Envision

The EnvisionTM

Infrastructure Rating System

Water-Related Credits In EnvisionTM

Project Examples

Overview of Envision

CollaborationCollaborationCurrent rating systems for infrastructure in the U.S. are

t ifisector specificNo U.S. system covers all aspects of infrastructureEnvision is designed to fill the gap

ISI Founders (2010)

Envision is designed to fill the gap

( )

What Makes Envision Unique?

Applies to civil (horizontal) infrastructure

Unique?

Includes design, planning, construction and maintenance elementsApplicable at any point in an Applicable at any point in an infrastructure project's life cycleSpeaks to the triple bottom line: social,

i d i l leconomic and environmental goalsDesigned to keep pace with a changing concept of sustainabilityp y

Envision™ Helps Decision Makers:

Meet sustainability goalsEvaluate environmental benefits

Decision Makers:

Guide decisions about investment of resources amid competing demandsAddress community and environmental Address community and environmental priorities in civil infrastructure projectsAssess costs and benefits over a project’s expected lifecycleForces us to ask “Are we doing the right project?” not just “Will we do the right project? , not just Will we do the project right?”

Extends Project ReachHow Does Envision Improve Sustainability?

Extends Project ReachDrives Toward Restorative PerformanceConsiders Full Life Cycle of Considers Full Life-Cycle of Projects

EXTEND THE USEFULNESS OF THE PROJECT

Where Does Envision Apply?

Civil infrastructure that make up the built environment

Apply?

o Roadso Bridgeso Pipelineso Pipelineso Railwayso Airports

Do Damso Leveeso Landfillso Water treatment systems

Willamette Supply, Oregon

Agencies Using EnvisionCity of Austin City of Chicago

Port of Long BeachSan Diego Airport

Agencies Using Envision

City of DallasCity of EugeneCity of Holland, MI

Cape Cod Planning AuthorityCalifornia Water City of Holland, MI

City of MuncieCity of PortlandC t f L

Resources DepartmentMassachusetts

County of Los AngelesOregon APWA

Water Resources Authority

New York City DEP

Port of Long Beach Pier B Rail Yard, California, U.S.

Federal Agencies considering Envision

Department of EnergyDepartment of Defense

considering Envision

U.S. Army Corps of EngineersNational Park Service

EnvisionTM InfrastructureEnvision Infrastructure Rating System

creditscredits

categoriesg

1 PURPOSEQL1.1 Improve Community Quality of LifeQL1 2 Sti l t S t i bl G th d D l t

QUALITY OF LIFE QL1.2 Stimulate Sustainable Growth and Development

QL1.3 Develop Local Skills and Capabilities2 WELLBEING

OF LIFE

QL2.1 Enhance Public Health and SafetyQL2.2 Minimize Noise and VibrationQL2.3 Minimize Light PollutionQL2.4 Improve Community Mobility and AccessQL2.5 Encourage Alternative Modes of TransportationQL2.6 Improve Accessibility, Safety & Wayfinding3 COMMUNITYQL3.1 Preserve Historic and Cultural ResourcesQL3.2 Preserve Views and Local CharacterQQL3.3 Enhance Public SpaceQL0.0 Innovate or Exceed Credit Requirements

1 COLLABORATIONLD1.1 Provide Effective Leadership & CommitmentLD1 2 E t bli h S t i bilit M t S t

LEADERSHIPLD1.2 Establish a Sustainability Management SystemLD1.3 Foster Collaboration and TeamworkLD1.4 Provide for Stakeholder Involvement

2 MANAGEMENTLD2.1 Pursue By-Product Synergy OpportunitiesLD2.2 Improve Infrastructure Integration

3 PLANNINGLD3.1 Plan Long-Term Maintenance and MonitoringLD3.2 Address Conflicting Regulations and PoliciesLD3 3 Extend Useful LifeLD3.3 Extend Useful LifeLD0.0 Innovate or Exceed Credit Requirements

1 MATERIALSRA1.1 Reduce Net Embodied EnergyRA1 2 Support Sustainable Procurement Practices

RESOURCEALLOCATION RA1.2 Support Sustainable Procurement Practices

RA1.3 Use Recycled MaterialsRA1.4 Use Regional MaterialsRA1 5 Divert Waste from Landfills

ALLOCATION

RA1.5 Divert Waste from LandfillsRA1.6 Reduce Excavated Materials Taken Off SiteRA1.7 Provide for Deconstruction and Recycling2 ENERGY2 ENERGYRA2.1 Reduce Energy ConsumptionRA2.2 Use Renewable EnergyRA2.3 Commission and Monitor Energy Systems3 WATERRA3.1 Protect Fresh Water AvailabilityRA3.2 Reduce Potable Water ConsumptionRA3.3 Monitor Water SystemsRA0.0 Innovate or Exceed Credit Requirements

1 SITINGNW1.1 Preserve Prime HabitatNW1 2 Preserve Wetlands and Surface Water

NATURALWORLD NW1.2 Preserve Wetlands and Surface Water

NW1.3 Preserve Prime FarmlandNW1.4 Avoid Adverse GeologyNW1.5 Preserve Floodplain Functions

WORLD

pNW1.6 Avoid Unsuitable Development on Steep SlopesNW1.7 Preserve Greenfields2 LAND+WATERNW2.1 Manage StormwaterNW2.2 Reduce Pesticides and Fertilizer ImpactsNW2.3 Prevent Surface and Groundwater Contamination3 BIODIVERSITYNW3.1 Preserve Species BiodiversityNW3.2 Control Invasive SpeciesNW3 3 R t Di t b d S ilNW3.3 Restore Disturbed SoilsNW3.4 Maintain Wetland and Surface Water FunctionsNW0.0 Innovate or Exceed Credit Requirements

1 EMISSIONSCR1.1 Reduce Greenhouse Gas EmissionsCR1 2 R d Ai P ll t t E i i

CLIMATEAND RISK CR1.2 Reduce Air Pollutant Emissions

2 RESILIENCE

AND RISK

CR2.1 Assess Climate ThreatCR2.2 Avoid Traps and VulnerabilitiesCR2.3 Prepare For Long-Term AdaptabilityCR2.4 Prepare for Short-Term HazardsCR2.5 Manage Heat Island EffectsCR0.0 Innovate or Exceed Credit Requirementsq

Credit Levels of AchievementThe number of points earned in each credit depends on the Level of Achievement:

I d P f th t i b

Achievement

Improved: Performance that is above conventional Enhanced: Sustainable performance that is on the right track; indications that superior performance is in reach Superior: Sustainable performance that is noteworthy Conserving: Performance that has achieved essentially zero impact Restorative: Performance that restores natural or social systems

Sample Credit

Sample Credit

Verification Process

1. Project Registration by ENV SP2. Assessment: Discussion with ENV SP and

V ifi d d

4. Authenticationo Credit Appeals

Verifier as needed3. Verification: Verifier Reviews Documentation

5. Recognition: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum

Recognition Level Total Applicable Points* (%)

Bronze Award 20Project Award Levels

Silver Award 30

Gold Award 40Gold Award 40

Platinum Award 50

*Based on percentage of applicable points

Water-Related Credits In EnvisionTMEnvision

Water-Related Credits in EnvisionTM

RA3.1. Protect Fresh Water AvailabilityRA3.2. Reduce Potable Water ConsumptionRA3 3 Monitor Water SystemsRA3.3. Monitor Water Systems

NW1.2. Protect Wetland And Surface WaterNW1 4 Avoid Adverse GeologyNW1.4. Avoid Adverse GeologyNW1.5. Preserve Floodplain FunctionsNW2.1. Manage StormwaterNW2.2 Reduce Pesticide and Fertilizer ImpactsNW2.3. Prevent Surface and Groundwater ContaminationNW3.4. Maintain Wetland and Surface Water Functions

Water-Related Credits in EnvisionTM

RA3.1. Protect Fresh Water AvailabilityIntent: Reduce the negative net impact on fresh water availability, quantity and qualityM t i Th t t t hi h th j t f h t ith t l i hi th t Metric: The extent to which the project uses fresh water resources without replenishing those resources at the source

RA3.2. Reduce Potable Water ConsumptionpIntent: Reduce overall potable water consumption and encourage the use of greywater, recycled water, and stormwater to meet needs.Metric: Percentage of potable water use reduction (over industry norms).

RA3.3. Monitor Water SystemsIntent: Implement programs to monitor water systems performance during operations and their impacts on recei ing streamsreceiving streams.Metric: Documentation of the system in the design process.

Water-Related Credits in EnvisionTM

NW1.2. Protect Wetland And Surface WaterIntent: Protect, buffer, enhance and restore areas designated as wetlands, shorelines, and water bodies by providing natural buffer zones, vegetation and soil protection zones.p g , g pMetric: Size of natural buffer zone established around all wetlands, shorelines, and water bodies.

NW1.4 Avoid Adverse GeologyIntent: Avoid development in adverse geologic formations and safeguard aquifers to reduce natural hazards risk and preserve high quality groundwater resources.Metric: Degree to which natural hazards and sensitive aquifers are avoided and geologic function

i t i dmaintained.

NW1.5 Preserve Floodplain FunctionsIntent: Preserve floodplain functions by limiting development and development impacts to maintain water Intent: Preserve floodplain functions by limiting development and development impacts to maintain water management capacities and capabilities.Metric: Efforts to avoid floodplains or maintain pre-development floodplain functions.

Water-Related Credits in EnvisionTM

NW2.1. Manage StormwaterIntent: Minimize the impact of infrastructure on stormwater runoff quantity and quality.Metric: Infiltration and evapotranspiration capacity of the site and return to pre-development capacitiesMetric: Infiltration and evapotranspiration capacity of the site and return to pre development capacities.

NW2.2 Reduce Pesticide and Fertilizer ImpactsIntent: Reduce non point source pollution by reducing the quantity toxicity bioavailability and persistence of Intent: Reduce non-point source pollution by reducing the quantity, toxicity, bioavailability and persistence of pesticides and fertilizers or by eliminating the need for the use of these materials. Metric: Efforts made to reduce the quantity, toxicity, bioavailability and persistence of pesticides and fertilizers used on site including the selectin of plant species and the use of integrated pest management fertilizers used on site, including the selectin of plant species and the use of integrated pest management techniques.

Water-Related Credits in EnvisionTM

NW2.3 Prevent Surface and Groundwater ContaminationIntent: Preserve fresh water resources by incorporating measures to prevent pollutants from contaminating surface and groundwater and monitor impacts over operations.g p pMetric: Designs, plans and programs instituted to prevent and monitor surface and groundwater contamination.

NW3.4 Maintain Wetland and Surface Water FunctionsIntent: Maintain and restore the ecosystem functions of streams, wetlands, water bodies and their riparian areas (functions defined as hydrologic connection, water quality, habitat, sediment transport)( y g , q y, , p )Metric: Number of functions maintained and restored.

Other Water-Related Credits in EnvisionTM

QL3.1. Preserved Historic and Cultural ResourcesQL3 2 P Vi d L l Ch

Other Water Related Credits in Envision

QL3.2. Preserve Views and Local CharacterQL3.3 Enhance Public Space

LD 2.2 Improve Infrastructure IntegrationCR2.1. Assess Climate ThreatCR2 2 Avoid Traps and VulnerabilitiesCR2.2. Avoid Traps and VulnerabilitiesCR2.3. Prepare for Long-Term AdaptabilityCR2.4. Prepare for Short-Term Hazards

Project ExamplesProject Examples

6 Verified Projects

William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery, Anchorage, AlaskaSnow Creek Stream Environment Zone Snow Creek Stream Environment Zone Restoration, North Lake Tahoe, CaliforniaSouth Los Angeles Wetland Park, Los Angeles, CaliforniaCaliforniaSun Valley Watershed Multi-Benefit Project, Los Angeles County, CaliforniaTarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) Line Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD), Line J, Section 1 Pipeline, North Central TXGrand Bend Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, Ontario, CanadaFacility, Ontario, Canada

Projects Applying EnvisionOver 350 projects using the Envision Workbook

Envision

Water and wastewater treatment plantsNatural gas plantsPipelinesPipelinesBrownfield restorationsAirport upgradesHighway interchangesActive Transportation corridorLight rail facilitiesLight rail facilitiesWetlands development Holland Energy Park, Holland Board of Public Works

Holland, Michigan, USA

William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery

First Envision Award in July 2013One-of-a-kind facility for the production of

Spo t s atc e y

salmon and trout. Intensive recirculation technology to reduce energy and water consumptionDelivered on a tight schedule, integrated CM/GC team 100,000 visitors per year100,000 visitors per year

Envision Focus/Sustainability Solutions & BenefitsQuality of Life

Economic and social benefits realized: recreation, jobs tax revenue income and enhanced public

& Benefits

jobs, tax revenue, income, and enhanced public spacePublic education integrated into the design

LeadershipLeadershipExtensive research on community impactsPublic education and outreachRepurposed existing water and sewer Repurposed existing water and sewer infrastructure; created connections to existing bike trails

Envision Focus/Sustainability Solutions & BenefitsResource Allocation

Reduced energy use. Project piloted and implemented a full-scale, highly efficient,

& Benefits

implemented a full scale, highly efficient, recirculated aquaculture system that reduced energy by approximately 88% Significantly reduced operating costs yet

i t i d d ti lmaintained production goalsNatural World

Environmental restoration of a former military brownfield and greyfield site including cleanup of brownfield and greyfield site, including cleanup of contaminated soilsUsed native plant species requiring no pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers

Climate and RiskProject addressed biosecurity risks and long-term operating costs

PROJECT FEATURES

Holland Energy Park, Holland, MI

New 114-megawatt combined cycle natural gas plantSustainable return on investment study – cost based

l i

o a d,

analysisCommunity energy plan resulted in high-efficiency plant solution in lieu of expanding an existing coal-fi d l tfired plantExtensive community engagementPublic education elements built inWaste heat will be used to expand city’s snowmelt systemLand purchased to create & connect green spaceLand purchased to create & connect green spaceWetlands restorationStormwater capture and use

www.sustainableinfrastructure.org

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