Green Infrastructure Plan Study Session with HMB City Council

VIDEO/ POWERPOINT.  This plan will affect 6 major projects in Half Moon Bay.

BACKGROUND: The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) identifies and regulates the control of various pollutants in stormwater runoff from municipal storm drain systems throughout San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. Provision C.3.j of the MRP requires each jurisdiction subject to the MRP, including the City of Half Moon Bay, to develop a Green Infrastructure Plan (GI Plan) that demonstrates how each jurisdiction will gradually shift from traditional “gray” storm drain infrastructure—which channels polluted runoff directly into receiving waters without treatment—to a more resilient and sustainable storm drain system comprised of “green” infrastructure facilities and sustainable practices to capture, store and treat stormwater using specially designed landscape systems before the runoff enter the bay or ocean. On May 21, 2019, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing execution of an amendment to the professional services agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc. (consultant) for storm water support services. The amendment included support for FY 2019-20 on all matters related to the MRP, with an emphasis on the development and adoption of the City’s Green Infrastructure Plan. 1.

~ City of HMB City Council Agenda

More from the City on Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure (GI) uses plants, soils, and other elements to manage water quality and mimic the natural water cycle by capturing rainwater. Green infrastructure projects act as sustainable systems that retain, detain, filter, harvest, infiltrate, and/or evapotranspirate stormwater runoff to create healthier urban environments. Examples of green infrastructure include stormwater planters or bioretention areas, infiltration systems, permeable pavement, green roofs, green walls, green gutters, and stormwater trees.

Green infrastructure provides many benefits such as improving water quality by removing trash and pollutants, reversing urbanization on local creeks and waterways, decreasing the chance of localized flooding, biodiversity and habitat preservation for native plants and animals, traffic calming, and overall enhancement of neighborhood aesthetics.

Watch the City Council Presentation