2009 E3 Operations/Management Grand Prize

NYS Thruway Authority Statewide Stormwater Management Program

Statewide, New York
ENTRANT: Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.
ENGINEER IN CHARGE: Daniel J. Loewenstein, P.E., BCEE

Two major New York State agencies -- the NYS Thruway Authority and the NYS Canal Corporation - operate separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and are responsible for ongoing construction on over 640 miles of roads and 524 miles of canal statewide. They had to develop and implement comprehensive Storm Water Management Programs to address new regulations focused on sources of stormwater runoff with the greatest potential to adversely affect water quality.	The engineers worked with the Authority/Corporation to develop and implement comprehensive Storm Water Management Programs (SWMPs) meeting the requirements of the MS4 General Permit. The engineers developed over two dozen Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans to allow construction projects like this one to proceed as scheduled.	To track progress of the SWMP, the engineers developed a geographic information system (GIS) and state-of-the-art computer based tool to track progress and facilitate coordination among MS4s streams.
The computer-based tools were also used to inventory and evaluate facilities and operations, manage outfall inventory and inspection data and ensure permit compliance. This photo shows an engineer inspecting a stormwater outfall.	The engineers created a "culture of awareness" within the Authority/Corporation by educating and training personnel involved in construction and maintenance using posters, guides, formal training and directives.	To improve communications with the public, Malcolm Pirnie and the subconsultant developed an innovative public outreach campaign, "Connecting the Drops," to educate the public at various community events, travel plazas and the New York State Fair. Through public education and outreach, this project will enable the Authority/Corporation to continue to strengthen their role as "environmental stewards."

Entrant Profile

In this critical project, Malcolm Pirnie helped two major New York State agencies -- the New York State Thruway Authority (Authority) and the New York State Canal Corporation (Corporation) - comply with new federal and state stormwater regulations aimed at protecting the state's water resources.

Responding to a USEPA mandate, New York State initiated a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Phase II Stormwater Permit Program, to address stormwater runoff with the greatest potential to negatively impact water quality. The rule had significant implications for the Authority/Corporation. With separate storm sewer systems serving over 640 miles of roads and 524 miles of canal statewide, and responsibility for extensive construction activities, the Authority/Corporation represented one of the state's largest and most complex MS4s requiring development and implementation of comprehensive Stormwater Management Programs (SWMPs).

Malcolm Pirnie's role included:

Developing a framework for comprehensive SWMPs to address six minimum control measures
Implementing elements of the five-year SWMP including state-of-the-art electronic data management tools
Developing dozens of SWPPs to allow proposed construction projects to proceed
Developing a Supplemental Guidance Manual
Providing technical support and training to the Authority/Corporation designers
Developing and implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) and standard operating procedures
Training over 200 Authority/Corporation personnel statewide
Conducting facility inspections and outfall mapping
Developing a Stormwater Management Practice Maintenance Manual
Conducting an extensive public education/outreach/participation program

Role of Other Consultants

A public outreach firm assisted in administering public participation components.

Project Description

In this critical project, Malcolm Pirnie helped two major New York State agencies -- the New York State Thruway Authority (Authority) and the New York State Canal Corporation (Corporation) - with a large and complex undertaking -- complying with new federal and state stormwater regulations aimed at preserving and protecting the quality of the state's water resources.

Integrated Approach

The SWMP successfully integrates many of the Authority/ Corporation's existing policies and procedures, building on longstanding systems and facilitating acceptance and administration.

The project created a "culture of awareness and environmental stewardship" by educating the public about the impact of stormwater discharges on many environmental media . It covered a wide range -- pollutants of concern and their sources and how stormwater and non-stormwater dischargers can reduce pollutants.

The program will not only improve stormwater quality from Authority/Corporation operations but will also have positive impacts beyond. Its "Connect the Drops" outreach campaign theme demonstrates the program's integrated approach; it included distribution of informational flyers, playing of an educational video at Thruway Travel Plazas, and construction of a watershed exhibit at a children's museum, posters, even children's coloring books showing a Water Cycle diagram and entreating - help protect clean water by keeping litter and pollution out of storm drains.

Quality/User Satisfaction

A SWMP meeting the requirements of the MS4 General Permit was developed and successfully implemented statewide. The activities for each year of the five year program were completed under budget and on schedule.

As a result of close collaboration with regulators, the new permit more clearly defines compliance challenges. Throughout the project, Malcolm Pirnie worked closely with regulators and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to ensure that the compliance challenges for non-traditional, linear MS4s were recognized by the NYSDEC. As a result of these collaborative efforts, the new MS4 General Permit issued in May 2008 includes a "non-traditional" classification with classification-specific requirements. By more clearly defining many aspects of compliance, it significantly reduces the level of interpretation needed and facilitates ongoing and future permit compliance.

This project will enable the Authority/Corporation to continue to strengthen its role as an environmental steward. Public outreach and education is one of the six minimum controls required for permit compliance. The program's effective public outreach and education campaign had the theme, "Connecting the Drops," as part of this project

Original/Innovative Application

This was truly a cutting-edge effort - before this permit was issued, transportation system operations were not subject to the General Permit requirements.

Malcolm Pirnie used innovative information technology to achieve the client's goals. The comprehensive SWMP includes a Geographic Information System (GIS) and Microsoft Access-based tool to track the progress of the SWMP, facilitate coordination with the numerous MS4s with shared borders, track ongoing construction projects, and ensure ongoing compliance with the Phase II requirements.

Prioritizing activities was crucial, given the large number of facilities and expanse of the Authority/ Corporation's operations. Malcolm Pirnie developed a standardized prioritization form, linked to a Microsoft Access database, to be completed by the facilities. They also conducted a number of facility inspections to assess the types of activities undertaken and the current BMPs employed by Authority/Corporation personnel. This information was used to rank the potential risk for stormwater pollution of each facility, and allow the development of targeted implementation plans to detect and eliminate illicit discharges.

Training of designers and construction inspectors was imperative because of the number of construction activities undertaken by Authority/Corporation maintenance personnel. To satisfy the construction site runoff control minimum measure, a program was required to reduce pollutants and discharge runoff from construction activities. It is logistically very difficult for the Authority/Corporation to enact ordinances providing authority to enforce erosion and sediment control requirements for construction projects being conducted on their property, underscoring the importance of a properly developed SWPPP. Contractors performing construction for the Authority/Corporation are bound by the project SWPPP for all activities. Malcolm Pirnie completed a thorough review and update of directives and information bulletins, as well as leases and access agreements to ensure stormwater protection was adequately addressed.

Similarly, recognizing that the Authority/Corporation has limited access to the public, Malcolm Pirnie, and its subconsultant, developed an innovative public outreach campaign focused on accessing the public at community trail clean-up events, canal events, canal locks, rest areas, and the New York State Fair. In addition, funding was secured from the Hudson River Estuary Grants Program to construct a watershed model at the Children's Museum of Science and Technology in Troy, New York. This model expanded upon the museum's Hudson River-focused exhibits and enabled the development of additional activities to educate children on non-point source pollution.

The final facet of the outreach program focused on educating and training Authority/Corporation personnel through posters, brochures, pocket guides and formal training and directives. Recognizing the importance of developing and maintaining a well-trained, motivated staff for any public works organization, this project is a model of how to create a "culture of awareness" through comprehensive employee training that builds upon longstanding policies and procedures without creating new, and often confusing or conflicting systems.

Complexity

Pirnie overcame a number of significant challenges in developing Stormwater Management Programs to meet the compliance requirements of a permit targeted to traditional municipalities. As a non-traditional MS4 it is logistically very difficult for the Authority/Corporation, without the passage of special legislation, to enact ordinances providing authority to enforce erosion and sediment control requirements for construction projects conducted on their property. This added complexity and underscored the importance of a properly developed SWMP, making thorough training of designers and construction inspectors imperative. Similarly, the sheer number of construction activities undertaken by Authority/Corporation maintenance personnel provided an added challenge.

Social/Economic Considerations

As two of New York State's largest MS4s, the Authority/Corporation's development and ongoing implementation of effective SWMPS can benefit a significant number of water bodies, minimizing the potential for discharge of polluted stormwater by increasing the use and proper maintenance of permanent controls along the Thruway and Canal systems.

Malcolm Pirnie worked with the Children's Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) and the Authority to develop a new Hudson River Watershed Model exhibit. This interactive learning exhibit educates children by demonstrating how stormwater runoff can carry pollution to New York's waterways. Corporation Director, Carmella R. Mantello and Authority Executive Director Michael Fleisher view an exhibit.	Malcolm Pirnie and the subconsultant developed a training session for children to demonstrate the connection between everyday activities and potential pollution of waterways. Here fourth and fifth grade students participate in a stormwater drain stenciling activity at the Thruway's Guilderland Travel Plaza - painting "Only Rain Down the Drain, Drains to Waterway" to raise awareness that storm drains drain to lakes, rivers and streams.
Brochures were developed to educate the public how stormwater can become polluted and show practical ways homeowners, drivers, boaters and pet owners can prevent pollution from entering the watershed. This brochure outlines proper vessel operation and maintenance practices to help keep the Canal System clean and informs people how to identify and report illegal discharges and dumping.	Food service vendors provide fast food to Thruway travelers at leased space at the Thruway Service Areas. A poster was developed to educate food service employees on proper cleaning and waste disposal techniques geared at reducing stormwater pollution.	Example of the poster used at Thruway Maintenance facilities.