| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.63 |
| Liaison | Konrad Schlarbaum |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
OP-22: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Austin
Matheny Stormwater Program Manager Facilities Services |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Which of the following best describes the institution’s approach to rainwater management?:
Comprehensive policies, plans or guidelines that require LID practices for all new projects
A brief description of the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices:
All new building projects (13) on the UCCS campus for the past 12 years have achieved LEED Gold Certification and follow strict green infrastructure and LID practices. The UCCS Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability in all of its endeavors. As such, the UCCS MS4 participates in the Colorado Stormwater Excellence Program (CSEP), which is a voluntary construction stormwater permit compliance assistance and accountability program. UCCS implements Low Impact Development (LID) practices on major new construction and renovation projects.
Practices that we encourage include:
1. Implemented a strategic long-term Master Plan for our University.
2. Thoughtful site planning and design that reduces negative impact on the project site.
3. Encourage student and staff education and participation through collaborative meetings throughout project planning, design, and construction.
4. Reduce long-term maintenance costs, emphasizing plant and landscape materials selection.
5. Reduce disturbed areas by constraining construction staging and laydown areas.
6. Encourage contractor car-pooling and offsite parking at developed lots to reduce the negative impact on native and undisturbed land.
7. Introduce new concepts and technologies such as bio-retention, rain gardens, swales, and detention/conservation areas.
8. Maintain integrity of receiving streams and embankments.
9. Utilizing a staff member to frequent construction project sites to ensure compliance with stormwater management and BMP controls.
10. Reduce site runoff and flow rate by constructing detention areas and rip rap.
11. Minimize irrigation footprint by placement of native planting materials that are not susceptible to Colorado drought.
12. Minimize clearing of native trees by incorporating those into the final landscape where possible.
More information is available in the attached Stormwater pamphlet.
Contractor requirements include:
1. Preparation and maintenance of a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)
2. Requirements for a Certified SWMP Administrator from the contractor team
3. Pre-construction Stormwater Meeting
4. Use of the Standardized, Digital SWMP DocumentationSystem - ComplianceWise
5. Requirement for Minimum Implementation of the Uniform Stormwater Management
System (USMS)
Practices that we encourage include:
1. Implemented a strategic long-term Master Plan for our University.
2. Thoughtful site planning and design that reduces negative impact on the project site.
3. Encourage student and staff education and participation through collaborative meetings throughout project planning, design, and construction.
4. Reduce long-term maintenance costs, emphasizing plant and landscape materials selection.
5. Reduce disturbed areas by constraining construction staging and laydown areas.
6. Encourage contractor car-pooling and offsite parking at developed lots to reduce the negative impact on native and undisturbed land.
7. Introduce new concepts and technologies such as bio-retention, rain gardens, swales, and detention/conservation areas.
8. Maintain integrity of receiving streams and embankments.
9. Utilizing a staff member to frequent construction project sites to ensure compliance with stormwater management and BMP controls.
10. Reduce site runoff and flow rate by constructing detention areas and rip rap.
11. Minimize irrigation footprint by placement of native planting materials that are not susceptible to Colorado drought.
12. Minimize clearing of native trees by incorporating those into the final landscape where possible.
More information is available in the attached Stormwater pamphlet.
Contractor requirements include:
1. Preparation and maintenance of a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)
2. Requirements for a Certified SWMP Administrator from the contractor team
3. Pre-construction Stormwater Meeting
4. Use of the Standardized, Digital SWMP DocumentationSystem - ComplianceWise
5. Requirement for Minimum Implementation of the Uniform Stormwater Management
System (USMS)
A copy of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines:
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines that supports the responses above:
UCCS Stormwater Management Plan
UCCS has developed a SWMP based on previous permit applications and implementations in many areas, including:
1. Public Education
UCCS Facilities Services Department (FSD) has stormwater educational posters in the University Center. This is a high-visibility area and will be seen by faculty, staff, and students alike. Additionally, the FSD will regularly update these educational materials and conduct bi-annual evaluations to assess their impact on community awareness of stormwater issues and update them as necessary. While exposing faculty to the ongoing efforts in erosion control and runoff mitigation, FSD provides a schedule of meetings that may be forwarded to interested parties in classrooms. FSD records on the Graphic Information Systems (GIS)database map all storm drains and physically mark the inlets with a” No Dumping and/or Drains to Stream” marker. Allowable discharges are included on the maps. Electronic links are provided for environmental websites related to stormwater issues. FSD submits stormwater information to the university newspaper for publishing and provides that same information to the University’s four campus faculty and staff Newspapers.
UCCS will annually present a training session to kitchen staff. Proper disposal procedures will be discussed and modifications to procedures made, if deemed appropriate. Reference materials will be prepared for distribution at the training sessions.
2. Public Participation/Involvement
FSD sponsors a Student Clean-up Day to be conducted once per semester, utilising students on volunteer groups for trash clean-up, sediment removal and identification of areas of concern. Furthermore, a formal feedback mechanism will be established, inviting community suggestions and comments on stormwater management practices to be reviewed quarterly. Information on stormwater pollution issues and potential solutions is made available at the Sustainability table at Earth Day events, which are scheduled each spring on the campus. Staff is also encouraged to set an example by picking up at least one piece of trash per day. Community involvement is solicited through enviroscape demonstrations at local schools and events. An annual agenda item regarding Stormwater pollution prevention will be presented to the Executive Team and be made available to the community as a Power Point presentation on the FSD website. A staff member will attend appropriate meetings to enhance the understanding of regulation and the efficient use of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Reporting procedures are being developed and will be posted on FSD website. These procedures will include a comprehensive training module for staff], to better identify and report illicit discharges. As part of hazardous materials training, all plant personnel will be trained to identify potential illicit discharges and encouraged to report to the appropriate staff members. The University will make every effort to clean HVAC equipment without the use of any
solvent other than water and if necessary, will dispose of all pollutants and/ or contaminants in an approved manner.
4. Construction
Contractors must obtain a COR4000 permit from the CDPHE for their Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction on any Project more than 1 acre. Project oversight will include weekly or bi-weekly compliance Inspections per the CDPHE permit requirements by the University and a detailed checklist for evaluating contractors' adherence to BMPs, ensuring ongoing alignment with stormwater regulations. Contractors must complete, inspect and keep a record of the conditions within the boundaries of their respective construction projects every 7 or 14 days and meet with FSD staff regularly to assure compliance. Project management will review contractors’ plans to identify and avoid conflict and will recommend the BMPs that best suit the future needs of the campus.
5. Post Construction
All completed projects will be inspected every 14 days and after every precipitation event during the first year of ownership and monthly thereafter. Inspection criteria will be detailed in a supplementary document, and BMP maintenance schedules will be integrated into the annual facility management plan for ongoing effectiveness. DFS will include BMP maintenance in the established maintenance programs to provide long-term sustainability and continuous operation.
6. Pollution Prevention and Housekeeping
All excess gravel and sand will be removed at the end of each winter season, and sediment removed from affected areas to ensure proper drainage and mitigate pollution. A bi-annual review process will be instituted to assess and update housekeeping procedures, ensuring they effectively mitigate pollution risks and adhere to evolving environmental standards and those set by the CDPHE. Good housekeeping procedures will be followed by all employees, and continuous training will be provided. DFS will maintain the prepared and comprehensive SWMP in the near future.
UCCS has developed a SWMP based on previous permit applications and implementations in many areas, including:
1. Public Education
UCCS Facilities Services Department (FSD) has stormwater educational posters in the University Center. This is a high-visibility area and will be seen by faculty, staff, and students alike. Additionally, the FSD will regularly update these educational materials and conduct bi-annual evaluations to assess their impact on community awareness of stormwater issues and update them as necessary. While exposing faculty to the ongoing efforts in erosion control and runoff mitigation, FSD provides a schedule of meetings that may be forwarded to interested parties in classrooms. FSD records on the Graphic Information Systems (GIS)database map all storm drains and physically mark the inlets with a” No Dumping and/or Drains to Stream” marker. Allowable discharges are included on the maps. Electronic links are provided for environmental websites related to stormwater issues. FSD submits stormwater information to the university newspaper for publishing and provides that same information to the University’s four campus faculty and staff Newspapers.
UCCS will annually present a training session to kitchen staff. Proper disposal procedures will be discussed and modifications to procedures made, if deemed appropriate. Reference materials will be prepared for distribution at the training sessions.
2. Public Participation/Involvement
FSD sponsors a Student Clean-up Day to be conducted once per semester, utilising students on volunteer groups for trash clean-up, sediment removal and identification of areas of concern. Furthermore, a formal feedback mechanism will be established, inviting community suggestions and comments on stormwater management practices to be reviewed quarterly. Information on stormwater pollution issues and potential solutions is made available at the Sustainability table at Earth Day events, which are scheduled each spring on the campus. Staff is also encouraged to set an example by picking up at least one piece of trash per day. Community involvement is solicited through enviroscape demonstrations at local schools and events. An annual agenda item regarding Stormwater pollution prevention will be presented to the Executive Team and be made available to the community as a Power Point presentation on the FSD website. A staff member will attend appropriate meetings to enhance the understanding of regulation and the efficient use of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Reporting procedures are being developed and will be posted on FSD website. These procedures will include a comprehensive training module for staff], to better identify and report illicit discharges. As part of hazardous materials training, all plant personnel will be trained to identify potential illicit discharges and encouraged to report to the appropriate staff members. The University will make every effort to clean HVAC equipment without the use of any
solvent other than water and if necessary, will dispose of all pollutants and/ or contaminants in an approved manner.
4. Construction
Contractors must obtain a COR4000 permit from the CDPHE for their Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction on any Project more than 1 acre. Project oversight will include weekly or bi-weekly compliance Inspections per the CDPHE permit requirements by the University and a detailed checklist for evaluating contractors' adherence to BMPs, ensuring ongoing alignment with stormwater regulations. Contractors must complete, inspect and keep a record of the conditions within the boundaries of their respective construction projects every 7 or 14 days and meet with FSD staff regularly to assure compliance. Project management will review contractors’ plans to identify and avoid conflict and will recommend the BMPs that best suit the future needs of the campus.
5. Post Construction
All completed projects will be inspected every 14 days and after every precipitation event during the first year of ownership and monthly thereafter. Inspection criteria will be detailed in a supplementary document, and BMP maintenance schedules will be integrated into the annual facility management plan for ongoing effectiveness. DFS will include BMP maintenance in the established maintenance programs to provide long-term sustainability and continuous operation.
6. Pollution Prevention and Housekeeping
All excess gravel and sand will be removed at the end of each winter season, and sediment removed from affected areas to ensure proper drainage and mitigate pollution. A bi-annual review process will be instituted to assess and update housekeeping procedures, ensuring they effectively mitigate pollution risks and adhere to evolving environmental standards and those set by the CDPHE. Good housekeeping procedures will be followed by all employees, and continuous training will be provided. DFS will maintain the prepared and comprehensive SWMP in the near future.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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