2. ASLF
New York based not-for-profit, headquartered in the Near
Westside area in the City of Syracuse
Established in 1982 to provide legal, technical, and
organizational services to individuals and organizations
dealing with environmental issues
Has taken a leading role in protection and restoration of
Syracuse waterways and addressing CSO issues
Is incorporating innovative strategies to improve economic,
social , and environmental sustainability in urban life
8. Diagram of a Combined
Sewer Overflow System.
Adapted from “CSOs
Explained” Official City of
Bremerton Site.
BACKGROUND: THE ISSUE (CONT.)
Municipal Source of Pollution: Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)
9. THE PROCESS:
ACJ
• ASLF and the NYS-DEC 1988 Lawsuit Against Onondaga
County Under the Clean Water Act
• METRO Consent Judgment
• Amended Consent Judgment (ACJ, January 1998)
10. THE PROCESS:
THE 4TH STIP TO ACJ 2009
• Gray Infrastructure: 88.7% annual volume capture by 2013
• Green Infrastructure (GI): additional 6.3% annual volume capture in
Green Infrastructure commencing immediately in 2009
11. THE SOLUTION:
Initiatives
• GI on Public Land
• Green Improvement Fund: GI on Private Land
• Rain Barrel Program
• Urban Forestry Program
• STR-Vacant Lot Program (VLP)
12. VLP: A JOINT
VENTURE
• Onondaga County
• City of Syracuse
The City of Syracuse Ordinance that depicts the City-County
Agreement on installing GI on the City properties
13. VLP PROGRAM GOALS
Reduce CSOs by at least 9 million gallons by 2018 using GI on
publicly owned vacant lots
Provide different forms of GREEN infrastructure projects for Save
The Rain
Simultaneously reclaim greenspace in a useful way and improve
value of vacant lots to community
Engage public in GI maintenance for Save The Rain
17. VLP PROJECTS:
2011
Before After
VLP Pilot Project: Urban Orchard at 701 Oswego Street, Syracuse, New
York
18. VLP PROJECTS:
2012
Early 50%
Project Concept Construction
Design Design Completed Total
Status Phase Phase
Phase Phase
Number of
9 1 1 3 1 15
Projects
19. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
IN VLP
• Outreach
• Coordination
• Maintenance
• Green Job Training and Job
Creation
21. LONG - TERM OWNERSHIP
AND O&M MECHANISM
Alternatives
• Under Municipal Ownership
• Under Private Ownership and Operation
• Land Trust Model
22. FURTHER NEEDS AND
CHALLENGES
• Public Acceptance and Involvement in Projects
• An Integral Planning Process
• Operations & Management
• Produce
• Taxes
• Utilities
23. LEGITIMIZE THE PROCESS
• Adaptation of Zoning and Land Use Policy
• Guidelines for Safety and Security
• Incorporation of GI and Alternative Reuse in Urban Planning
Agenda
25. FOR MORE INFORMATION
658 West Onondaga Street, Syracuse, New York 13204
315-475-1170
atlantic.states@aslf.org www.aslf.org
www.savetherain.us
QUESTIONS
Editor's Notes
Land Use PlanningStormwaterPollution – waste and debrisPopulation Shifting Crime Property Value LossNeighborhood Degradation
Land Use Planning – biodiversity, open space management, Connective CorridorsStormwaterPollution Population Shifting Crime Property Value LossNeighborhood Degradation
Outlined two dozen projects for the County Extensive monitoring program
The court order requires Onondaga County to use GRAY and GREEN infrastructure addressing CSOs, resulting in 95% total annual volume capture by 2018
A GI program created by the CountyEncompasses the storm water and GI initiatives Educates the public about issues and how they can use and benefit from GI
Initiated in 2011 by Onondaga CountyFunded by Onondaga County to build GI projects on City owned vacant lotsDeveloped collaboratively to fit within both governments’ immediate planning goalsBased on the agreement that defines the County’s and the City’s responsibilities in O&M of the VLP projectsDeveloped and coordinated by ASLF
3,668 vacant parcels of just over 41,000 in the City of Syracuse (2012 data)1,786 vacant parcels (392 ac.) in CSO area where GI projects are required for managing stormwater828 publicly owned vacant parcels which could be potentially used
to general public and communities near project siteswith community in planning & design process Community participation in
Safety issues related to urban farming on abandoned landLawn vs Native GardenTree(s) vs Forestto incorporate all stakeholders’ interests and meet their needs, particularly for urban agriculture typologies under VLP
