Originally presented at StormCon 2023. Purchase all 28 sessions here.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has made significant progress related to incorporating Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) solutions into transportation projects. This presentation will use project examples to highlight NMDOT GSI advancements. One of the NMDOT initiatives was to transform its regulatory focused NPDES Guidance Manual into a guidance document that includes and promotes GSI/Low Impact Development (LID) strategies for stormwater management in arid regions. This updated NPDES Manual provides education and awareness for GSI to NMDOT professionals, as well as to stakeholders throughout the state. NMDOT has built a coalition of GSI supporters and is currently working on a redesign of its General Office campus in Santa Fe to feature GSI in an effort solve on-site, as well as adjacent drainage issues. This GSI project involves extended cooperation among departments and will function as a GSI showcase project. NMDOT is also working to identify optimum locations for the benefits of GSI within NMDOT right-of-way. This process highlights a multi-disciplinary approach, which considers that wildlife crossings, potential pollinator habitat, riparian/wetland areas, and GSI are commonly found in the same areas. Maintenance planning, responsibility, and costs have been a significant challenge for GSI adoption by NMDOT. GSI requires different maintenance practices, so NMDOT has established contract maintenance funding for GSI projects as well as initiated a pilot project to establish a GSI inventory. In addition, NMDOT is currently creating a GSI maintenance field guide and checklists to assist maintenance contractors as well as NMDOT staff.
About the Presenters
Sarah Ganley, PE, ENV SP, is a senior project manager and Vice President at Bohannan Huston. She provides comprehensive NPDES stormwater compliance support to clients throughout New Mexico. Sarah is a surface water quality engineer providing technical experience with hydrology and hydraulics as well as regional knowledge in Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) and Low Impact Development (LID) planning, policy support, Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation, surface water quality analysis, and stormwater quality compliance.
Antonio Griego has served as New Mexico Department of Transportation’s (NMDOT) MS4 Coordinator since 2019. In his role he oversees MS4 compliance across all five of NMDOT’s Districts. Mr. Griego is focused on increasing green stormwater infrastructure throughout NMDOT’s transportation system. His experience ranges from work as a fisheries and wildlife field biologist for the Santa Fe National Forest to working on municipal water conservation issues. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of New Mexico.
Course Includes
- 1 Lesson
