Regional Nature-based Solutions to Stormwater Management

Date: Presented at StormCon 2024 in Reno, Nevada on August 28, 2024
Speaker: Shayne Paynter
Credits: 0.75 PDH / Approved for all Envirocert International, Inc. (ECI) Certifications: Approval #PDH-0042

In this session, strategies to make nature-based solutions successful, as well as several initiatives and projects, will be highlighted. An approach to offsetting water quality impacts associated with interstate highway improvements across Tampa Bay will be highlighted. Tampa Bay is impaired for nitrogen and plagued by poor tidal circulation and flushing associated with a causeway built across the bay in the 1930s. Rather than typical ponds or linear water quality features, a new cut through the causeway to improve tidal circulation was studied, modeled, permitted, constructed, and monitored for two years post-construction. A first-of-its kind water quality bank was established for highway projects. An internal client audit indicated the approach saved $100M over traditional approaches and has resulted in larger than expected improvement in water quality, ecological uplift and habitat improvement that does not occur with linear approaches to water quality. The project has spurred a statewide guidance manual to nature-based solutions and similar projects elsewhere.

Session duration: 45 minutes

About the Presenter

Shayne Paynter, PhD, PE PG serves as the US Technical Director for water resources at AtkinsRèalis. In that capacity, he works across a wide variety of clients and water projects across the nation and globally. He has nearly 30 years experience as well as a PhD in hydrologic statistics and is a licensed engineer and geologist in multiple states.