Green Infrastructure Plan

The purpose of the Green Infrastructure Plan is to guide the identification, implementation, tracking, and reporting of green infrastructure projects within the City of East Palo Alto in accordance with the requirements of Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP), Order No. R2-2015-0049, adopted by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board on November 15, 2015. The Plan is required by the MRP, in part, as an alternative to expanding the definition of Regulated Projects prescribed in Provision C.3.b to include all new and redevelopment projects that create or replace 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface areas and road projects that just replace existing imperious surface area. “Green infrastructure” refers to stormwater infrastructure that uses vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water and create healthier urban environments.

At the scale of a city or county, green infrastructure refers to the patchwork of natural and landscaped areas that provide habitat, flood protection, cleaner air, and cleaner water. At the scale of a neighborhood, street, or site, green infrastructure refers to stormwater management systems that mimic nature by soaking up, storing, and/or improving the quality of water. In the case of the City of East Palo Alto, green infrastructure is considered as low impact development sited on both private property and public right of way. At the project level, this includes treatment of stormwater from new or re-developed private properties, and treatment of stormwater from the public right of way.