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RAIN GARDENS Discovery Initiative

RAIN GARDENS Discovery Initiative. Bill Sciarappa, Ph.D. Vivian Quinn, Program Assistant. PROBLEMS & POLLUTANTS Flooding Erosion Increased Sediment Beach Closures Non-point Pollution . Stormwater.

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RAIN GARDENS Discovery Initiative

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  1. RAIN GARDENSDiscovery Initiative Bill Sciarappa, Ph.D. Vivian Quinn, Program Assistant

  2. PROBLEMS & POLLUTANTS Flooding Erosion Increased Sediment Beach Closures Non-point Pollution Stormwater Development & imperviousness reduces the natural capacity of soil & vegetation to infiltrate and take up rainfall • Gas and oil • Bacteria-pet waste • Eroded soil • Road salt • Litter • Pesticides • Fertilizers

  3. Polluted Stormwater Stormwater runs over streets, parking lots & lawns & washes into streams, lakes & rivers • Sedimentation  Smothers aquatic life • Nitrogen  ammonia kills fish • Phosphorus fertilizers  Algae blooms • Salt & petrochemical contamination  mortality • Bacterial peaks  human health hazards

  4. What is a Watershed? The area of land that drains to a water body - We’re all connected through waterflows through our watershed. Restoring the natural buffers along our streams, lakes and ponds provides major environmental benefits to all citizens.

  5. SOLUTION: BIORETENTION minimizes impact of stormwater • Engineered wetlands • Infiltration basins • Grassy swales • Bioretention basins • Rain Barrels * • RAIN GARDENS* Physical water retention & biological & chemical Interaction between soil, vegetation & water * No permits needed

  6. Reduces pollution from non-point sources Conserves water Recharges underground water supply WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN? A specially landscaped, shallow depression that captures & filters polluted stormwater runoff

  7. Stormwater is directed into garden by pipes, swales, or curb openings LOCATION, LOCATION • Residential – typically 100-300 sq. ft. • Catch rainwater from roof • From driveway & sidewalk • Anyplace that will allow stormwater to be captured Home Gardens

  8. Sea Girt Fair Haven MUNICIPAL RAIN GARDENS Wall Bike Path Asbury Park

  9. Protecting Raritan Bay - Keyport Rain Garden

  10. SCHOOL RAIN GARDENS Keansburg Brookdale Spring Lake Heights Biotechnology HS

  11. A SOLUTION TO POLLUTION AT OUR AG BUILDING

  12. Completed & functioning in every season

  13. GETTING STARTED • Preliminary Observation • Site Selection • Where it will receive runoff • Area without ponding • Select flat part of yard for easier digging • At least 10 ft. from foundation • Not directly over septic system • Not suitable where the seasonal high water table level is less than 24" • Full or partial sunlight – first choice • Check utility markouts

  14. http://www.water.rutgers.edu/ Select rain gardens website

  15. PLANT SELECTIONS • Select WET & DRY tolerant plants • Suggest native plants • Do not require fertilization • Absorb water more efficiently than lawns • Easier to maintain • Inexpensive • Different heights, shapes & textures • Vary blooming times • Sun & Shade varieties

  16. SHRUBS Cranberry Viburnum: Viburnum Trilobum - large shrub, as wide as it is tall. Bright red fruit is attractive and edible. Prefers moist, well drained soil. 6-12' Inkberry Holly: Ilex Glabra - midsized evergreen shrub. Prefers moist soil, but can tolerate dry. 6-8'.

  17. PERENNIALS Wild Bergamot: Monarda Fistulosa - perennial found in dry fields, thickets, and woodland borders. 2" clusters of pale pink-lilac flowers in late summer Blue Flag: Iris versicolor - native iris of northern wetlands with blue flowers and sword shaped leaves. Soft Rush: Juncus Effusus - clump forming rush which usually raches about 3' . Stems are unbranched and round in cross section. To 3'.

  18. Themed Rain Gardens Themed Rain Gardens • Bird & Butterfly • Tree + Shrub • Ornamental bark, flowers, and berries • Deer Tolerant

  19. PLANTING Arrange plants according to light needs, spacing requirements & heights Add a layer of mulch Invite your friends!

  20. Watering – until established • Weeding - occasional • Pruning • Deadheading MAINTENANCE • Remove sediment buildup/trash/leaves at inflow & outflow • Re-vegetate & add mulch as necessary • Soil Testing – every 3-5 yrs • NO Fertilizing – sustains itself

  21. AFTER • Function • Beauty • Value BEFORE • Rainwater wasted • Pollution created

  22. Average small sized homeowner rain garden $3 to $5/sq. ft. – yourself $10 to $12/sq. ft. - landscaper Average medium landscaper built rain garden Material - $2,000 Labor - $1,500 Average large sized municipal rain garden demonstration Total unit cost $5,000 Expected buy-in of municipality $1,500 & boro labor, volunteer help, community equipment. Possible rain garden contest for streamside living in the municipality ESTIMATED COSTS

  23. CONSTRUCTION

  24. Think Globally – Act Locally

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