Natural Resources Defense Council New Jersey Stormwater Rule Analysis

Princeton Hydro provided consulting engineering services for the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) concerning the implementation of the recently amended New Jersey Stormwater Management Rules. Modifications to the Stormwater Management Rules were considered which would require the use of Green Infrastructure measures to satisfy the groundwater recharge, peak flow control, and water quality requirements.

The purpose of Princeton Hydro’s consulting services was to quantify the impact of the amended rules on typical land use development within the State and to provide technical assistance to the NRDC as part of their public comment. This effort included detailed modeling and hydrologic and hydraulic calculations of hypothetical land development applications with the implementation of various Green Infrastructure measures.

An additional component of Princeton Hydro’s consulting engineering services was the participation in stakeholder meetings to discuss the potential for applicant credit for infiltration towards their peak flow rate criteria. Princeton Hydro supported the need for physically-based and scientifically sound approaches to the issue which do not jeopardize downstream properties and receiving water bodies.

Additionally, Princeton Hydro provided technical support and additional hydrologic and hydraulic calculations to quantify the impact of changing precipitation patterns on the stormwater management design process in New Jersey. The State is currently considering additional amendments to the stormwater rules which may incorporate provisions for predicted future rainfall intensities.