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Implementing green infrastructure projects to protect the environment, promote sustainability, and enhance ecosystem services in Austin. The program focuses on inter-departmental collaboration, public and private investment incentives, maximizing ecosystem functions, and managing urban and natural ecosystems sustainably.
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Green Infrastructure Priority Program Implementation Team (GIPPIT) June 30, 2016
Imagine Austin Implementation • Education & Engagement • Internal Alignment • Regulations • Capital Investment • Partnerships
Imagine Austin Implementation Compact & Connected Sustainable Water Workforce & Education Priority Programs Green Infrastructure Creative Economy Household Affordability Healthy Austin Priority programs organize Imagine Austin’s key policies and actions into related groups to make it easier to implement the plan CodeNEXT
Priority Program No. 4 Green Infrastructure Use green infrastructure to protect environmentally sensitive areas and integrate nature into the city.
nature integrate into the city
“green infrastructure is strategically planned and managed networks of natural lands, parks, working landscapes, other open spaces, and green stormwater controls that conserve and enhance ecosystems and provide associated benefits to human populations.”imagine austin
ecosystem services the benefits of nature to households, communities, and economies food air quality property values shade erosion control education recreation water supply water quality beauty climate regulation habitat hazard mitigation
Priority Program No. 4 Green Infrastructure Goal Manage Austin’s urban and natural ecosystems in a coordinated and sustainable manner. Key Objectives • Improve inter-departmental collaboration and coordination • Continue public investment in green infrastructure • Incentivize and/or require private investment in green infrastructure • Maximize ecosystem function and services provided by green infrastructure on city-owned lands
Process for the Formation of the Implementation Team Task 1a Inventory of CoA Green Infrastructure Assets Task 2 Identify and Prioritize Needs and Gaps Task 3 Form Sub-Teams and Assign Priority Action Items Task 4 Establish Green Infrastructure Priority Program Implementation Team (GIPPIT) Task 1b Inventory of Existing Green Infrastructure Plans, Policies, and Programs Green Infrastructure Acquisition Regulatory Policy Public Lands Management
Identify and Prioritize Needs and Gaps Process: • Review Imagine Austin policies, actions, and work program tasks • Compile inventory of existing City plans, policies, & programs • Inventory available GIS data related to green infrastructure • Analyze inventory to identify needs, gaps, and priorities • Form sub-teams and develop work plans
Identify and Prioritize Needs and Gaps Conclusions: • City is already doing much of what is called for in Imagine Austin • Implementation of Imagine Austin requires closer alignment of existing plans, policies, and programs as well as new initiatives • Highest priorities are: • Improve inter-departmental collaboration on land acquisition and disposition • Support Priority Program No. 8 – CodeNEXT revisions • Improve inter-departmental collaboration to improve management of public lands
Green Infrastructure Priority Program Implementation Team • Sustainability Office • Austin Fire Department • Austin Energy • Austin Resource Recovery • Austin Water Utility • PARD • PDRD • Public Works • Real Estate Services • Watershed Protection • Green Infrastructure • Acquisition • Strategic vision • Support for SFGT • Regulatory Sub-Team • CodeNEXT • Criteria manual revisions • Public Lands • Management Sub-Team • Urban Forestry Management Plan • Standards of care for vegetation management • Riparian Zone Restoration Program • Invasive Species Management Plan • Wildfire fuel mitigation • Integrated Pest Management • Climate protection Green Streets Forestry Leadership Team
Questions? Erin WoodPrincipal PlannerWatershed Protection DepartmentCity of Austin(512) 974-2809erin.wood@austintexas.gov