Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.91
Liaison Nathan King
Submission Date Aug. 2, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.1

Virginia Tech
OP-23: Stormwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Craig Moore
Manager for Site & Infrastructure Development
Site & Infrastructure Development
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a policy, plan, and/or strategies to reduce stormwater runoff from new development projects? :
Yes

Does the institution have a policy, plan, and/or strategies to reduce stormwater runoff from ongoing campus operations? :
Yes

A brief description of the institution's stormwater management initiatives:

The Virginia Tech Annual Standards and Specifications for ESC and SWM submittal has been developed to provide information regarding VT’s implementation in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law (§10.1-560 et. seq.), the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations (4VAC50- 30 et. seq.), the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Certification Regulations (4VAC50-50 et. seq.), the Virginia Stormwater Management Act (§10.1-603 et. seq.), and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Permit Regulations (4VAC50-60 et. seq.) as related to municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) and regulated construction activities.

Virginia Tech Annual Standards and Specifications for ESC and SWM shall apply to all design, construction and maintenance activities undertaken by Virginia Tech, either by its internal workforce or contracted to external entities, where such activities are regulated by the Virginia ESC Law and Regulations or the Virginia SWM Act and VSMP Permit Regulations. During any inspections of Virginia Tech’s land disturbing activities by DCR, EPA and other such environmental agencies, compliance with the approved Virginia Tech Annual Standards and Specifications for ESC and SWM (and all parts thereof), the Virginia ESC Law and Regulations, the Virginia SWM Act and the VSMP Permit Regulations will be expected.

Additionally, Virginia Tech's Stormwater Management Plan includes the use of Best Management Practices (BMP's) and other control methods including:
• Detention Ponds
• Bioretention
• Green Parking
• Green Roofing
• Stone Swales
• Native Meadows


The website URL where information about the institution's stormwater management initiatives, plan or policy is available:
Does the institution have a living or vegetated roof?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution's living or vegetated roof:

Green roofs were first planted on Seitz and Fralin Halls. The Life Sciences I building, constructed in 2007 is equipped with a green roof as well. The recently opened Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute also features a green roof with two to three feet of soil, allowing for a wider variety of plants versus a traditional green roof with a tray system.

To view an article from The Roanoke Times about the green roof on Seitz Hall please see: http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/173971

To view an article about the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute's green features please see: http://www.vtc.vt.edu/education/campus/Green_Features.html


Does the institution have porous paving?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution's porous paving:

There are multiple lots on campus that use this design such as the Foundry parking lot and War Memorial service vehicle parking lot.


Does the institution have retention ponds?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution's retention ponds:

One of the newer designs for retention BMP's, the Smithfield pretreatment and bioretention pond, serves the 15 acre Duck Pond parking lot. Water first enters the pretreatment pond, where it is distributed evenly into the bioretention pond. Once entering the bioretention pond, water infiltrates through filtration media. The filtration media removes sediment and pollutants from the water before flowing back into the stormwater system. The Henderson bioretention works similar to the Smithfield pond but without the use of a pretreatment pond.


Does the institution have stone swales?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution's stone swales:

A stone swale was built for the Alumni Center to help prevent channel erosion. This particular swale conveys the water from the Alumni Pond to the Duck Pond.


Does the institution have vegetated swales?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution's vegetated swales:

A vegetated swale exists in the Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion and Horticulture Garden which encompasses 5.75 acres, with 5.5 acres currently developed. Used as a learning resource for plant material, landscaping concepts, and environmental awareness, the garden features perennial borders, water gardens, shade gardens, a meadow garden, and the Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion.


Does the institution employ any other technologies or strategies for stormwater management?:
Yes

A brief description of other technologies or strategies for stormwater management employed:

Native Meadows - Native meadows play an important role in the stormwater master plan at Virginia Tech. Besides their ecological benefits, these native grasses enhance groundwater recharge and protect the streams they surround. There are nearly a dozen native meadow sites around campus.


Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.