NYSOGS/NYSDEC Stormwater Management Design Manual

Since 2006, LaBella has served as a trusted consultant to the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) for Environmental Engineering term contracts. Within a recent OGS term, LaBella worked with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to perform a comprehensive revision to the New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual (SWDM), to include:

• Updated technical requirements for stormwater management practices (SMPs) based on new technologies, studies of installed SMP functionality, and construction/maintenance experience
• Enhanced guidance for removal of pollutants of concern, redevelopment activities, stormwater hotspots, and infiltration practices
• Addition of new SMPs
• A new Chapter for design examples
• A new Chapter for application of SMPs in urban areas
• A new Chapter for planting guidance for SMPs
• Incorporation of the NYSDEC Maintenance Guidance as a new Chapter
• Updated Appendix D for soil test requirements
• General clarifications and reformatting to improve user experience and ensure consistent application of the technical requirements
• Creation of CAD details for each SMP
• Updated inspection checklists
• Updated SMP calculation worksheets

The SWDM defines technical requirements for the design of SMPs on projects that require coverage under the NYSDEC State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity. Design engineers are required to refer to and conform to this statewide reference. A draft of the revised SWDM will be issued for public comment this summer, and the final reference manual is tentatively scheduled for release by the end of 2022.