DATE: Wednesday, June 24, 2015
PLACE: Hawthorne Lucky Lab, 915 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
TIME: 11:30 a.m. Networking, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Presentation
SPEAKER: Jeremy Person PLA, LEED AP
TOPIC: Plant Selection for Stormwater Management Facilities
For the past 10 years, the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) has required the control and treatment of stormwater runoff by way of vegetated stormwater management facilities (SMFs). SMFs use a combination of soil and plants to detain, treat and infiltrate runoff from roads, roofs and other paved surfaces. The 2014 Stormwater Management Manual (SWMM) published by BES outlines the function, design and maintenance requirements of SMFs, but does not explain the role of plants in stormwater facilities. Therefore, designers are left with little to inform their plant selections other than typical landscape considerations which may conflict with the specialized needs of the SMF.
This presentation will outline a framework for the plant selection process for SMFs. While its basis will be specific to BES facilities built in Portland, Oregon, the intent is to identify specific characteristics of plants rather than the plants themselves, which vary by region. By identifying important characteristics in plants, designers will be able to focus on the most appropriate plant palette to maximize facility functions.
Jeremy Person is a professionally registered landscape architect for the City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services. Jeremy has worked in the Watershed Revegetation Program at BES since 2007, where his main responsibilities are design and project management of stormwater treatment and natural area restoration projects. Sustainability and regenerative design have been and continue to be a key component of Jeremy’s professional work. His recent projects for the city include several large stormwater treatment facilities along I-5 as well as stormwater and habitat improvements on Powell Butte. He is currently involved in the revision of the BES Greenstreet Details and the Stormwater Management Manual. Prior to public service, Jeremy worked in private sector offices in Oregon, California and Ohio, on projects ranging from large-scale mixed-use developments and subdivision planning, to smaller residential properties. He has a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the Ohio State University and a Master’s of Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Jeremy is an Oregon registered Landscape Architect and is LEED AP accredited.