State Police Headquarters
Encouraging State Facility Retro-fits

Project Location - 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Susquehanna Township.
Existing Conditions - Large amounts of impervious
cover, a common problem in urban areas, can lead to significant increases in pollutant runoff and
streambank erosion, as well as a loss of groundwater recharge. Stormwater runoff addressed by this demonstration originates at two main locations: (1) the west parking lot; and (2) from the front lawn and driveway. The stormwater flows at a high velocity and carries with it a great amount of energy. This energy has created highly eroded channels that funnel nutrients and sediments into Asylum Run, and ultimately Paxton Creek.
 

Project Overview - Project goals include capturing runoff using bioretention from 14 acres of parking lot, lawn area, and Elmerton Avenue. Through partnerships with the State Police, Pennsylvania Department of General Services, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the management portion of the study will result in guidelines being established to streamline the planning process for performing stormwater retrofits on state (public) facility lands.

Project Activities - Bioretention areas will be established on the front lawn and along the west parking lot to:

  • reduce stormwater runoff using onsite infiltration;
  • improve water quality by reducing pollutant loads; and,
  • reduce erosion and sedimentation.

A 4,000 square foot rain garden is planned for the front lawn area and a vegetated “bioswale” will border the west parking lot. These areas will capture and filter runoff pollutants, thus reducing the sediment and nutrient loads that are carried to Paxton Creek. Additionally, the project will educate state officials about the importance of stormwater management, and the changes needed in the process of retrofitting state facilities.