Feasibility Study

The Feasibility Study is a written document that provides the basis and justification for design. It is based on a design professional’s site evaluation, a process in which multiple options are considered, and it may result in a recommendation that the project is not feasible or that other options should be considered. Before you apply for funding and prepare a Feasibility Study, special consideration should be placed on site analysis, including, but not limited to:

• Conducting field reconnaissance to confirm suitability of green infrastructure practice(s) at the site, noting existing conditions such as land use, utilities, stormwater flow path, soil conditions and property access;
• Avoiding sites with significant steep slopes, bedrock and/or severe grade changes;
• Selecting sites which are not subject to high groundwater levels, backwater conditions or tidal influences.

Applicants are required to submit sufficient information to demonstrate their proposed green infrastructure project is feasible to construct.

The Feasibility Study must be signed and stamped by a Qualified Professional: a person who is knowledgeable in the principles and practices of stormwater management and treatment, such as a NYS licensed Professional Engineer, a NYS Registered Landscape Architect or other individual(s) endorsed by NYS DEC as qualified to prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).  It should be noted that an approved Feasibility Study is required prior to the execution of a grant agreement.

Applicants are required to submit sufficient information to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed green infrastructure practice(s). The Feasibility Study must specifically address the green infrastructure practice(s) and contain the following elements:

I.   Cover Page (Project Title, Owner, Prepared by and Date)

II.  Executive Summary

III. Project Objective(s

IV.  Existing Conditions

a.  Project Location/Address (including nearest cross street)
b.  Current Land Use
c.  USGS Soil Classification/Bedrock Depth
d.  Site Topography
e.  Stormwater Flowpath (also consider adjacent sites)
f.   Depth to Water Table (Green Infrastructure Practice Dependent)
g.  Nearest/Receiving Waterbody
h.  Other Site Considerations (Wetlands, Hotspots, Brownfield Remediation, etc.)
i.   Boring Logs, Infiltration Tests, or other Subsurface Investigations,
     if applicable, may be required prior to Grant Agreement
     (see item V.c. below)

V.     Project Description

a. Recommended Green Infrastructure Practice(s)
    (See Technical Guidance for Green Infrastructure Projects Table)
b. Feasibility Analysis of Selected Green Infrastructure Practice(s)

i.   Drainage Area
ii.  Site Grading
iii. Stormwater Flowpath (also consider adjacent sites)
iv.  Design Considerations
v.   Green Infrastructure Practice Sizing &
      Water Quality Volume (WQV) Calculation(s) (estimated)

c. Feasible Alternative(s) (to accommodate variables determined
    by site investigations)

VI.   Proposed Project Schedule
VII.  Anticipated Regulatory Approval and Permits

VIII. Project Cost Estimate:  Construction in Current Year Dollars, Engineering, Equipment,
        Legal, Administrative Force Account, Technical Force Account and Contingency

Conceptual Site Plan

I.    Engineer Name, Date and Project Title
II.   North Arrow/Legend
III.  Graphical Scale (1 “ = 10’, 20’, 30’, 40’, 50’, 60’ or 100’)
IV.   Site Features (Wetlands, Nearest Waterbody, Streets, Buildings, etc.)
V.    GI Practice Location/Layout w/ Flowpath (arrow)
VI.   Location Map