Un'ted States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Green Infrastructure Program
Community Partner Profiles
2011 Partners
REGION 4: Jacksonville, Florida
Community Background
Jacksonville is located on the banks of the St. Johns River in
northeast Florida and is the largest Florida city in both population
and land area. Historically a maritime and industrial city, Jacksonville
experienced economic decline for several decades through the end
EPA Contact
of the 20
decade.
,th
century, but has experienced a renewal in the past
Darryl Williams
US EPA Region 4
61 Forsyth Street, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303
The St. Johns River is impaired for elevated nutrients and bacteria levels in the vicinity of Jacksonville,
and many of the creeks that flow through Jacksonville to the St. Johns River are impaired. The Florida
Department of Environmental Protection has established total daily maximum loads (TMDLs) and with
collaboration from local stakeholders they have developed TMDL implementation plans called Basin
Management Action Plans.
In addition to being named a Green Infrastructure Community Partner in 2011, Jacksonville was
selected to be an Environmental Justice (EJ) Showcase Community in 2010. EJ Showcase Communities
use collaborative, community-based approaches to improve public health and the environment. The
EPA grants $100,000 in funding to help address specific concerns in these disproportionately burdened
communities. EPA Region 4 is working with the City of Jacksonville and numerous local stakeholders to
improve environmental and public health outcomes in an area of Jacksonville that consists of a
predominantly low income and minority population, referred to as Health Zone 1.
Drivers for Green Infrastructure
Jacksonville is attempting to achieve the following goals by introducing green infrastructure into their
community:
1) Reduce runoff that transports nutrients to the St. Johns River. The river is impaired for elevated
nutrients, low dissolved oxygen and elevated bacteria levels as well as other impairments;
2) Reduce local flooding issues associated with impervious cover;
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Green Infrastructure Community Partner Profiles
2011 Partners
3) Improve community aesthetics. Jacksonville is undergoing an urban renewal and transformation
from an industrial city.
Additionally, Health Zone 1 is located adjacent to the St. Johns River immediately north and east of the
city center. The community is concerned about the consumption offish and shellfish caught in local
streams due to historic point source discharges from industrial operations.
Green Strategies and Programs
Jacksonville has already completed a number of activities to support green infrastructure. The city has
established a stormwater utility that is beginning to fund low impact development projects and green
infrastructure techniques for stormwater management. In 2009, the city issued a sustainable building
ordinance to encourage sustainable development practices and provide fast-track permitting for green
projects. Jacksonville has also implemented a series of green infrastructure demonstration projects for
community revitalization and stormwater management, and has held a series of rain barrel workshops.
Looking forward, Jacksonville recognizes that green infrastructure will be a key component to restoring
local water quality and is taking steps to incorporate green infrastructure and low impact development
principles into its community. The city is developing rain barrel and cistern projects for the capture
and reuse of rainwater. Jacksonville also plans to fund a number of green infrastructure
demonstration projects for environmental improvement and community enhancement. Currently, the
city, community stakeholders and EPA are in the process of discussing the location of these
demonstration projects. The city will use the information gathered from implementing the Gl
demonstrations to develop a low impact development manual, and to move toward making green
infrastructure a part of the vocabulary for all city departments. The low impact development manual is
expected to be completed in 2012 and will be used in future development. This manual will
complement the green building ordinance passed in 2009.
For more information: City of Jacksonville: Future of Low Impact Development in Duval County
City of Jacksonville: Drainage Improvement Projects
St. John's Riverkeeper
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