The Stormwater Transformation and Enhancement Program (STEP) is bringing new life and renewed utility to the High Line Canal. Through the leadership of STEP, parts of the Canal are being transformed into a green infrastructure system to provide stormwater quality management.

And we are getting noticed! STEP inspired the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to select the Canal as a case study to apply their Augmented Alternative Analysis (AAA) method as the Canal transitions.

What is AAA? AAA is a framework that helps water utilities and water resource managers make smart infrastructure choices. It does so by incorporating community priorities with technical evaluations, which results in affordable and effective solutions.

This work could not have been done without community input that helped determine priorities. From these priorities, four goals were determined and then objectives and metrics were established to quantify the benefits of programs.

You can see how the AAA framework was applied for STEP in this summary document. But if you are dying to learn more about STEP and the AAA framework, you can also read the full case study.

STEP is one of many projects the Conservancy works on to preserve, protect and enhance the Canal. Learn more about STEP and other projects such as tree planting and tree canopy care.

Pictures: Water quality berm near Eisenhower Park before & after a storm.