Great Lakes States Eye Green Infrastructure Boost With EPA Funds, Policy

摘要

Great Lakes states are urging EPA and Congress to encourage communities to use green infrastructure methods to address stormwater pollution by developing performance-based requirements for runoff control, fully funding the clean water state revolving fund (CWSRF) and explicitly mentioning green infrastructure in policy documents. The recommendations are outlined in a new report from the Great Lakes Commission, which says that while there are numerous opportunities for communities to implement green infrastructure, there remains little incentive for them to do so unless they already have a strong interest. The commission represents all eight states that are part of the Great Lakes watershed: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The report is available onInsideEPA.com. (Doc. ID: 214954) The report includes a suite of practices designed to restore natural hydrological function in its definition of green infrastructure (GI), including engineered nature-based solutions like bioswales and rain gardens, existing natural areas of infiltration such as wetland or forests, the use of low-impact development and systems that imitate natural infiltration like pervious pavement.