The Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act (HR 4202) has been introduced by Representatives Edwards (MD), Carnagan (MO) and Driehaus (OH) into the House of Representatives. By funding and promoting both research and on-the-ground green projects, this bill will help protect and restore our water resources while providing Americans with thousands of green jobs, energy savings and better health and well-being.
Many of the current pollution problems we have with surface water quality are the direct result of too much pavement. Stormwater that runs off of our driveways, streets and parking lots carries all sorts of pollutants into our rivers, streams & eventually into the ocean. For many years running, polluted stormwater runoff has been the number one culprit behind beach closures and swimming advisories.
Low Impact Development (LID) and the use of Green Infrastructure, is a relatively new approach to urban planning that aims to maintain and restore the water cycle in developed watersheds. Green Infrastructure Best Management Practices (BMPs) are designed to infiltrate, filter, store and treat stormwater close to its source. Examples of green BMPs include natural buffer areas, green streets, green roofs, permeable pavements and various rainwater capturing technologies.
The Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act proposes to establish Centers of Excellence for Green Infrastructure whose purposed will be to conduct research and to provide technical assistance to state and local governments. This bill will also establish a federal grant program to fund planning, construction & monitoring of Green Infrastructure projects. Special consideration for these grants will be given to low-income and communities with combined sewer systems. Additionally, this bill will establish a Green Infrastructure Program housed within the EPA's Office of Water. The full text of this bill can be read here.
Participate in the Surfrider's action alert and send your Representative a letter urging them to co-sponsor the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act. Just click here.
To learn more about Green Infrastructure visit EPA's website or the Surfrider Foundations Coastal A-Z on Low Impact Development.
I participated and sent the alert out to my address list - take action america!
ReplyDeleteAlso very important to consider: COMPOSTING.
ReplyDeleteIf the soil is rich and fertile, it will hold whatever limited water available much better.
By adding compostable material to my garden, I've made it much more drought tolerant.
I never thought in a million years I would say this: I LOVE WORMS!
Do your share... collect rainwater in catchments... use a graywater system, if allowed in your area... conserve water.... recycle... be an activist... go to public meetings regarding water use and storm runoff...protect river inflow into estuaries... water is more important than oil... and will only increase in value... control of water will be control of the future.
ReplyDeleteCarrie - where do you get your worms. I've been composting for a year - all household scraps and have had success with no worms. do they help that much?
ReplyDeleteYou can get worms at your local nursery, Whole Foods, or here:
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I received some concerns about the $350 million of proposed funding in this bill. My response is posted here. http://knowyourh2o.blogspot.com/2010/02/clean-water-costs-money-dirty-water.html
ReplyDeleteFor many years running, polluted stormwater runoff has been the number one culprit behind beach closures and swimming advisories.
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Many of the current pollution problems we have with surface water quality are the direct result of too much pavement.
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ReplyDeleteFor a greener environment we must learn to recycle things and resources about us. What most people always take for granted is conserving water. Yes, water is always there. But the increasing world population can cause water shortage. We must learn how to use water right so that it can still sustain people’s needs for the future millenniums. There are a lot of ways to save water, one of which is recycling stormwater (BMP). By undergoing right process stormwater (BMPS) is turned into a safe drinking water not only for us but for all of us living in this planet.
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