The Clean Water America Alliance released a report, “Barriers and Gateways to Green Infrastructure,” as part of the Virtual H2O conference. It is based on a national survey conducted last spring that solicited more than 200 utilities, NGO’s, government and private entities to determine what sorts of obstacles they experienced when implementing programs.
“Green infrastructure comes in many shades and slices and so do the benefits and barriers,” Clean Water Alliance President Ben Grumbles said. “Green infrastructure pioneers need support, guidelines and assurances to create the foundation of practice needed for more common adoption. A sustained campaign of education and collaboration will reduce risk and uncertainty and open the door for more communities and organizations to shift the paradigm from gray to green.”
The report summarizes the results of the survey and is informed by the ongoing green infrastructure research and education programs of the Alliance.
Recommendations were developed and refined through conversations with partner organizations, including American Rivers, The Conservation Fund, Low Impact Development Center, Smart Growth America and the Urban Water Sustainability Council.
Key recommendations include urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to use new storm water regulations and permits to help drive green infrastructure, fully measure and account for economic and environmental benefits, embrace regional flexibility and results-oriented approaches, and focus increased federal funding for green infrastructure initiatives.
Coordination among other federal agencies is critical, especially the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Transportation.
Source: The Clean Water America Alliance
