July, 09 2010, 11:16am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Katherine Baer, American Rivers, 202-347-7550
Amy Kober, American Rivers, 206-898-3864
Steve Wise, Center for Neighborhood Technology, 773-269-4042
'Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2010' Introduced to Senate
American Rivers Applauds Senators Udall and Whitehouse for Their Leadership on Clean Water Issues
WASHINGTON
American Rivers, the nation's leading river conservation
organization, is pleased to announce that Senator Udall (D. NM) and
Senator Whitehouse (D. RI) have introduced the 'Green Infrastructure
for Clean Water Act of 2010' (S. 3561) to the Senate.
Green infrastructure offers a 21st century approach to managing our
nation's stormwater. By replicating, restoring, and protecting the
natural hydrology of the landscape, water is infiltrated where it
falls, filtering out contaminants and reducing the volume of stormwater
that overwhelms our water infrastructure systems. From the neighborhood
scale rain barrel to a watershed scale system of green roofs, permeable
pavements, and wetland restoration, green infrastructure has the
flexibility and economic viability to protect and restore clean water
supplies for communities.
Says Katherine Baer, Senior Director, Clean Water Program at
American Rivers, "This legislation emphasizes the importance of green
infrastructure as a cost-effective alternative to traditional hard
infrastructure fixes. By establishing a precedent of green
infrastructure solutions, this approach can become a new norm rather
than just a demonstration."
"It's time for Congress to move green infrastructure to center stage
in our national water strategy," said Jacky Grimshaw, Vice President
for Policy at the Center for Neighborhood Technology in Chicago. "Green
infrastructure creates healthier, more vital communities, protects
clean water, saves energy, and helps to build green jobs. The Green
Infrastructure for Clean Water Act will extend EPA's partnership toward
sustainable communities by expanding cost- and ecologically effective
green infrastructure."
This bill will increase research and development of innovative
green infrastructure techniques, promote the use of green
infrastructure in permitting and regulations within EPA, and provide
incentive funding to communities to plan, develop, and install green
infrastructure technologies.
American Rivers is the only national organization standing up for healthy rivers so our communities can thrive. Through national advocacy, innovative solutions and our growing network of strategic partners, we protect and promote our rivers as valuable assets that are vital to our health, safety and quality of life. Founded in 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and supporters nationwide, with offices in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, California and Northwest regions.
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