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Senate Bill Would Fund R&D for Natural Processes against Stormwater

  • Jul 12, 2010

U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) have introduced legislation to help address water quality challenges by encouraging the research, development and promotion of new technologies and designs that use natural processes to combat polluted stormwater runoff.

The Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act would establish up to five regional centers of excellence that would spearhead the research and development of new stormwater management techniques, which use soil and plant life to filter stormwater polluted by sediments and chemicals on the surface before it reaches nearby waterbodies. The legislation would also establish a green infrastructure program within the EPA's Office of Water to coordinate and promote the use of new stormwater techniques. EPA's regional offices would complete similar efforts.

The legislation further authorizes technical assistance and project grants to local wastewater utilities for green infrastructure projects that take advantage of these alternative techniques to stormwater management. The legislation does not alter the Clean Water Act's regulatory requirements but rather seeks to expand the options for communities to achieve clean water standards.

The legislation defines "green infrastructure"' as stormwater management techniques that preserve, restore, enhance, or mimic natural hydrology, such as green roofs, porous pavements and ground cover, or vegetated channels and detention areas that reduce the burden of stormwater on wastewater infrastructure and the environment.

The bill is supported by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies; Natural Resources Defense Council; American Rivers; American Public Works Association; Water Environment Federation; Center for Neighborhood Technology; Clean Water Action; and the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Reps. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.), and Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio).

Comments

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 Michigan Mark Michigan

Hello Karen: The point is that somebody has to want these products for a valid reason. The usual reason is that it saves a business or other entity money. Why else would you spend your money on a new product when the existing works? If there are private companies already selling/developing these products, it means these businesses see the ability to make a profit. This means government doesn't need to be there to "provide an expanded base of information". Why should the taxpayer pay for government study when business is already on the ball and is doing the study?

Wed, Jul 14, 2010

Significantly missing from the article is the "source" of the funding ... ha ha like we don't know what that is with this administration by now ... just print more! Correctly spoken previously, there are many technologies out there already studied by Universities and funded by industry - not sure there is a need for more...wonder whose "favorite" university is being funded by this effort?

Wed, Jul 14, 2010 Karen Houston

Implementing even proven stormwater management techniques can be costly. Promoting their use with government support would provided an expanded base of information to evaluate and optimize the technology.

Wed, Jul 14, 2010 Michigan Mark Michigan

Hello: What another waste of tax payer money. This country already has enough studies and even market place products for green roofs (http://www.greengridroofs.com/), porous pavements (http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Sitework/permeable-pavement), etc. We don't on the taxpayer burden when private industry is already on top of it.

Wed, Jul 14, 2010 Edward Florida

I realize that I am a pessimist, but I feel a slippery slope here. I think it is great that there is an interest in investing in new ideas to manage stormwater, but I get a sinking feeling that these new ideas will soon become mandatory ideas.

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