Congresswoman Edwards Chairs Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Hearing on the Importance of Green Infrastructure
Press Release
Congresswoman Edwards Chairs Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Hearing on the Importance of Green Infrastructure
Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) chaired a hearing of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment today entitled "Impact of Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development on the Nation's Water Quality, Economy and Communities." The hearing focused on green infrastructure, low impact development, and the use of Recovery Act funds for projects across the country, including Edmonston, Maryland, located in the 4th Congressional District. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Edwards introduced the "Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2009, H.R. 4202." The legislation would establish up to five regional Centers of Excellence for green infrastructure in the United States. The centers would be charged with conducting research on green infrastructure relevant to the geographic region where the center is located, and provide communities with training and technical assistance on how to implement the best green infrastructure management practices.
"Assessing the broad, positive implications of green infrastructure and low impact development is critical to constructing the best legislation possible going forward," said Congresswoman Edwards. "As populations and pollutants continue to increase, it is essential that we take action to protect the nation's water supply. I am pleased that testimony given today supports establishing regional centers of excellence for green infrastructure, which is an integral part of my legislation. These centers are necessary to ensuring that funded projects provide the greatest impact on improving water quality, providing protection from flooding, and eliminating harmful pollutants. It was a privilege to chair today's Subcommittee hearing and I thank all the witnesses who testified for sharing their time and expertise. I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring my legislation to the floor and to continue promoting the use of green infrastructure techniques."
"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds provided a tremendous opportunity to incorporate green infrastructure into our city's main street," said City of Edmonston Mayor Adam Ortiz, who testified at the hearing. "The funds helped make possible a green infrastructure project that brought flood control and quality of life improvements to Edmonston. I commend Congresswoman Edwards for her leadership and steadfast dedication to the issue of green infrastructure, and I look forward to continue working with her in the future."
Green Infrastructure involves stormwater management techniques that include technologies, approaches, and practices that use existing natural systems, or systems engineered to mimic natural processes, to preserve the natural hydrology of an area to help reduce stormwater runoff from hard surfaces. Congresswoman Edwards' legislation would incentivize funding to help communities develop green infrastructure technologies and would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to examine how green infrastructure approaches can be incorporated into clean water programs.
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