In early February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds Natural Estuary Program released two green infrastructure resources for municipalities. The first is a funding resource entitled “Getting to Green: Paying for Green Infrastructure, Finance Options and Resources for Local Decision-Makers.” The report summarizes various funding sources for supporting stormwater management programs or financing individual projects. Sources covered include taxes and general funds, fees, stormwater utilities, grants, bonds, loans, and public-private partnerships. Municipal program examples are included with the discussion of each funding source along with lists of additional resources. A comparative matrix also helps readers compare advantages and disadvantages of funding options.

The second report, Coastal Stormwater Management through Green Infrastructure: A Handbook for Municipalities, was written to assist Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay municipalities with incorporating green infrastructure into their stormwater programs. Its lessons, however, can be applied more broadly, as it covers watershed assessments, site identification and prioritization, site planning, green infrastructure practice selection, conceptual plan development, and effective plan review.