On April 30, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $860,000 to help 14 communities expand their use of green infrastructure to reduce water pollution and boost climate change resilience, which supports President Obama’s Climate Action Plan.

Funding for the 14 communities spans states from Maine to California. Beyond funding stormwater infrastructure, EPA also is supporting human health, job creation, energy savings, and open space. For instance, money will go toward building a rooftop vegetable garden in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and to developing green infrastructure practice criteria suited for ultra-urban environments in Denver. In Fall River, Massachusetts, the money will help with the design of tree plantings for addressing combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

Green infrastructure also builds resilience to the effects of climate change, in large part by reducing the burden on local water infrastructure. In Norfolk, Virginia, assistance will help address shoreline erosion and determine how sea level rise could affect green infrastructure methodology. Green infrastructure also can help cities improve economically and revitalize neighborhoods. In Saint Paul, Minnesota, grant funds will help produce a green infrastructure feasibility study for a waterfront stormwater park in a vacated industrial area that is undergoing redevelopment. In Scranton, Pennsylvania, green infrastructure will help prevent CSOs as part of the master plan for a newly developing arts district. Read more.