Innovative Storm Water Legislation Introduced

Sen. Tom Udall and Rep. Donna Edwards introduced the Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act of 2013, which will provide essential tools for communities looking at investing in advanced storm water strategies to manage polluted runoff and protect clean water.

Polluted runoff carries contaminants into rivers and streams that impact public health as well as reduce the water quality and biotic integrity in receiving waters. Examples of these impacts include beach closures and shutdowns of fisheries. Additionally, increased runoff volumes can lead to more frequent and devastating flood impacts, which can impact private property and public infrastructure.

The bill provides much-needed support in managing polluted runoff and sewage overflows through green infrastructure, while also providing new jobs, cost savings and environmental benefits. More specifically, the Senate (Udall) S.1677 and House (Edwards) HR 3449 bills establish five Centers of Excellence across America for storm water control and management, invests in grants for community-based storm water projects and promotes innovative stormwater infrastructure within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

This bill was assigned to a congressional committee on Nov. 12, 2013, which will consider it before possibly sending it on to the House or Senate as a whole.

Source: Water Environment Federation, Green For All