EWRI has been invited by the EPA to participate in a Green Infrastructure Collaboration. The purpose of this event is to focus on potential efforts to improve the visibility and use of Green Infrastructure. As you know, EWRI has been a leader in the development of sustainable engineering solutions, so this is a powerful opportunity for our Institute.
The event will take place October 9th in Washington, DC. As part of the event, EPA has asked each participating organization to make commitments in support of the collaborative. The following link will take you to prior commitments made by Federal agencies in support of the collaborative. http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/upload/Federal-Support-for-Green-Infrastructure-Collaborative_508.pdf
A draft commitment statement for EWRI/ASCE was developed by ASCE Government Relations staff. Below is the first draft commitment statement.
The American Society of Civil Engineers has adopted a number of policies that promote the sustainable use of natural resources and encourages civil engineers to contemplate green infrastructure opportunities throughout project design. ASCE will provide the Green Infrastructure Collaborative with personnel and non-financial resources and urge Congress to provide robust funding and support for green infrastructures initiatives. For example, a number of new green infrastructure opportunities exist in the recently passed WRRDA, however, no funds have yet been allocated for these important new programs. ASCE will advocate for full funding of WIFIA, the Water Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Pilot Program, Watershed Pilot Projects and changes to the SRF program that permit more flexibility for green infrastructure projects. ASCE will communicate with its 145,000 civil engineering members and our Board of Directors on the progress and importance of the Green Infrastructure Collaborative through executive updates, ASCE's website, blogs, social media and our weekly newsletter This Week In Washington.
ASCE, its committees and technical Institutes are fully committed to the principles of sustainable development (Policy Statement 418), urging civil engineers to serve as agents of change "through the information we provide, the decisions we make and those we influence." Informing, promoting, integrating and implementing sustainable practices are a part of the ASCE culture across the spectrum of its civil engineering disciplines. ASCE's Environmental & Water Resources Institute specifically commits to promoting sustainable green infrastructure practices by conducting research and disseminating information on stormwater management best practices, low impact development, and focusing the attention of those involved in environmental and water resources engineering on the ways in which sustainable development principles can and must lead to broader collaboration with other engineering and professional disciplines.
This is an opportunity for our Institute to act on EWRI Strategic Initiative # 5. The Governing Board is looking for additional input, both on our commitment statement, and on any points which should be raised during our discussions. Please let us know if you have any comments that can help as we prepare for this event.
Thank you!
Paul Bizier, President-Elect, EWRI
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Paul Bizier P.E., BCEE, F.ASCE
Vice-President
Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon
Nashville TN
(615)254-1500
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