PROVIDENCE, RI – In an effort to reduce pollution and protect public health, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today joined with Governor Lincoln D. Chafee, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Administrator Gina McCarthy, and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline and others to announce a new $75,000 “green infrastructure” grant in support of Rhode Island’s efforts to reduce water pollution. 

Green infrastructure uses natural and constructed features to remove contaminants, reduce the intensity of the runoff, and treat stormwater in a way that mimics nature.

This federal funding will be used to expand Rhode Island’s use of green infrastructure and support the design and construction of up to four projects in the Providence metro area.  The projects will showcase what green infrastructure actually is, how it works, and raise awareness of the challenges associated with stormwater management.  Ultimately, the projects will help protect Narragansett Bay, as well as local streams and rivers from the type of dirty water and even sewage overflow caused by heavy rainfalls.

“I appreciate Administrator McCarthy’s hard work and leadership in safeguarding our environment and strengthening our economy.  This new federal green infrastructure funding will help Rhode Island find innovative, cost-effective approaches to managing stormwater and reducing pollution,” said Reed, the Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Committee, which includes oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  “This is a smart investment in making Providence greener and cleaner.  Green infrastructure is both a viable and cost-effective stormwater management tool that improves water quality, mitigates flooding, and helps build more livable neighborhoods.”

“Investing in green infrastructure pays off for our environment and our economy. It reduces water pollution and energy consumption. It creates jobs and boosts local economic activity,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “And these investments help local communities build resilient systems to protect from severe storms, floods, and other impacts of climate change.”

“Through supporting the design and building of ‘green infrastructure’ to address the detrimental effects of  stormwater runoff, Rhode Island will be able to improve efforts to protect local streams and rivers, as well as our beautiful coastline,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said. “In addition, the project will help raise public awareness of the innovative solutions available to reduce flooding and stormwater pollution.”

“Protecting our environment takes more than reducing our carbon footprint. We are fortunate to possess technology that minimizes our environmental impact on all fronts, and this grant supports those efforts here in Rhode Island,” said Congressman Jim Langevin. “I look forward to seeing green infrastructure projects expand locally, and I hope this initiative will educate Rhode Islanders and inspire them to take an active role in protecting our watershed.”

“I am proud to take part in announcing new federal funding to support investments in green infrastructure development here in Rhode Island,” said Cicilline. “As we continue our work to get Rhode Island’s economy back on the right track, we need to keep supporting green collar jobs like these for hardworking men and women in every city and town across this state.”

“Polluted storm water hurts public health, harms Narragansett Bay, and makes our communities less attractive to businesses and residents,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.  “I thank EPA for making this investment in Providence, and I look forward to working with Administrator McCarthy to continue protecting public health by fighting the effects of climate change.”

“Improving our water quality in Providence enhances our quality of life and supports a healthier community,” said Mayor Angel Taveras. “I thank Senator Reed and Rhode Island's Congressional delegation for securing this important EPA grant. These funds will support the development of long-term regional solutions to address flooding and improve water quality in our rivers, ponds and Narragansett Bay.”

Polluted runoff – or stormwater – is one of the nation’s most challenging and widespread sources of continuing water quality problems. It is particularly acute in urban areas that are characterized by impervious surfaces associated with dense existing development.  In these areas, conventional end-of-pipe treatment can be extremely expensive and complex to install.  These EPA projects will demonstrate the feasibility of retrofitting existing stormwater discharges using engineered green infrastructure (GI) / low impact development (LID) stormwater best management practices (BMP).  Unlike traditional stormwater infrastructure, which uses pipes to dispose of rainwater, GI/LID techniques use vegetation and soil to manage rainwater where it falls.  By weaving natural processes into developed infrastructure, GI/LID provides not only stormwater management, but also flood mitigation, air quality management, and much more. 

The federal funding administered by the EPA is in support of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, which directs federal agencies to identify climate-resilient investments such as agency grants and technical assistance for communities across the country. 

Administrator McCarthy, who was previously head of the EPA’s air pollution office, was also joined at the event by Curt Spalding, EPA’s Regional Administrator for New England and a former Executive Director of Save The Bay in Rhode Island.