Extreme Weather

Green City, Clean Waterfishing

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In 2011, Philadelphia adopted a green infrastructure plan to reduce stormwater pollution entering their combined sewer system called Green City, Clean Waters. By employing green tools instead of just relying on traditional infrastructure like pipes and storage basins, Philadelphia will meet standards set by the Clean Water Act while saving an estimated $5.6 billion over 25 years. To learn more about the details of their plan, and to find great examples of green infrastructure projects on small and large scales, check out their website. (http://www.phillywatersheds.org/) You can also check out a map of all of their current projects here. (http://phl-water.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c5d43ba5291441dabbee5573a3f981d2)

 

Rein in poopthe Runoff

Spring Lake MI, (2hrs west of Ann Arbor)

Rein in the Runoff is a research project lead by Michigan’s Grand Valley State University to identify the social, economic and environmental causes, consequences, and corrective actions in order to minimize the adverse impacts of stormwater discharges within the watershed and ultimately protect Lake Michigan.  A key objective of the program is to increase residents’ general knowledge & understanding of the causes and consequences of stormwater runoff and provide tailored stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) for municipal decision makers’. To download a copy of the Citizen’s Guide (PDF), published in January 2010:

http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/downloads/coastal/rein-in-the-runoff/09-206-Full-Report-and-Appendices.pdf Or visit their website for more informationon the program: http://www.gvsu.edu/wri/director/rein-in-the-runoff-stormwater-integrated-assessment-in-22.htm