[미국] EPA, 미국 동부지역서 80만3천달러 규모 빗물관리 계획수립

미국환경보호국과 메릴랜드 자연에너지부와 제휴 관계인 췌사피크 베이 트러스트(Chesapeake Bay Trust)는 “녹색 길, 녹색 도시, 녹색 일” 그랜트 이니셔티브(G3) 관련 17개 단체가 수여할 $803,489 보조금을 발표했다. 이 프로그램은 2011년에 만들어져서, 일자리를 만들고 지역사회를 더욱 살기 좋게 만드는데 도움을 주는 녹색 빗물관리 기술을 발전시킴으로서 강 유역보호와 경제 활성화를 이끌었다.

오늘 발표는 펜실베니아 중심부를 발전시킬 계획인 5개 프로젝트를 포함하여, 메릴랜드, 버지니아, 워싱턴DC, 서부 버지니아에 또 다른 12개의 새로운 계획을 포함하고 있다.

EPA지방담당관 숀 M. 갈빈은 “이 기금은 지역사회가 더 나은 삶의 질로 이끄는 오염방지, 녹색 화, 일자리 창출의 선순환을 일으켜서 지속가능한 환경과 경제로의 전환을 도울 것이다. 빗물이 우선 오염원에 닿는 것을 방지하여, 녹색 인프라 사업은 우리 물을 건강하게 하는 동시에 홍수를 줄이고 지역사회가 기후변화에 잘 대응할 수 있게 돕는다.“고 말했다.

 
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EPA DESIGNATES $803,489 FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IN EASTERN US

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, in partnership with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, announced $803,489 in grants to be awarded to 17 organizations through the “Green Streets, Green Towns, Green Jobs” Grant Initiative (G3). This program was created in 2011 to advance watershed protection and economic vitality by developing green stormwater management techniques that create jobs and help make communities more livable.

Today’s announcement includes five projects designed to improve central Pennsylvania, as well as twelve other initiatives in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

"These funds help communities transition to a sustainable environment and economy by creating a cycle of pollution prevention, greening and job creation - leading to a better quality of life," said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "By keeping rain water from coming into contact with pollution in the first place, green infrastructure improves the health of our waters, while reducing flooding, and helping our communities become more resilient to climate change."

The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region, the host for today’s grant announcement, is one of 17 grant recipients. Their $29,760 grant will help build a stormwater management system to control runoff, and demonstrate the benefits of green infrastructure in the capital. This grant will also help achieve Harrisburg’s Comprehensive Plan to increase plantings to help control and absorb stormwater, and offset the urban heat island effect.

"Our goal through our new Salvation Army facility is to transform our community in a positive way. Diligent attention is being given to the local environment which enables us to provide more effective programs and services. For instance, incorporating vegetable gardens and green space into our facility design will enable us to teach and emphasize 'farm to table' concepts to kids in our youth programs, and to adults and families through our Nutrition Education and Family Services programs. This is an efficient and effective way to feed and teach hungry people in our community, while also demonstrating responsible stewardship of our environment in Harrisburg and beyond," said Major John Griner, Corps Officer at the Salvation Army.

“Congratulations to the Salvation Army Harrisburg on being awarded the G3 Grant to manage its stormwater drainage. The Salvation Army has taken an important step in securing the resources needed to protect our environment and improve the quality of life for all of our residents,” states The Honorable Eric Papenfuse, Harrisburg’s Mayor.

In addition to the project at the Salvation Army, the other grantees announced today will lead efforts that include the removing impervious surfaces, expanding urban tree canopy, creating bioretention cells, and many other green infrastructure practices.

“The Chesapeake Bay Trust has been so pleased to partner with EPA and Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources on this program, combining forces and resources to provide opportunities for area residents to make a difference in their own neighborhoods and for their local waterways and community spaces,” said Dr. Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “We want to provide local jurisdictions and neighborhood associations the tools and incentives to use green techniques when embarking on larger infrastructure projects, and to replace impervious surface with green where we can.”

The G3 Grant Program, administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, helps support President Obama’s Executive Order for Protecting and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay. “Green Streets” grants support clean water and foster community development by helping to fund local grass-roots efforts to increase green spaces, and reduce runoff. The program is open to local governments, non-profit organizations, and neighborhood and community associations. Grants of up to $20,000 are available for research, $30,000 for planning and design, and $75,000 for implementing green infrastructure projects.

[출처 = Water World / 2016년 7월 1일]