Water and Stormwater



Economic vitality, homeland security, quality of life, and natural ecosystems all rely on ample, clean water supplies. By adopting strategies to control run-off, such as effective stormwater management, we can begin to reduce non-point source pollution. The American Society of Landscape Architects continues to advocate for these and other measures, which encourage wiser use of this precious and finite resource. Federal Advocacy EPA’s Proposed National Rulemaking to Strengthen the Stormwater Program: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a national rulemaking to establish a comprehensive program to reduce stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment and make other improvements to strengthen its stormwater program. During this rulemaking process, EPA is expected to examine, analyze and evaluate green infrastructure design techniques that mimic natural water processes that infiltrate and recharge, evapotranspire, and/or harvest and reuse precipitation. To help make the case for green infrastructure solutions, ASLA released a report Banking on Green: How Green Infrastructure Saves Municipalities Money and Provides Economic Benefits Community-wide that highlights how green infrastructure saves communities money and provides a host of other benefits. In addition, ASLA members submitted over 475 case studies to demonstrate to EPA how green infrastructure design techniques are highly-effective and cost-efficient approaches to improve the quality of our nation’s water supply. Learn more \| Submit Your Projects Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act: Stormwater runoff is a serious threat to the nation’s waterways and public health, costing Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year in increased drinking water treatment costs. Fortunately, the U.S. Congress is beginning to recognize that green infrastructure provides an effective, cost-efficient and environmentally sound approach to reducing storm water and combined sewer overflow pollution. With the introduction of H.R. 2030/S. 1115, the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act, Congress would encourage states and municipalities to utilize green infrastructure techniques to address water quality and quantity and stormwater management issues. Learn more \| Write Your Representative Safe Treatment of Polluted Stormwater (STOPS) Runoff Act: Senator Benjamin Cardin (MD), Chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has introduced S. 898, the Safe Treatment of Polluted Stormwater (STOPS) Runoff Act, legislation aimed at treating and containing stormwater runoff at or near highways to prevent polluted stormwater from reaching nearby rivers, streams or other waters. Specifically, the measure would require that new and rehabilitated federal transportation projects are sited and designed to maintain or restore pre-development hydrology levels. Learn more. Public Policies Coastal Zones (pdf) Environmental Sustainability (pdf) Open Space (pdf) Public Lands (pdf) Vegetation in the Built Environment (pdf) Water Quality and Conservation (pdf) Waterways (pdf) Wetlands (pdf) See full list of ASLA Public Policies Advocacy Partners American Rivers Clean Water Network Environmental Protection Agency - Green Infrastructure Natural Resources Defense Council Resources General Resources: Federal Government Web Portal – FirstGov Code of Federal Regulations U.S. Code – Federal Statutes Federal Register The Official Daily Publication of Federal Rules, Notices of Rule Making Procedures, and Agency Announcements Government Printing Office U.S. House U.S. House Legislative Calendar U.S Senate U.S. Senate Legislative Calendar Thomas - House/Senate Bills & Resolutions The White House The Supreme Court Federal Courts	Green Infrastructure Read ASLA’s Statement Check Out Web Resources