BALTIMORE - E.P.A. Administrator Gina McCarthy and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley today announced an expansion of the Green Streets, Green Towns, Green Jobs Initiative (G3) thanks to a joint investment of $3.4 million by the State of Maryland, EPA, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
The G3 grant program, which is administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, helps support President Obama's Executive Order for Protecting and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay. Its purpose is to help municipalities and nonprofit organizations support plans that add green space and reduce stormwater runoff by using green infrastructure practices that increase tree canopy, capture and filter rainwater, and enhance watershed protection, community livability, and economic vitality.
"Supporting investments in green jobs and green infrastructure is critical in our effort to help our economy, protect the environment, and reduce carbon pollution," said E.P.A. Administrator Gina McCarthy. "EPA's expanded partnership with the State of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay Trust will support plans to enhance water quality and economic vitality in the region through the G3 program. This backing provides another example of Governor O'Malley's innovative leadership when it comes to meeting the State's commitments to restoring local waters and the Bay."
"We are very pleased to partner with the E.P.A. and the Chesapeake Bay Trust in the G3 Initiative, which supports local greening efforts that enhance our neighborhoods and our environment, and create green jobs," said Governor O'Malley. "Through this partnership we are making a significant investment in Maryland communities that will further our progress toward 3 critical goals: restoring our Bay, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and expanding our forest cover." Maryland's $3 million investment comes from the urban tree canopy allocation in the State's FY '14 Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund which is administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. E.P.A. is providing $300,000 and the Chesapeake Bay Trust is providing $100,000 for G3 plans bringing the total of accessible backing to $3.4 million over the next 2 years. By creating a one-stop shop, this collaboration will more effectively maximize resources and target funds, while reducing the administrative burden on local governments.
"Through the G3 initiative, the Chesapeake Bay Trust has been able to work with cities and towns throughout the region to implement meaningful stormwater management and greening plans that enhance water quality and better local communities," said Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. "We are so pleased that the state of Maryland has joined as a partner in this initiative at such a strong scale, and look forward to working with them and the E.P.A. to expand the scope of the plan and its results."
"Stormwater is the fastest-growing water quality problem, for the Chesapeake Bay and across the country. We know that there are some useful approaches to the problem," said Senator Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water Subcommittee. "Instead of relying only on the old, gray infrastructure, we can build our roads and cities to include permeable materials, non-structural alternatives, and other green infrastructure solutions. The grants being announced today support exactly these kinds of proactive solutions that can only be accomplished through strong federal-state and local partnerships."
"This partnership between the State of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and the E.P.A. to expand the G3 plan means that communities throughout the Bay watershed will have a helping hand in their efforts to become greener and more environmentally friendly," said Congressman Sarbanes. "Investing in innovative solutions that enhance the health of the Chesapeake Bay is good for our environment and our economy."
E.P.A. and the Chesapeake Bay Trust created G3 in 2011 to support plans that reduce stormwater runoff through the creation of "green streets." A green street is one that minimizes the environmental impact of a roadway by practices such as reducing the amount of water that is piped directly into streams and rivers; creating rain gardens; installing urban tree canopy; using energy efficient lighting; and encouraging pedestrian and bicycle access. Green streets also provide aesthetic and economic benefits.
G3 plans increase stormwater management and treatment, empowering communities and states to better meet water quality goals, improving livability and walkability of communities, increasing tree canopy and air quality, and contributing to the economic well-being of communities through adding green elements to business districts and creating green jobs.
The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns grant plan is open to local governments and nonprofit organizations interested in pursuing urban green stormwater infrastructure and green jobs as part of an integrated community or watershed plan.
For more information on the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program, please visit
www.cbtrust.org
