Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State of Maryland recently announced an expansion of the Green Streets, Green Towns, Green Jobs Initiative (G3). The program will receive $3.4 million in funding from 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.
The G3 program is intended to to help municipalities and nonprofit organizations support projects that add green space and reduce stormwater runoff by using green infrastructure practices that increase tree canopy, capture and filter rainwater, and improve watershed protection, community livability, and economic vitality.
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.
EPA is providing $300,000 and the Chesapeake Bay Trust is providing $100,000 for G3 projects bringing the total of available funding to $3.4 million over the next two years.
EPA and the Chesapeake Bay Trust created G3 in 2011 to support projects 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.
G3 projects 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 program 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
source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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