Clean Water & Green Infrastructure Agenda
As a state, how and where we build will determine whether the waters of Puget Sound are clean, if our communities are thriving, and if our quality of life is high. If our cities and suburbs are to grow into healthy, vibrant places to work and raise families, we must evolve our approach to where and how we develop, and how we get around.
Washington state is home to some of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world. From Puget Sound to the Skykomish River to Lake Chelan, our waterways have helped shape our regional identity. But they – and we – face a growing threat: polluted runoff.
As our population has grown, new threats to clean water have emerged. Pollution from industry is now eclipsed by the toxic runoff from our streets and roads – from all around us. The polluted runoff is carried from our streets, through our storm systems, and right into our waterways.
In order to solve the problem of polluted runoff, we need to fix the mistakes of the past and ensure we are building, moving around, and growing in ways that absorb water near the source. By advancing these solutions, we can create strong and healthy communities for families to live and work.
Solutions are available
How do we fix decades of building in ways that have made toxic runoff worse? Solutions are available – from using permeable concrete, to installing green roofs, and planting rain gardens. And the technology is improving every day - we just need to get started on adapting the way we approach building and transportation. Communities can be built and retrofitted to reduce toxic runoff, provide transportation alternatives, and ensure our cities can absorb growth while remaining places to people want to live.
Why does this matter?
Our waterways are an essential part of the Northwest way of life – from our economy to our recreation; water is part of our daily lives. We need to protect Puget Sound and rivers and lakes across Washington from polluted runoff and we need to start now.
What role will WEC play?
WEC has a track record of getting things done for Washington’s environment. We advance solutions in the state legislature, collaborate with state agencies, and help lead the Environmental Priorities Coalition. Over the past three years, we have helped educate lawmakers and the public about the problem of polluted runoff – now we need to focus on advancing solutions. With our partner organizations, we are well positioned to make change happen.
How will the success of the agenda be measured?
- We are on a course for clean water. Our communities grow in a way that incorporates the latest green infrastructure techniques and allows for future improvements. New roads, buildings, and development in Washington will not contribute to polluted runoff.
- Our approach to transportation has been reset. Our state will be focused on fixing the roads we have, rather than building more. And we’ll increase transportation options for people who want to get around in ways other than single occupant cars.
- A new way of thinking. The public and decisionmakers will be keenly aware of the connection between how we build and grow, and the health of Puget Sound and waterways across the state.
How will we achieve these goals?
- Retrofit existing roads and storm systems to prevent and filter polluted runoff. We will work to ensure that sustained funding is secured for clean water infrastructure projects throughout the state.
- Ensure communities are built using green technologies and infrastructure. We will work to ensure that the new state municipal stormwater permit requirements have strong, meaningful provisions addressing what, how and where we build to ensure we’re reducing polluted runoff and creating healthy, vibrant communities.
- Increase transportation alternatives. We will work to ensure that Washington makes meaningful new investments in transit, and shape transportation policy decisions to move away from the fossil fuel dependence of the past.
What are some specific projects WEC is working on right now?
- Securing Sustained Clean Water Project Funding . We need a long-term funding mechanism in place that will pay for necessary infrastructure improvements like retrofitting storm drains and installing clean water technologies like bioswales, rain gardens and green roofs. Working with our partners at The Nature Conservancy, we will work to build broad public and political support to secure long-term funding for clean water projects that reduce polluted runoff and build healthier communities and neighborhoods.
- Rethinking Transportation. We are at the cusp of a once in a decade opportunity to shape the future of transportation investments in Washington. As state leaders convene to discuss a potential transportation ballot measure, WEC is at the table pushing for the prioritization of maintenance, transit funding, and water quality investments. Supporting our partners at Transportation Choices Coalition and Futurewise, we are promoting the Transportation for Washington platform for smart investments in a cleaner, greener transportation future.
- Strengthening Standards for New Development. The Department of Ecology is updating its stormwater permit to allow and encourage more use of green infrastructure as a resourceful way to prevent toxic runoff from polluting our waterways. If done right, these rules will help protect our water. The new permits provide a critical opportunity to ensure new buildings and retrofits are done in a way that doesn’t make water pollution worse, while making our neighborhoods and communities more vibrant, healthy places to live. We will collaborate with our partners at People for Puget Sound, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Earthjustice, and Resource Media to ensure that the permit is strengthened.
