Testimony of Brenda Coley

On February 23, 2021, co-Executive Director of the Milwaukee Water Commons Brenda Coley testified before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on the Water Resources and the Environment Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021 about the importance of water equity and why water infrastructure is an environmental justice issue. In Ms. Coley's words:

"Across the nation there is an urgent need for federal leadership to equitably fund the repair and enhancement of water infrastructure. Our delay in addressing the need to replace aging water infrastructure with more adaptive and resilient water management contributes to ongoing economic and public health crises around our nation. ... Investments in green infrastructure can yield community benefits that are multidimensional. For example, stormwater trees are a unique infrastructure that can be utilized in smaller green spaces to manage precipitation where it falls over a large area. When strategically planted and maintained, trees can also contribute to other economic and public health priorities. Trees impact respiratory and cardiovascular health, can eliminate urban heat islands, create access to fresh food, create habitat for wildlife, reduce energy costs, and their maintenance can create long term employment opportunities. In addition, tree planting and other green infrastructure implementation can support local environmental priorities while also fostering neighborhood placemaking."

Click the link below to read the full written testimony.