Stormwater Credit Trading

Why We Need Green Infrastructure

Why We Need Green Infrastructure

Making Detroit’s GSI Count

Making Detroit's Green Stormwater Infrastructure Count

Detroit faces significant challenges from unmanaged stormwater, including surface flooding and combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The increased rainfall volumes and intensity expected with climate change will only add to this risk. Therefore, stormwater management that can address increased rainfall, reduce downstream pollution, and support healthy communities will play a critical role in the future of Detroit and the surrounding region.

In this report, The Nature Conservancy in Michigan examines 1) the ongoing needs for stormwater management in Detroit, 2) the opportunity to leverage stormwater management into broader impact, 3) the approaches and perceptions of stormwater management designers, and 4) the costs and benefits of a suite of existing stormwater management projects.

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Where Rivers Are Born

Where Rivers Are Born: The Scientific Imperative for Defending Small Streams and Wetlands

Our nation’s network of rivers, lakes, and streams originates from a myriad of small
streams and wetlands, many so small they do not appear on any map. Yet these headwater streams and wetlands exert critical influences on the character and quality of downstream waters. The natural processes that occur in such headwater systems benefit humans by mitigating flooding, maintaining water quality and quantity, recycling nutrients, and providing habitat for plants and animals. This American Rivers paper summarizes the scientific basis for understanding that the health and productivity of rivers and lakes depends upon intact small streams and wetlands.

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Banking on Green

Banking on Green

The impacts of stormwater pollution and the need to provide stormwater prevention, management, and treatment all create costs for communities and their residents. These costs can often be offset or reduced by making different choices about how we build communities and infrastructure. By incorporating “green infrastructure” practices in efforts to control stormwater runoff, communities and property developers can reduce energy costs, diminish the impacts of flooding, improve public health, and reduce overall infrastructure costs. In addition, these practices, which rely on natural processes like evaporation, infiltration, and plant transpiration, can effectively and affordably complement traditional “grey” infrastructure, giving stormwater managers the ability to create integrated solutions to better serve their communities. Shifting to this new paradigm also creates more sustainable communities that are better able to meet future challenges, especially in the face of a changing climate.

This American Rivers report focuses on the economic impacts caused by polluted urban runoff, also known as “stormwater,” a significantly growing source of water pollution in the United States. It’s intended to be an “easy to read” compendium of current experiences, analysis and knowledge. Our goal is to provide something useful for municipal and utility officials, local, state and national elected representatives, and the general public.

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Using CWSRFs for Greening & Climate Resilience

Using Clean Water State Revolving Funds for Greening and Climate Resilience

For more than thirty years, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund has been a critical funding stream used by local governments and utilities for the cleanup of water quality in rivers across the United States. Following the 2022 infusion of federal infrastructure funding, this program (which is implemented a little bit differently in each state) now offers transformational opportunities to communities challenged by historic disinvestment, environmental degradation, and climate change.

This American Rivers guide clarifies key tenets of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and provides guidance to municipal and utility staff on how to access the funds available through the program for green, climate-resilient projects that help protect and restore our nation’s rivers.

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Gateway Gardens: Local Clean Water Investment Model

Gateway Gardens: A Local Investment Model For Clean Water

As communities across the country are facing needed upgrades to their water infrastructure, many are turning to green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) for a more integrated approach to clean water, greening, and public health. But GSI presents some unique challenges to existing pathways for public infrastructure funding. At the same time, there are unique benefits that, if visible, can be leveraged to draw support from the private sector.

American Rivers' Gateway Garden model is an innovative approach to attracting private investment to benefit communities and help municipalities overcome stormwater management challenges. Gateway Gardens are a type of GSI that is strategically located at the entranceway or “gateway” to a community for maximum visibility. They provide opportunities for local businesses to invest in clean water projects in exchange for the direct benefit of sign advertisement and the indirect benefit of an enhanced community.

Click the link below to learn more about the Gateway Garden model.

Establishing a Stormwater Volume Credit Trading Program

Establishing a Stormwater Volume Credit Trading Program

American Rivers guidance on how to establish stormwater credit trading programs. The guidance is designed for communities interested in exploring non-traditional approach to address stormwater challenges and describes the history and fundamentals of stormwater volume credit trading, primarily through the lens of the design for a proposed trading program in Grand Rapids,
Michigan. It is the product of a collaboration between staff from American Rivers, Corona Environmental Consulting, and the Water Environment Federation, working together under the tradename Stormwater Currency.

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Value of Partnerships in Reducing MS4 Compliance Cost

Value of Partnerships in Reducing MS4 Compliance Cost

Developed by American Rivers in cooperation with the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds and the City of Grand Rapids Environmental Services Department, this report examines the opportunities the private sector and non-traditional partners can provide to improve efficiency for municipal stormwater managers in meeting regulatory obligations, fostering watershed collaboration, and engaging public participation in reducing stormwater runoff.

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Guidebook for Strengthening Community Resiliency

Kewaunee: A Guidebook for Strengthening Community Resiliency

Communities along Lake Michigan are mitigating complex challenges related to coastal erosion, flooding, and deteriorating infrastructure compounded by drastic shift in weather patterns. Adopting forward-thinking strategies can address immediate concerns and strengthen long-term resilience.

In partnership with municipal leaders in the City of Kewaunee, American Rivers, WaterNow Alliance, and One Water Econ developed recommendations to leverage natural infrastructure investments for enhanced community resiliency and prosperity for the City. This Funding & Benefits guidebook highlights these recommended funding options for priority projects as well as how these investments will enhance the community and provide valuable recreational amenities for Kewaunee residents.

Click below to download the guidebook.