Commentary: How Austin will promote green stormwater infrastructure.
opinion By Mayor Steve Adler , Ann Kitchen , Leslie Pool , Alison Alter and and Brian Zabcik – Special to the American-Statesman 0 If you’ve shopped at Austin plant nurseries, you’ve probably seen this sign: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
At its June 15 meeting, the Austin City Council passed a resolution calling for an increase in the use of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to help reduce pollution, flooding and erosion caused by runoff.
Rain gardens, bioswales and green roofs rely on native plants and soil mixes to filter runoff and let it soak into the soil or evaporate into the air.
Cities now use GSI features for stormwater management because they can sharply cut runoff.
Austin Water Utility has been exploring greater use of stormwater as part of its long-term planning process.
Most importantly, the resolution follows up on a recommendation made five years ago in Imagine Austin — a 30-year vision for the city — by calling for the development of an Integrated Green Infrastructure Plan.
As Austinites install more rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavement and rain-harvesting systems, we’ll help clean up our creeks, rivers and lakes.
But we’ll also save taxpayers’ dollars, since reducing the runoff burden on the city’s existing stormwater infrastructure will extend its utility life.
We can carry on the Texas tradition of cisterns and stock tanks — but to keep our city’s urban environment green, healthy and sustainable.