The City of Portland’s Innovative Wet Weather Program supports projects that effectively manage stormwater as close to its source as possible and use vegetation to slow, retain and filter stormwater. Using green infrastructure to manage stormwater in the urban environment contributes to healthy watersheds.

Between 2002 and 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted the city $3.4 million to fund over 30 innovative public and private projects throughout Portland that demonstrate sustainable, low-impact stormwater management solutions. In addition to managing stormwater, these green infrastructure projects provide traffic-calming, bike parking, place-making and community-building.

Integrating green infrastructure into our built environment benefits community livability, public health, and the economy. Just as parks, natural areas and open space are important for a city, so are small, localized green spaces like rain gardens, green streets, ecoroofs, and trees. Bringing nature into the city can improve our mental and physical health, enhance social interactions, increase property values, and reduce energy demand.

Green infrastructure also makes pipe infrastructure work more efficiently and minimizes the need for more expensive pipe solutions. Green infrastructure helps our cities become more resilient to the effects of a changing climate.