Number
190342
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
171053, 180527
Sponsor
ALD. JOHNSON, KOVAC, BAUMAN, MURPHY, and BORKOWSKI
Title
Resolution adopting a Green Infrastructure Plan for the City of Milwaukee.
Analysis
This resolution adopts a Green Infrastructure Plan for the City of Milwaukee. Common Council file 171053 directed the Environmental Collaboration Office to develop a comprehensive green infrastructure plan for Milwaukee’s Combined Sewer Area. Council file 180527 expressed support for the City of Milwaukee’s Framework for Green Infrastructure Plan. This resolution adopts the finished Green Infrastructure Plan that was written from the framework approved by the Council.
Body
Whereas, During wet-weather events, large volumes of stormwater enter the local sewerage system, increasing the volume of wastewater that the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) must convey and treat; and
Whereas, During wet-weather events, stormwater can overwhelm the local sewerage system, causing combined sanitary and stormwater flows to back up through floor drains and flood basements of homes and businesses; and
Whereas, climate change is predicted to increase the risk of large wet-weather events; and
Whereas, Green infrastructure, which refers to any combination of landscaping, facilities or equipment that captures rain, at or near the site where it falls, by infiltration into the soil, evapotranspiration by plants, or storage for beneficial re-use, reduces the volume of stormwater in the sewerage system, thereby reducing water treatment needs, improving water quality, reducing grey (artificial) stormwater infrastructure needs and reducing flooding; and
Whereas, Green infrastructure may include rain gardens, constructed wetlands, green and blue roofs, bioswales, landscaping with deeply rooted plants, rain barrels and cisterns, trees, soil amendments, permeable surfacing and the removal of water-infiltration impeding structures or pavements; and
Whe...
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