Core Elements of Green Infrastructure Programs for CSO Control

Green infrastructure (GI) has been incorporated into Long Term Control Plans (LTCPs) and Consent Decrees (CDs) in recent years. The implementation of green infrastructure requires new management approaches than those used in traditional capital projects. Green infrastructure programs require new approaches to land use, project financing, interdepartmental or interagency cooperation and engagement of the public. A series of combined sewer overflow (CSO) programs were reviewed to assess how they implemented their green infrastructure programs. This paper provides an overview of some of the management and institutional approaches that these communities are implementing. Information was gathered from a large number of published reports, including regulatory documents, LTCPs, other published material and agency interviews. While these programs continue to grow and evolve, programmatic structures are developing which provide insights for other communities who are implementing similar programs.