The report, titled EPA Pilot Project to Increase Use of Green Infrastructure Could Benefit from Documenting Collaborative Agreements, was prepared in September 2017, but not publicly released until October 30. The report investigated the level of green infrastructure (GI) adoption by municipalities, along with funding mechanisms, and the challenges integrating GI into stormwater management efforts, and lastly, focused on the role of U.S. EPA in promoting the use of GI at the local level.

The report is based upon a random survey of 31 municipalities who are addressing municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) and/or combined sewer overflow (CSO) regulatory requirements.  Over half of respondants reported that investments in GI have been made in 5 percent or less of regulated areas in their community.  Most municipalities stated that GI funding sources were fees or general funding sources.  A majority of respondants stated that GI is more challenging to implement than traditional “gray” infrastructure.  Despite this fact, most of the surveyed communities reported that implementation of GI was made in their community due to enhanced performance and potential co-benefits, and utilized these initial investments as a means to become more familiar with GI practices.

Lastly, the GAO report covered EPA engagement and collaboration with communities, with a particular focus on the ongoing initiative led by EPA to support voluntary long-term stormwater planning.  The document recommends that EPA document this community engagement in order to more effectively collaborate with municipalities in the future.