house resolution no.310

Reps. Sowerby, Aiyash, Glanville, Cherry, Sneller, Camilleri, Rogers, Scott, Hood, Morse, Hope, Koleszar, Rabhi, Clemente, Brabec, Puri, Kuppa, LaGrand, Anthony and Stone offered the following resolution:

A resolution to urge municipalities to use recently appropriated state and federal funding to pursue green infrastructure policies.

Whereas, Climate change is threatening the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the people of our nation. In Michigan, climate change has resulted in increasingly extreme weather events, such as flooding, periods of drought, and higher temperatures. Current scientific projections suggest that the impacts of climate change will continue to increase in both frequency and intensity, and that measures must be taken to adapt to the changing climate; and

Whereas, Important work is already being done to fight climate change and increase climate resilience in Michigan. The draft MI Healthy Climate Plan, published in January 2022, outlines the state’s vision and goals as they relate to addressing climate change. Additionally, municipalities throughout the state have adopted policies designed to combat and adapt to climate change. However, more work is needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt to changing weather patterns; and

Whereas, Green infrastructure, which is an approach to water management designed to filter and absorb stormwater where it falls, could help mitigate impacts of climate change by providing communities with increased flood protection, cleaner water, and more green space. While green infrastructure may take many forms, common examples of green infrastructure projects include pollinator plots; rain gardens; bioswales; green streets and alleys; permeable pavement; rainwater harvesting; downspout disconnection; green roofs, and native plant-based restoration projects; and

Whereas, Recently appropriated state and federal funding, which will deliver more than $3 billion in badly needed infrastructure and climate-related funding to Michigan communities, will provide municipalities a rare opportunity to fund green infrastructure projects. Green infrastructure has been shown to be a cost effective, locally enriching, and impactful way to develop a community while also mitigating the impacts of human created changes to Earth’s climate; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge municipalities to use recently appropriated state and federal funding to pursue green infrastructure policies; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the executive directors of the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Townships Association, and Michigan Association of Counties.