Maui County, HI has been selected to receive technical assistance to create a green streets strategy as a part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. 
photo courtesy Flickr.com, by markyeg
Maui County hopes to examine how its small towns and rural areas can benefit from sustainably designed streets. These “green streets” will address issues from stormwater runoff, which, when not addressed, collects pollutants and stresses traditional water infrastructure. Maui’s green streets will be characterized by vegetative barriers and mediums that encourage the natural infiltration of runoff instead of moving water into an underground pipe network. The streets will also reduce flooding by slowing and absorbing runoff.
In addition, Maui and the EPA will plan for the area’s future growth, prioritizing smart planning choices and the preservation of the county’s rural areas and natural resources. Through the EPA’s assistance, Maui hopes to encourage local economical development while maintaining the area’s appeal.
Senator Mazie K. Hirono congratulated Maui on receiving the grant saying, “Maui County should be commended for its smart growth strategies that encourage sustainable economic growth while protecting Hawaii’s natural resources.”
The Building Blocks program provides communities across the nation with the tools they need to achieve development and sustainability goals to become more economically stable. This year, 43 communities were selected to receive technical assistance. The EPA provides assistance through workshops and direct consultation with local authorities leading to a strategic plan to implement the communities’ goals. The program is a part of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a collaboration between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the EPA.
Read more at the Hawaii Reporter