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SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is seeking ideas for projects that reduce stormwater runoff and other discharges into state waterways.

The state has an initial $5 million authorization through the U.S. EPA and will be designing projects under its Green Infrastructure Grant program for stormwater  management.

Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott says torrential storms in recent months have shown the need to develop new methods of stormwater management.

Those methods include permeable pavements,
bioswales that collect polluted water and treat it, green roofs and
other ideas.
      The agency will accept proposals for rehabilitating existing
systems, for developing new stormwater retention areas and for
small "green infrastructure projects."
      EPA will award two to 13 of these grants per year.
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      Online: http://www.epa.state.il.us

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