Resilient Stormwater Management in the Great Lakes Region

Started in 2020 and funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF), RISC was established to promote One Water principles and drive investments in sustainable stormwater infrastructure. In 2023, leadership of the RISC project transitioned to the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange. CIS, in collaboration with the Exchange, developed the Resilient Stormwater Management in the Great Lakes Region report to assess the current state of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) implementation across Great Lakes communities. The report identified critical challenges and opportunities for advancing GSI, including funding barriers, workforce gaps, fragmented planning, and systemic inequities.

The project incorporated stakeholder interviews, case studies, and a comprehensive review of stormwater management practices to provide actionable recommendations for scaling GSI initiatives. It highlighted best practices in innovative design, equity-driven planning, sustainable financing, and regional collaboration. The report complemented ongoing RISC strategic planning efforts and provided a foundation to support regional leaders in expanding resilient stormwater strategies in both the United States and Canada.