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Growth in the New River Valley is inevitable, but there is a way that we can maintain the quality of life and rural heritage that we experience now with the use of Green Infrastructure planning concepts.
At this point, you're probably wondering what Green Infrastructure is. It is defined as "an interconnected network of land and water that contributes to the health, economic well being, and quality of life for communities and people" and includes water resources, agricultural lands, outdoor recreation, trail networks and more. Examples of Green Infrastructure would be designing homes and businesses around green spaces, setting aside buffers along rivers and streams that protect against flooding, and encouraging compatible uses adjacent to agricultural areas, national forests, and state parks. It can help maintain and protect a clean drinking water supply, mitigate droughts and floods, remove air pollutants, protect habitats, and enhance overall aesthetics. In the Delaware Valley, urban forests remove 1.7 million pounds of air pollutants each year at an estimated value of $3.9 million. In fall 2006, the New River Valley Planning District Commission (NRVPDC) launched a regional initiative to promote the use of Green Infrastructure planning concepts within the communities of the New River Valley. The NRVPDC hopes to first bring together various community stakeholders to learn more about Green Infrastructure and to collect a shared vision and set of goals for each community. Community Meetings will be held on the following dates: - Floyd County - August 7, 5:30-8pm - Country Store
- City of Radford - August 23, 5-8pm, Parks and Rec Building
- Giles County - August 28, 5-8pm - Castle Rock Rec Area
- Pulaski County - August 30, 5-8pm - NRCC
Make sure you come out and learn about this exciting planning concept and how it can positively affect the New River Valley. The NRVPDC will release the dates for the first phase of education and outreach in the near future. For any further information concerning GI, please contact Abigail Convery with the NRVPDC, at 540-639-9313.
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