Financing Natural Infrastructure: The Elizabeth River Project, Chesapeake Bay, VA

Abstract

Knowledge gaps surrounding natural infrastructure (NI) life cycles and performance thwart widespread implementation of NI in civil works projects. In particular, information about funding or financing the scoping, design, construction, monitoring, and adaptive management of NI projects constitutes a key need as there is no standard process for securing funds. This technical note is part of a series documenting successful examples of funding NI projects and sharing lessons learned about a variety of funding and financing methods to increase the implementation of NI projects. The research effort is a collaboration between the Engineering With Nature (registered trademark) (EWN (registered trademark)) and Systems Approach to Geomorphic Engineering (SAGE) programs of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This technical note explores how the Elizabeth River Project (ERP), a nonprofit organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, developed a homeowner cost-sharing program to fund NI projects--living shorelines, rain gardens, and riparian buffers--within an urban watershed.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 16, 2024
Accession Number
AD1226190

Entities

People

  • Bari N. Greenfeld
  • Ellis Kalaidjian
  • Margaret Kurth
  • Matthew A. Smith

Organizations

  • United States Army Corps of Engineers

Tags

Readers

  • Coastal and Marine Engineering/Sediment Transport/Hydraulic Engineering
  • Cybersecurity.
  • Economics