(NAPSA)—When you get down to it, the way your place is paved can have a greater effect than many realize on how well the as EN environmentfares. Here’s Why: The right road, street and parking lot paving can lower stormwater runoff and so reduce pollution. Many people are asking the people in charge of paving to consider using permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) on upcomingprojects. They look like popular concrete paving stones but are set in with small spaces between them. The space is filled with small stones to allow runoff to filter down and into the soil. They comein a variety of styles and colors to suit most places and purposes. In Addition, The Pavers: *Meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stormwater performance criteria as a structural best management practice while providing parking, road and pedestrian surfaces; Provide compliance with the U.S. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations; *Reduce runoff from common rainstorms by as muchas 100 percent; eliminate surface puddles and flooding; Promote street tree survival; *Reduce ice hazards because snow melts faster; *Have a 50-year life cycle for surface; eAre compatible with under- ground stormwater storage sys- tems, many slower-draining clay soils and cold climates; Preserve wooded areas that would otherwise be cleared for Streets can be paved in such a way that they reduce pollution and improve the community. stormwater detention or retention ponds; *Contribute to urban heat island reduction through evaporation and reflective, light-colored pavers; Are highly visible; *Reduce the need for continuous expansion of drainage infrastructure; *May be used on sloped site with proper design; Simplify surface and subsurface repairs; no unsightly patches or weakened pavement from utility cuts; * Can be usedfor traffic calming; Enhance property values. What Can I Do? Contact your local municipal officials and make sure they know that permeable pavementscan reduce stormwater runoff pollution. Learn More Communities and their members can learn more from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and find ICPI-certified installers at www.icpi.org or by calling (703) 657-6900.
