Several private-sector groups, including the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Landscape Architects, have joined a federal initiative to support development of green infrastructure projects, the White House announced on Oct. 8.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched the Green Infrastructure Collaborative in July, and the departments of Defense, Energy, the Interior and Transportation signed on. The program's new members will help the Obama administration to tap the expertise of the private and non-profit sectors, the White House said.

A. Charles Rowney, a governing-board member of ASCE's Environment and Water Resources Institute, says an engineering perspective will be critical in advancing knowledge and wider implementation of green infrastructure. He says ASCE soon will begin to develop a guidance document for planning, implementing and maintaining green infrastructure.

The White House also announced other initiatives aimed at enhancing resiliency of natural resources and infrastructure.