| Northeast-Midwest Institute Weekly Update |
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Great Ships Initiative Conducts Ballast Water Study for Canada
Canadian Fisheries and Oceans has just contracted with the NEMWI's Great Ships Initiative to carry out critical ballast water management studies aimed at improving protection of the Great Lakes from unwanted invasive species. The Great Lakes water resource and the maritime transportation it supports are regional assets shared by the United States and Canada. The Great Ships Initiative, a collaborative regional effort to resolve the problem of ship mediated invasive species in the Great Lakes, was launched in 2007, thanks to efforts by Congressman Dave Obey to find federally appropriated dollars to support the undertaking. The GSI now operates a world-class ballast treatment testing facility located in Superior, WI, which efficiently generates credible third-party information on ballast treatment performance in fresh water ecosystems. Canada's contract with NEMWI's GSI signals the bi-national breadth of GSI's value and utility to the region. Continued, timely support from Congress and US and Canadian federal agencies is critical to maintaining the independence and high quality of GSI research activities for the region.
Fore more information contact Allegra Cangelosi Principal Investigator at the Great Ships Initiative, Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute, 202-464-4007.
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HUD Announces Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Recipients
The Department of Housing and Urban Development released a list of grantees for its $100 million in Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grants. Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Cleveland and St. Paul all received $4 million grants from the program and New York City received a $3 million grant. The grants support local and state governments as well as MPOs in creating plans which "integrate affordable housing with neighboring retail and business development". The grants are part of the Obama Administration's Sustainable Communities Partnership. You may also view HUD's announcement.
Fore more information contact Greg Lewis or Fritz Ohrenschall, at the Northeast-Midwest Institute, 202-464-4005/4020.
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Groundwork USA's "Watershed Workday" Oct. 22, EPA Administrator Jackson to Address Audience
Groundwork USA is a national network of trusts that works in distressed communities across the county to engage at-risk urban youth in hands-on education and stewardship efforts aimed at reclaiming vacant land and restoring urban waters. Watershed Workday is the premier public event of Groundwork USA's Assembly and Youth Summit, which takes place this year in Washington, D.C. It will also celebrate the federal interagency partnership that enables Groundwork to engage the Anacostia community and promote resident and youth stewardship of public open spaces.
Groundwork USA's "Watershed Workday" celebration and service project will include dignitaries and Green Team youth delegates from across the county, who will begin work improving Kenilworth Park's trails, monitoring Anacostia River water quality, and cleaning debris from the river banks and a new trash trap that spans the river.
Speakers kicking off the event will include EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and National Park Service Deputy Directory Mickey Fearn, representing Groundwork's federal partners.
DATE: 1-5 p.m., October 22, 2010
PLACE: Kenilworth Park, near the Anacostia neighborhood and the National Arboretum
For more information contact Kate O'Brien, Groundwork USA, 617-710-6057 or Greg Lewis at the Northeast-Midwest Institute, 202-464-4005.
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Council of Economic Advisers Releases Infrastructure Report
The Council of Economic advisers released a report entitled "An Economic Analysis of Infrastructure Investment" to back up the Administration's calls for infrastructure spending. The report argues that with high unemployment in the construction field, cheap raw materials, and low income workers being hit disproportionately hard by unemployment and loss of transit options that spending in public infrastructure is one of the most effective ways to bolster the economy.
Also see articles in the New York Times, AltTransport, and Washington Post.
Fore more information contact Fritz Ohrenschall, at the Northeast-Midwest Institute, 202-464-4020.
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