| Northeast-Midwest Institute Weekly Update |
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| Northeast-Midwest Institute Launches Transportation Policy Project | |
The Northeast-Midwest Institute will advance sustainability and livability in the region's communities through a new project on transportation policy supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, the Surdna Foundation and the Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. In the 112th Congress, lawmakers will be faced with reauthorizing federal surface transportation legislation, creating important opportunities to improve the federal policy response to community needs as they pursue sustainability and livability objectives. The Northeast-Midwest Institute will provide expert informational support to EPA's Office of Sustainable Communities, coupled with outreach to Members of Congress about sustainability and livability policy options, particularly as they relate to the NEMW region's transportation infrastructure.
For more information please contact Chris Forinash, 202.403.4509 or Colleen Cain, 202.464.4003.
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| February Mid-Atlantic Watersheds Update Released | |
The February installment of the Mid-Atlantic Watersheds Update from the Northeast-Midwest Institute has been released. These updates are intended to be timely resources providing brief news clippings, legislative and policy information, and other information relevant to conservation and restoration efforts in the Mid-Atlantic. All editions will also be available on the NEMWI website. This edition includes information on:
- EPA Fracking Study
- FY11, FY12 Budget and Appropriations
- Chesapeake Bay TMDL CR Amendment
- FRAC Act
For more information please contact Rachel Dawson, Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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| February Mississippi River Basin Update Released | The February Update on Mississippi River Basin issues has been released.
The February Update contains these items:
- Budget and Appropriations
- Continuing Resolution, the Administration's Budget and Upcoming Appropriations
- Legislation
- Legislative Initiatives on Back Burner for Now
- River Basin News and Notes
- Letter Urges Congress to Include Water Quality Concerns in Upcoming Farm Bill Discussions
- Federal Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds-Gap Between Funding Levels and Needs
- Significant Springtime Flooding Likely in the Upper Mississippi River Basin
- Delta Dispatches
- Tennessee Clean Water Network Newsletter
- Upcoming Conferences, Events and Workshops
For more information please contact Mark Gorman, Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute. |
| RFP for Technical Assistance Programs for Sustainable Communities | An increasing number of communities across the U.S. are turning their attention to smart growth and sustainable communities approaches to development to revitalize their economies, create jobs, protect clean air and water, and improve residents' quality of life. However, communities often run into common barriers when implementing these approaches, such as outdated zoning codes and other local regulations, lack of consensus around where and how to grow, and misconceptions about sustainable communities development approaches.
EPA's Office of Sustainable Communities is seeking proposals to create and deliver technical assistance programs to local and tribal governments facing common land use and development challenges. The Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to fund up to three organizations that will provide technical assistance to multiple communities on the use of standardized, "ready to go" tools that can lead to changes in local
policies and development regulations. Applications are due March 31, 2011.
More information on this RFP (EPA-OP-OSC-11-01) is available at
http://epa.gov/smartgrowth/grants/index.htm#rfgpa. |
| EPA Announces Application Period for 10th Annual Smarth Growth Award | The application period is now open for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 10th annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. Through this award, EPA recognizes and supports communities that have successfully used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. Applicants may be public- or private-sector entities, but all applications must include a public-sector partner. The deadline to enter the competition is April 6, 2011. Winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in December 2011.
To view the application and complete entry guidelines, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards.htm#2011app
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| Green Streets as a Community Revitalization Strategy Webinar | On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, from 12:00-1:45pm CST, Region 5 EPA & DOT will host a webinar: "Green Streets as a Community Revitalization Strategy."
This free webinar will focus on several green streets pilot projects in Lansing, MI; Toledo, OH; and Chicago, IL. From the rainwater management strategies to the materials used in the street infrastructure, there are many elements of a street rehabilitation project that can 'go green' to assist with sustainability objectives and neighborhood stabilization.
Webinar speakers will include:
- David Leopold, City of Chicago, IL
- Chad Gamble, City of Lansing, MI
- Dan Christian, Tetra Tech
- Patekka Bannister, City of Toledo, OH
Register at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/968278187 |
| EPA Awards $600,000 Under Targeted Watershed Grants Program | The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $600,000 to River Network to engage communities and increase citizen connection, understanding, and stewardship of urban waterways. This award was made through the Targeted Watershed Grants Program and is an Urban Waters Capacity Building Grant. Under the grant, River Network will form a partnership with Groundwork USA to establish and manage a competitive urban watershed subaward program.
River Network will select five to seven subawardees competitively to receive funding (ranging from $30,000 to $70,000) and up to 400 hours of technical assistance for projects designed to strengthen their organization. As part of the grant, River Network will also provide a wider peer-learning network for other organizations working on urban water issues. The goal is to support a new urban waters movement by building highly capable organizations that are self-sustaining and can carry out programs to protect human health and the environment.
For additional information on applying to River Network for funding, visit http://www.rivernetwork.org/news/urban-waters-capacity-building-grants
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| Great Lakes Task Force Director Position Open | |
The Northeast-Midwest Coalitions seek a director for the Senate and House Great Lakes Task Forces. The director provides information and organizational direction to a diverse and energized bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force membership in the Senate and House in order to advance bipartisan solutions to regional issues relevant to the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Task Forces are dynamic member teams which jointly utilize the tools available to Congress to address Great Lakes federal policy priorities as effectively as possible.
Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to Allegra Cangelosi, President of the Northeast-Midwest Institute, at acangelo@nemw.org.
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Co-Locate with NEMWI Near Capitol Hill
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NEMWI has office space available in their office suite located steps from Senate offices and Union Station. The ideal subtenants would be non-profit organizations focussed on issues relevant to NEMWI projects and programs, and/or geographic areas within the Northeast-Midwest region. Up to nine furnished offices available with parking spaces, 24 hour security desk services, and shared conference room and kitchen facilities.
Call Dyan McCray (202) 464-4019 at NEMWI for more details.
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