NEMWI Releases Report on Best Approaches to Preventing Horticulture-Related Invasive Plant Introductions
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The Northeast-Midwest Institute has released "Certified: Feasibility of Audit-Based Certification to Prevent Invasive Plant Pests in the Horticulture Industry", a report exploring invasive plant prevention alternatives applicable to the nursery industry. Invasive plant pests cause significant harm to the environment and economy, including the nursery industry, of the Northeast-Midwest region. The report reviews the issues and options associated with plant certification in the United States, and recommends next steps. It is the culmination of a multi-stakeholder investigation led by John Peter Thompson and funded by the USDA Aphis. The report is free and accessible here.
For more information, contact Allegra Cangelosi of the Northeast-Midwest Institute. |
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman: No More SAFETEA-LU Extensions
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The nation's surface transportation law, SAFETEA-LU, expired at the end of September 2009 and has since undergone a series of short-term extensions. After the House passed the most recent extension on March 2, 2011, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. John Mica (R-FL) vowed to vote on full reauthorization before the extension expires in September 2011: "We stabilized the trust fund through Sept. 30th when we passed the seventh extension, but I'm here to tell you that there won't be an eighth," Mica said. He argued that passing a new six-year reauthorization could help the economy. You can read the full story at The Hill's website.
Fore more information contact Fritz Ohrenschall at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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EPA/ASLA Seek Green Infrastructure Case Studies
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The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is working to gather 300 green infrastructure case studies to submit to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to aid in their rulemaking related to green infrastructure for stormwater management. The deadline is March 31, 2011.
EPA has initiated a national rulemaking to establish a comprehensive program to reduce stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment and make other improvements to strengthen its stormwater program. EPA has requested case studies to demonstrate that green infrastructure design techniques and Low Impact Development (LID) are highly- effective, cost-efficient tools to address stormwater management.
EPA is looking for particular project information, including:
- estimated cost of the project
- specific stormwater management design techniques utilized
- amount of impervious areas managed
- stormwater reduction performance analysis
- number of jobs created
- any other community or economic benefits resulting from the project
Please contact ASLA Government Affairs staff Kevin O'Hara or Roxanne Blackwell for more information.
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