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Planning and Funding Municipal Water Infrastructure

No-cost Webinar Series for Local Leaders, Spring 2021

USDA Rural Development Update for Engineers and Fiscal Advisors

Presented: Thursday, June 3, 2021, 1-2:30pm

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This no-cost webinar will focus on USDA Rural Development application and technical updates for water and wastewater projects that serve populations of 10,000 or less. Attendees will learn how to submit stronger applications to the USDA RD Water & Wastewater Loan & Grant Program.

Presenters: Representatives from USDA Rural Development

Resources for Download

New York State’s Consolidated Funding Application is now open, with $750 million available through more than 30 state programs – watch our webinar recordings to learn about planning and funding water infrastructure projects!

Paying for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects – 2021 Update

Presented: Monday, May 3, 2021, 1-3pm

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Based on the latest information about 2021 funding, this webinar will focus on available water infrastructure funding & financing programs (and related grant programs), intended for those who are well along in project planning and ready for the next step.

Presenters: Representatives from USDA Rural Development, NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation, NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, Homes & Community Renewal, and State.

Resources for Download

  • Paying for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects, Contact List
  • Resiliency Funding Sources for New York State Watersheds and Water Infrastructure, Funding Source Guide
  • NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation and Department of Health, Presentation Note: EFC had inadvertently included incorrect information in the ‘Paying for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects” Presentation on Monday 5/3/2021. On slide 10, the correct date for Applications due to EFC is JUNE 25, 2021. The new version of the corrected presentation is now available for download.
  • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Presentation

Planning for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects

Presented: Monday, April 5, 2021, 1-2:30pm

Watch Video Recording

Plan a successful drinking water or wastewater project! Join the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center to learn directly from state and federal funding agency representatives. In this free webinar, we will focus on the planning process for water infrastructure projects, the Intended Use Plan, and available engineering planning grants.

Presenters: Representatives from USDA Rural Development, NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation, NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, Homes & Community Renewal, and State.

Resources for Download

  • Planning for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects, Contact List
  • Resiliency Funding Sources for New York State Watersheds and Water Infrastructure, Funding Source Guide
  • NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation and Department of Health, Presentation
  • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Presentation

Continuing Education Certificates

These webinars have not been submitted to licensing agencies for preapproval of continuing education or training credits. We can provide certificates for your personal record.

Additionally:

  • Each viewer must register and attend individually, and participate for the entire duration of the webinar
  • Group rosters will not be accepted

We recommend that you check with your licensing agency to learn about its criteria, rules, and what you need to do in order to receive credit for your attendance. It is your responsibility to verify this information with your licensing agency. 

Requirements to Receive a Certificate of Attendance: 

  • You must attend the entire session on the original broadcast date
  • You must register and attend using your real name and unique email address
  • Questions? Contact Meredith at maperrea@syr.edu

Organized by Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center. Thank you to our co-sponsorship partners: New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), and the New York Section – American Water Works Association.

These webinars are based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 

Web Meeting: Introducing Coronavirus Wastewater Surveillance Dashboards

Zoom meeting date: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Join David Larsen, PhD, MPH, Syracuse University, Hyatt Green, PhD, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and colleagues from SUNY Upstate Medical University, as they present their newly-developed dashboards for public health action with regards to wastewater surveillance. 

The online, public dashboard will use wastewater surveillance data to show counties across the state where virus transmission is increasing, decreasing or stable.The team is observing a clear early warning of about one week, and have ready for you an easy-to-use tool to guide understanding of coronavirus transmission. 

To access the meeting via Zoom on Thursday, October 15th, please use the link and Zoom meeting information below. Either click on the link or cut and paste the URL address into your browser.

Feel free to share this registration link with anyone who might be interested.

Join Zoom Meeting – October 15, 2020 at 1pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://syracuseuniversity.zoom.us/j/99138968770?pwd=aVd6RG9laUErc3NZaGtZZDFIc0pwdz09

Meeting ID: 991 3896 8770
Passcode: 966438
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Meeting ID: 991 3896 8770
Find your local number: https://syracuseuniversity.zoom.us/u/acQsfxYLMb

Work-In-Water Information Session

Webinar Presentation Date: November 10, 2020
Time: 10 am-11:30 am (EST) 

Presented by the New York Water Environment Association and the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center

Watch Video Recording Here

Resources from the webinar:

The New York Water Environment Association and the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center held a 1.5 hour informational webinar on engaging high school students in water careers.

NYWEA’s Work-in-Water Program is actively recruiting student and utility participants to take part in classroom engagement, facility tours, and internships. This unique, hands-on learning program allows students to see first-hand the skills, technology, and people that are working to ensure the public has access to clean water resources.

Use the link to the “interest form” to learn about a new mini-grant offered through NYWEA’s Work in Water Program and how it can be used to support utility-school partnerships and interns.

This webinar’s agenda included:

10:00 am  Welcome & Introductions
William J. Nylic III, President, New York Water Environment Association  
10:05 am  Work-in-Water Overview
Discover the Work in Water program and how it can be effective and valuable to your utility and community.
10:10 am  Engaging Schools
Create a connection between students and water careers at your school or utility. Find out who to contact, what messages resonate, and learn about previous successful partnerships between schools and utilities.
10:20 am  Classroom Toolkit
An explanation of the opportunity to use pre-developed activities and tools directly with students. 
10:25 am  Facility Tour Experience
Find out how to lead awesome tours through your water and wastewater treatment plants. Inspire students to consider water careers, and share what they learn with others during facility tours.
10:35 am  Student Internship
Learn about the benefits of hiring an intern at your utility. 
10:55 am  Mini-Grants Opportunity
Learn how your utility can apply for funding for the internship and/or transportation for your first Work-in-Water experience.
11:05 am Let’s Hear From You
Ask questions and learn more about how you can use this program. Meet other water professionals, utility staff, school administrators and teachers, and talk to NYWEA and SU-EFC staff. 
11:30 am  Conclude

This webinar is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 

Wastewater Coronavirus Surveillance Systems: Advancing Research and Municipal Coordination Part II

Webinar Presentation Date: Wednesday October 28, 2020
Time: 2PM-3:15PM EDT

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Tracking infectious disease transmission through wastewater has been an important tool for safeguarding public health for 25 years. Recent scientific breakthroughs show that levels of coronavirus genetic material in wastewater systems can provide an advanced warning of an increase in coronavirus transmission in a geographically-targeted area. These measures will also help us identify areas where the virus is spreading, waning, or absent; can identify asymptomatic cases; and can predict cases a week sooner than incident cases seen in the health system.

This free, 75-minute webinar provides a follow up to our conversation in June where experts from academia and practice discuss their experiences with the research behind wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 and its implementation at institutional-to-regional scales.

The facilitated discussion addressed safe and effective real-time monitoring of coronavirus RNA in wastewater, to share information for how this surveillance method can help guide us through the process of safely reopening the state.

Facilitated by Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and the New York State Water Resources Institute

Resources for Download

Panelists

  • Hyatt Green, Assistant Professor, Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 
  • Anthony Hay, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Agricultural & Life Sciences, Cornell University
  • Seth Jensen, Director, Municipal Utilities, City of Auburn, NY
  • David Larsen, Associate Professor, Public Health, Falk College, Syracuse University 
  • Lachlan Squair, Chief of Facilities and Safety, SUNY Oneonta
  • Teng Zeng, Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University 

Organized by Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center, the New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University, New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), and New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).

This webinar is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 

Download agenda

This webinar has not been submitted to licensing agencies for preapproval of continuing education or training credits. It is your responsibility to check with your licensing agency or municipality about its rules and criteria for credit.
Requirements to Receive a Certificate of Attendance: •You must attend the entire 75 minute session on the original broadcast date (October 28, 2020) •You must register and attend using your real name and unique email address •Questions? Contact Meredith at maperrea@syr.edu.

Header image is courtesy of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: a transmission electron microscope image which shows SARS-CoV-2.

Webinar: Introduction to FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System: a New York State Perspective

Presentation Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Time: 10:00-11:30am

Watch Video Recording

Follow-up Resources

Download the following resources from this webinar:

About: Flooding in New York State is a frequent threat and a costly disaster for communities. Local governments, however, can protect their citizens by taking flood risk reduction measures – and reduce insurance premiums as well. Join Syracuse University’s Environmental Finance Center to learn about FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS) program.  FEMA’s ​voluntary CRS program credits community efforts beyond minimum floodplain management standards by reducing flood insurance premiums for the community’s property owners.  This free 75 minute webinar provided an introduction to FEMA’s CRS program, followed by a panel discussion where speakers shared their diverse experiences with the CRS program.  Please join us to find out if your community is a good fit for CRS.

This free webinar was co-hosted by the New York State Water Resources Institute, New York State Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association, and Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center

Presenters and Panelists

John Gauthier, P.E., CFM, Associate Engineer, Town of Greece

Russell Houck, P.E., CFM, Facilities Engineer, City of Syracuse

Nathan Mitchell, Chair of the Piermont Waterfront Resiliency Commission, Village of Piermont

Kristen Hychka, PhD, Research & Outreach Specialist, NYS Water Resources Institute

This webinar has not been submitted to licensing agencies for preapproval of continuing education or training credits. 

Requirements to Receive a Certificate of Attendance: •You must attend the entire 1.5 hour session on the original broadcast date (September 22, 2020) •You must register and attend using your real name and unique email address

Download an agenda here.

It is your responsibility to check with your licensing agency or municipality about its rules and criteria for credit.
The certificate of attendance and agenda may be useful for:
– New York Code Enforcement Official Professional Development Electives
– ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager Continuing Education Credit Flood-related Virtual Learning Activity
– New York State Planning and Zoning Board training requirements, if your elected board considers the content relevant.

Questions? Contact Meredith at maperrea@syr.edu.

This webinar is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 

Webinar: Developing a Wastewater Coronavirus Surveillance System for New York State

Developing a Wastewater Coronavirus Surveillance System for New York State

Presentation Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Note: 
-The first 3.5 minutes of the webinar recording are audio only. Presentations begin at 3.5 minutes.
–Certificates of completion are provided only to those who registered and participated in the webinar on its original broadcast date.

View Webinar Recording

Tracking infectious disease transmission through wastewater has been an important tool for safeguarding public health for 25 years. Recent scientific breakthroughs show that levels of coronavirus genetic material in sewer systems predict cases a week sooner than incident cases seen in the health system. 

In this 75-minute webinar, experts from Syracuse University, Cornell, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry will introduce their pilot project for tracking levels of coronavirus RNA in New York’s sewer systems. Tracking RNA will provide an advanced warning of an increase in coronavirus transmission in a geographically-targeted area and warn of an incoming surge in cases and hospitalizations. These measures will also help us identify areas where the virus is spreading, waning, or absent.

Ask questions during our facilitated discussion about safe and effective real-time monitoring of coronavirus RNA in wastewater, and learn how this surveillance method can help guide us through the process of reopening the state.

This webinar is organized by Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center, New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) and the New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University.

Presenters and Panelists

  • David Larsen, Associate Professor, Public Health, Falk College, Syracuse University
  • Hyatt Green, Assistant Professor, Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 
  • Anthony Hay, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Agricultural & Life Sciences, Cornell University

Panelists: 

  • Seth Jensen, Director, Municipal Utilities, City of Auburn, NY
  • Teng Zeng, Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University
  • Kristen Hychka, Research & Outreach Specialist, New York State Water Resources Institute, Cornell University
  • Rassil Sayess, Research & Outreach Specialist, New York State Water Resources Institute, Cornell University

Facilitation from Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center

This webinar is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 

New York Lakes Webinar Series – June & July 2020

The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and the New York State Federation of Lake Associations formed a unique partnership to offer a series of no-cost webinars, for lake association members and local governments with lakes in their jurisdictions. The goal was to grow skills for better lake management.

Who: Municipal board members, elected officials, municipal staff, Lake Association members, lakeshore landowners & anyone else that’s interested!

-Looking for webinar recordings? Scroll down for links.
-Certificates of completion are provided only to those who register and participate in the webinars on their original broadcast dates.

Webinar 1: Insurance Coverage for Nonprofit Lake Associations

Date: June 4, 2020, 10-11am

Description: Nonprofits provide a variety of services to our communities. Understanding the risk associated with providing a service and choosing the right liability insurance to protect your nonprofit is not always easy. This workshop will walk attendees though the various types of liability insurance your nonprofit might need, and why you may (or may not) need it.

Presenter:  Brian Martin, Licensed Account Representative, Council Services Plus, a subsidiary of NYS Council of Nonprofits, Inc.

Video Recording – June 4th Webinar

Webinar 2: Conflict Management for Organizations

Date: June 18, 2020, 10-11am

Description: Does your organization or board experience conflict over managing resources or making decisions? Learn from a Syracuse University expert how to transform conflict into opportunity. No matter what your job or role, you can gain skills from this webinar.

Presenter:
Catherine M. Gerard, Director of the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC), Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Video Recording – June 18th Webinar

Webinar 3: An Introduction to Lake Ecosystems: A New York State Perspective

Date: July 9, 2020, 10-11am

Description: New York State is blessed with a diverse array of nearly 8,000 lake ecosystems, ranging from unnamed small lakes and ponds to some of the largest lakes on Earth. These ecosystems provide a wide range of services, including recreation, aesthetics, water supply, and habitat for aquatic organisms. This webinar will provide an overview of lake science and water quality management from the perspective of New York’s lakes. Topics will include temperature stratification, harmful algal blooms, aquatic invasive species, lake food webs, and relationships between land use and water quality.
New! Register for the webinar to join an online networking event directly afterward. Access to the networking session provided during the webinar.

Presenters:
Monica Matt, Research Scientist, Upstate Freshwater Institute
David Andrews, Research Scientist, Upstate Freshwater Institute
David Matthews, Director, Upstate Freshwater Institute

Video Recording – July 9th Webinar

Webinar 4: Working with Local Government to Improve Lakes and Communities

Date: July 23, 2020, 10-11am

Description: Learn from two long-time experts about the experiences of towns and lakes working together through zoning and water quality issues. In addition, hear about effective models of collaboration to incorporate into work with your own municipality.

Chris Mikolajczyk of Princeton Hydro will present “A Regional Based Approach to the Management of Lakes in the Borough of Ringwood.” The Borough of Ringwood is situated in the heart of the New Jersey Highlands (which provides drinking water to millions of New Jersey residents) and is home to several public and private lakes that sit within the Ramapo Mountains.  In order to take an active role in the management of these natural resources within multiple watersheds, the Borough of Ringwood is the first municipality in the state of New Jersey to take a regional approach to private lake management through a public-private partnership with four lake associations.

Jim Cunningham, NYSFOLA Board Member, Town of Nelson Supervisor, and Eatonbrook Lake Association member, will discuss the role of local government in lake management using recent experiences and examples from Madison County, NY.
New! Register for the webinar to join an online networking event directly afterward. Access to the networking session provided during the webinar.

Presenters:
Chris Mikolajczyk, Senior Project Manager – Aquatics, Princeton Hydro
Jim Cunningham, Supervisor, Town of Nelson, NY

Video Recording – July 23rd Webinar

Click this link to find webinar recordings, available at the Center for Sustainable Community Solutions YouTube Channel within two days after the webinar date.

February 17 – Association of Towns 2020 Annual Meeting & Training School

State and Federal Funding, Financing, and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure Roundtable Discussion

When: February 17th, 2020

Location: New York Marriott Marquis, New York City

What: The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and government experts presented information about funding and financing for municipal infrastructure.

Who: Municipal Supervisors and Mayors, Council/Board Members, Town Clerks and Managers, DPW Staff, Town Planners, Engineers, and other interested community leaders were invited to attend.

Presentations:

https://efc.syr.edu/resources/presentations/

POSTPONED: March 24 – Protecting Water Quality in the Kettle Lakes Watershed and Beyond

When: Postponed until further notice. Stay tuned as our team works to reschedule this event later in the year.

What: Learn what others are doing to solve water quality challenges so you can become a part of the solution too.

This workshop is free and open to the public. Dinner will be provided.

Who: Farmers and landowners, lakeshore residents, business owners, anglers, village and town officials, staff and residents, and everyone else who enjoys the Kettle Lakes.

This workshop may count for municipal training credits, such as for planning board members. Please check with your local municipality. Certificates of participation will be provided to all attendees.

Agenda:

5:30pm Welcome
5:50pm Kettle Lakes Watershed Planning
6:10pm Priority Water Quality Practices and Q&A
6:30pm Dinner
6:55pm Case Study: Tully Lake Shorescaping
7:05pm Case Study: Agricultural Soil Health Practices
7:15pm Conservation Assistance

Click the images below to begin learning about buffer systems.

Contact: Contact Jes Eckerlin at jeschn01@syr.edu or 315-350-8534 with registration or program questions.