Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center (SU-EFC) Publications
District Formation Brochure
This special district resource was produced by the SU-EFC in collaboration with the NYS Tug Hill Commission, the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), and Lewis County, NY, to outline the important steps and considerations for communities considering forming a new district.
Sustainable Food Waste Management Planning Guidance Document
This guidance document was produced by the Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS) and the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) to highlight common challenges that New York State communities experience while developing local sustainable food waste management programs, as well as creative solutions used to overcome those challenges.
Funding Source Guide
Resiliency Funding Sources for New York State Watersheds and Water Infrastructure (Non-Agricultural).
Advancing Community Resilience to Lake-Level Flooding in Wayne County, New York
This report describes the Advancing Community-Level Resilience project which was established in 2019 to help fill critical information gaps in Wayne County, NY regarding potential flood and financial risks to property owners and communities.
Position Knowledge Inventory
This document was developed by the SU-EFC in collaboration with the NYS Tug Hill Commission to help municipalities and other organizations retain critical organizational knowledge and expertise in order to ensure continuity of service long after positions change.
Guiding Principles of Resilient + Climate Forward Infrastructure Funding
The NYS Adaptation Practitioners Network, of which SU-EFC is a member, shares the principles described in this document, for promoting and supporting infrastructure that can equitably adapt to a changing climate.
From Planning to Implementation: Building Capacity in the Town of Sandy Creek
This report is a curated selection of ecosystem-based management recommendations from existing plan documents, and includes action steps, partner organizations, and funding suggestions to address water quality issues of stakeholder concern.
Watershed Quality Assessment: Town of Sandy Creek, New York
The maps presented in this document illustrate aspects of the wetland, sensitive dune and shoreline areas in the Town of Sandy Creek, NY.
Work in Water Job Profile
This recruitment brochure describes water utility careers. School counselors, educators, and utility staff may use this brochure to introduce high school and college students to a career in water.
Work in Water Position Description – Water Resource Recovery Operator
This recruitment brochure describes career prospects for water resource recovery operators in New York State. School counselors, educators, and utility staff may use this brochure to introduce high school and college students to a career in water resource recovery.
Developing a Municipal Downspout Disconnect and Green Infrastructure Program
Municipalities can address stormwater runoff and constraints on wastewater treatment through a residential downspout disconnect and green infrastructure program. This report describes program development step-by-step, and includes resources for small municipalities.
Backcasting for the Non-PRASA Aqueduct Systems Organization of Puerto Rico /“Backcasting” para Organización Sistemas Acueductos Non-PRASA de Puerto Rico Corp. (OSAN)
This report documents the “backcasting” exercise, in Spanish and English, at the Getting Ready for Funding workshop, Caguas, PR. Leaders of small, rural and peri-urban community water systems developed planning activities, events and milestones for the new OSAN organization.
Puerto Rico Small Water System Needs Assessment / Evaluación de Necesidades de Sistemas de Agua Pequeños en Puerto Rico
This report describes results of a focus group event held in February 2019 for leaders of small, rural and peri-urban community water systems not served by Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Available in Spanish and English versions.
Municipal Awareness and Perception of Resiliency in New York State
Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center community needs assessment for resiliency awareness and perception among community leaders in New York State.
Strategies for Financing Chesapeake Bay Restoration in New York State
Prepared by the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center and the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center from the Chesapeake Bay Program Office and the State of New York.
2016-17 Field Guide of Financial Support for Capital Projects in New York State
Updated from the 2013 version, this guide is designed for New York State municipalities and local governments looking to fund sustainable and environmentally friendly capital projects.
2016-17 Field Guide of Financial Support for Capital Projects in New Jersey
This reference tool will help guide local governments and non-profits in New Jersey in search of federal, state, and third party financing for sustainable capital projects.
Funding Guide for Capital Projects in Sustainable Materials Management
Updated from the 2013 version, this guide will take some of the guesswork out of grant research for capital projects in sustainable materials management. This reference tool was created to help guide local governments and non-profits in New York State in search of federal, state, and third party financing for sustainable capital projects.
2015 New York State Rainwater Harvesting Guide
This guide is intended for communities, farmers, and homeowners who are interested in rainwater harvesting as a supplemental water supply. The guide provides an overview of system types, and how to determine which system is right for different purposes.
2015 Using Constructed Wetlands to Improve and Protect New York State Water Quality
The purpose of this guide is to serve as an aid for community leaders and employees, farmers, and landowners in understanding how natural and constructed wetlands improve and protect the water quality of New York State. This guide includes information regarding wetland types, services (ecosystem services/values) provided by wetlands, and lastly how constructed wetlands are created to treat wastewater. Case study examples are provided on two constructed wetlands implemented to treat different types of wastewater. The case studies are provided to demonstrate applicability and feasibility of constructed wetlands as a wastewater treatment practice. Information on regulations and permitting typically associated with constructed wetland construction as well as general wetland permitting is also included.
New York State Succession Planning Guidebook for Local Officials
This guidebook is intended to aid local officials in understanding the benefits and process of succession planning. Succession planning and its usefulness are expressed for small-scale municipalities, through a step-by-step process guide.
New York State Comprehensive Plan Development Guidebook for Local Officials
This guidebook is intended to aid local officials in understanding the development and implementation process of a comprehensive plan for their municipality.
New York State Grant Writing Guidebook for Local Officials
This guidebook is intended to aid local officials in understanding the grant writing process. Grant writing tips, logistics, and formatting are all presented in this guide, as well as a section on how the grant writing process will help with the navigation and application to the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).
New York State Capital Improvements Program Development for Local Officials
This guidebook was created to aid local officials in understanding the development and implementation of a Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Information for this guide was tailored and consolidated from various sources to meet the needs of small, rural municipalities. This guidebook begins with an introduction to developing a Capital Improvements Program, followed by a more in depth look at the major components of the CIP, mainly the capital plan and the capital budget.
New York State Zoning Board Appeals Guidebook for Local Officials
This guidebook is intended to aid local officials in understanding the Zoning Board of Appeals. This guidebook provides an introduction to the administrative body that is the Zoning Board of Appeals, common vocabulary associated with the responsibilities and actions the board will encounter, and a detailed description of the procedure which the board will follow and all associated tasks for which it is responsible for.
New York State Planning Board Operation Guidebook for Local Officials
This guidebook is intended to aid local officials in understanding the organization, powers, duties, and procedures of the planning board. The guide provides an overview of the fundamental powers and duties of town, village, and city planning boards.
Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) Quick Guide
This guide provides a brief overview of the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). The CFA was developed by Governor Cuomo to improve New York State’s economic development model by streaming and expediting the grant application proces for multiple state funding sources through one online application. The CFA eliminates the need for applicants to navigate through multiple agencies and fill out multiple applications.
2014 NYS Community Needs Survey
This report summarizes the findings of a 2014 survey of village mayors, town supervisors, town clerks, superintendents, and planning and zoning board members. The survey gauged the level of awareness, understanding, and needs that rural communities have regarding rural smart growth, water infrastructure, stormwater management, land-use planning, agricultural districts and available resources.
2013 Funding Guide for Capital Projects in Sustainable Materials Management
With this reference tool, we hope to take some of the guesswork out of grant research for capital projects in sustainable materials management. This reference tool was created to help guide local governments and non-profits in New York State in search of federal, state, and third party financing for sustainable capital projects.
2013 National Community Summit on Green Infrastructure: Summary Report, Conclusions, and Recommendations
This report provides a summary of proceedings at the October 2013 National Community Summit on Green Infrastructure in Syracuse. The report provides conclusions and recommendations from summit dialogues on program development and project selection, innovative financing, operations and maintenance, performance, and promoting adoption.
Report on New York State’s 2010 SRF Sustainability Pilot Project
Beginning in 2010, EPA’s Office of Water and Office of Sustainable Communities jointly sponsored a pilot technical assistance program with three state CWSRF programs to explore potential modifications that could encourage investments in public infrastructure such as road; utilities; schools; and police, fire, and ambulance service. New York State’s program will be the focus of this report. The goal of this report is to gather lessons learned and best practices in these pilot states and other states undertaking similar initiatives so that all SRF programs can benefit from this information and thereby facilitate more widespread adoption of practices that encourage states to focus resources in existing communities and infrastructure systems to leverage past investments.
January 2013 Wastewater Management Handbook for Local Representatives
NYWEA and the SU-EFC collaborated with the help of many partners to produce the Second Edition of Wastewater Management Handbook for Local Representatives. Download the entire handbook here, or download individual chapters by selecting the appropriate link below.
This handbook is designed to be a reference tool for local officials, public administrators, and managers. In addition to the basic treatment operations, this handbook will discuss the strategies to ensure compliance, funding, adequate training, and public education. This reference will also help public officials familiarize themselves with financial management tools, loan and grant assistance, as well as learn about capital improvement planning to enhance long term economic viability.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Wastewater Management
Chapter 2: Asset Management and Sustainability
Chapter 3: Financial Management & Rate Structures
Chapter 4: Regulatory Overview and Legal Responsibilities
Chapter 5: Educating and Engaging the Public on Wastewater Treatment
Chapter 6: Stormwater Management and MS4s
Chapter 7: Collection Systems
Chapter 8: Staff Training Demands, Succession Planning and Certification
Chapter 9: NYWARN–Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network
Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms
Appendix 2: Financial Glossary
2013 Field Guide of Financial Support for Capital Projects
Updated from the 2011-2012 version, this guide is designed for New York municipalities and local governments looking to fund sustainable and environmentally friendly capital projects.
2012 New York State Reuse Directory
The New York State Reuse Directory profiles more than 200 organizations and offers a range of reuse and re-manufacturing services arranged by materials categories. This second edition of the New York State Reuse Directory is based on research by the Reuse Alliance, and was updated and published by SU-EFC.
2011 – 2012 Resource Guide for New York State Farm Owners and Operators
This reference tool was created by the SU-EFC to help guide NEw York State farmers and agricultural Technical Service Providers as they try to identify available funding programs and other resources available to them.
2011- 2012 Field Guide of Financial Support for Capital Projects
The SU-EFC has published an essential, practical, and easy-to-use tool for New York municipalities and local governments looking to fund sustainable and environmentally friendly capital projects, especially those applying for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
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011 Urban and Rural Treatment Wetlands Manual
This publication is an overview of some current research based guidance on how improved natural degraded wetlands and constructed wetlands can assist us by becoming “green infrastructure” to solve runoff and water quality problems.
The Reuse It! Guide
This handy brochure outlines simple ways to reduce waste through reuse, and highlights reuse organizations with more information and resources about the world of reuse.
Past Publications
Handbook on Wastewater Management for Local Representatives
Developed by the SU-EFC, NYSDEC, US EPA Region 2, and NYWEA, this handbook is designed to be a reference tool for local officials, public administrators, and managers. In addition to the basic treatment operations, this handbook discusses the strategies to ensure compliance, funding, adequate training, and public education. This reference will also help public officials familiarize themselves with financial management tools, loan and grant assistance, as well as learn about capital improvement planning to enhance long term economic viability.To access a PDF version, please click here.
GreenPrint for Success: A How-to Guide for Building a Green Job Training Program
This “how-to” guide walks the reader through the nuts and bolts of creating, implementing, and evaluating a green jobs program. It is based on real world experience from more than 30 organizations involved in green jobs programs. To access a PDF version, please click here.
Green Jobs Grants and Grantmaking Foundations Catalog
This booklet offers examples of government-funded grant programs from state and federal agencies, as well as examples of private and nonprofit grant-making foundations. A great starting point for those looking for money for their state and local green jobs projects. To access a PDF version, please click here.
An Empirical Study of the Green Innovation Grant Program
This in-depth report looks into the application and selection processes for the inaugural Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP), a New York State initiative created to allocate Green Project Reserve dollars under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In this EPA-funded project, SU-EFC worked with GIGP applicants and state officials to create recommendations for future rounds of the program. To access a PDF version, please click here.
Monthly e-News Archives
Quarterly Newsletters
September 2010: Green Infrastructure
June 2010: Beyond Waste
March 2010: Smart Growth
December 2009: Agricultural Best Management Practices
October 2009: Local Food
June 2009: Green Infrastructure
March 2009: Inaugural Issue
Maxwell Capstone Projects
The SU-EFC often partners with the Maxwell School at Syracuse University as a “client” for MPA students to develop reports that include extensive research on various topics of interest to our audiences. The work of these students over the years have proved to be valuable resources for SU-EFC audiences. Here is the library of past projects.
2011 – Trash to Treasure: Sustainable Financing Options for Integrated Material Management Programs
2010 – Making Syracuse Sustainable
2009 – The GreenPrint for Success: A “How-To” Guide for Building a Green Job Training Program
2008 – City of Oswego: Toward Municipal Sustainability
2008 – Wind Initiatives in U.S. Virgin Islands
2007 – Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Management
2007 – Emergency Preparedness in Rural Communities
2007 – LEED in Upstate New York: An Exploration of Barriers, Resources and Strategies
2007 – Field Guide of Financial Support for Sustainable Capital Projects
2005 – Affordability and Sustainability of Municipal Water Supply and Sanitation For Households in Rural New York
2005 – Alternative Financing of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Communities
2004 – Intermunicipal Agreements in NYS
2003 – Impact of Public Participation on the Development of USDA Rural Utility Projects
2002 – Tapping Resources for Rural Communities
1999 – Analysis of Smart Growth Policies in New York State