Wetlands have always been part of the ecosystem within which we live. They were, and still are in some places, maligned as "useless" and "worthless." Now we know better as we attempt to "re-engineer" wetlands systems to solve our current runoff and water quality problems. 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. To download a PDF of the manual and view other EFC publications, click here.   

Recently, EPA co-sponsored a live webcast for the Delaware River Basin Forum highlighting challenges to the quality and quantity of water fed from the Delaware River Basin that affect the public health of over 15 million people in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York. The recorded webcast is now available to view. For the full story, click here. For more information and to view recorded proceedings, click here.   

A new report by the Center for Clean Air Policy Urban Leaders Adaptation Initiative suggests that incorporating adaptation best practices into city planning strategies can have positive effects on community resilience, human health, air quality, energy demand and economic prosperity. The Value of Green Infrastructure for Urban Climate Adaptation documents the ways in which pioneering cities and counties have developed and applied proactive approaches to increase community resilience by planning for and adapting to emerging climate change impacts. For the full story, click here. To download the publication, click here.   

April 13, 2011

1:30 - 3:30PM ET    

This web broadcast, hosted by EPA, will provide an introduction to asset management for small drinking water and wastewater systems. Specific topics within the presentation include the five core questions of an asset management framework, real life examples heard from system managers of the benefits of implementing an asset management program, and different tools and resources available to help implement asset management practices. To learn more and to register, click here.

April 14, 2011

7:30AM - 1:30PM     

The STC Regional Leadership Conference provides information, sharing and training opportunities for elected and appointed local government officials in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben Counties. Classes and workshops are being planned in a variety of areas including community & economic development, financial resources, highways, municipal officials, environment and planning, court clerks and justices. EFC staff will present at the conference on Asset Management and Green Project Exchange. Cost for the conference will be $25 including lunch. To learn more and to register, click here.

Syracuse Center of Excellence | April 21
Syracuse, NY  

9:00 - 4:00 PM 

 
On April 21, the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) will offer a USGBC Education Provider Program for training in construction and demolition (C&D) waste reuse and recycling, "Building for the Future." If talking about reuse and recycling of C&D materials, writing a waste management plan, and identifying and selecting markets and haulers makes your head hurt, this training is for you. The day-long course will be taught by WasteCap Resource Solutions. Registration has been extended to April 12. For event details and to register, click here.

Minnowbrook Conference Center | April 27-29
Blue Mountain Lake, NY 

Continuing in the EFC tradition, our annual local leaders conference at Minnowbrook Conference Center in Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks will focus on the needs of municipal leaders and provide technical assistance, funding updates and practical skill-building sessions. Speakers will address pressing environmental topics, equipping attendees with the tools needed to address environmental challenges in our communities. Recent confirmed speakers include representatives from NYS DEC, Cornell Waste Management Institute, and more. For a preliminary agenda, more information, and to register, click here.

In early March, Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Principle Investigator Mark Lichtenstein facilitated a discussion between representatives from the Virgin Islands Recycling Partnership (VIRP) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck to address the issue of sustainable materials management for the Virgin Islands. From the group's discussion, a plan of action will be created that will be utilized to mobilize government leaders, community and environmental groups, and citizens to work towards the goal of a more sustainable Virgin Islands. Key steps outlined include reducing waste, creating a comprehensive recycling plan, and integrating a robust compost program. For the full story, click here.  

In late March, EPA proposed to grant a petition submitted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to limit sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from a Pennsylvania power plant that are adversely impacting air quality in four New Jersey counties. The proposed rule, when final, would require the Portland Generating Station in Northampton County, Pa. to reduce its SO2 emissions by 81 percent over a three-year period. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma and cause other respiratory difficulties. For the full story, click here. 

Recently, EPA has released Coming Together for Clean Water: EPA's Strategy to Protect America's Waters. The Coming Together for Clean Water strategy presents a framework for how EPA's national water program will address the challenges and highlights EPA's priorities for achieving clean water goals.  This strategy focuses on the following key areas: ensuring transparency and effectively reporting on the status of the health of all waters; increasing protection of source waters and healthy watersheds; restoring degraded waters and ecosystems; reducing the amount of pollution entering our waters that impact our health and our economy; and tackling new and emerging threats to our waters in a way that will ensure healthier, more livable communities. For more information, click here. 

EPA is proposing 30 currently unregulated contaminants for monitoring in water systems, and submitting a proposal for public comment as part of its commitment to implement sensible protections of drinking water for communities across the country, and as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The comment period will allow the public and other stakeholders to provide input on the selection of new contaminants for monitoring, and will help determine the best path forward as the EPA seeks to collect data that will inform future decisions about how best to protect drinking water. For the full story, click here. 

Apr. 6, 2011:

Conference on Small Community Systems and their Design; Riverhead, NY

Details

Apr. 13, 2011:  

Asset Management 101 for Water and Wastewater Systems, Webinar 

Details 

Apr. 13, 2011:

Farms, Folks, and Funding: Cultivating Leadership Through Research and Practice; Canandaigua, NY.

Details

Apr. 14, 2011:

Southern Tier Central Annual Regional Leadership Conference; Corning, NY.

Details

Apr. 21, 2011:

Building for the Future - Training in Construction and Demolition Recycling; Syracuse, NY

Details 

Apr. 27-29, 2011:

Smart Management for Small Communities: Practical Resources for Governance; Blue Mountain Lake, NY.

Details   

May 1-4, 2011:

NY Federation Conference Solid Waste & Recycling Tracks with Trade Show; Bolton Landing, NY.

Details 

May 17-18, 2011:

22nd Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference; Saratoga Springs, NY.
Details

EPA National Tribal Water Council Funding

Applications due Apr. 11

Details 

Environmental Education Grants  

Applications due May 2 

Details

Better Buildings Sub-Grants

Applications due May 17

Details  

Helpful links for funding sources, as well as a number of published funding guides, can be found here at the EFC website.

The Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University facilitates the development of sustainable and resilient communities across US EPA Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and eight tribal nations). Located at the SyracuseCoE Center for Sustainable Community Solutions, EFC enhances the administrative and financial capacities of state and local government officials, nonprofit organizations, and private sectors to make change toward improved environmental infrastructure and quality of life.