After a two-year investigation into the potential costs and benefits of Marcellus Shale gas drilling in New York, NYS DEC has relased a revised generic environmental impact report. There will now be a 60-day comment period, after which the DEC can adopt or change the report before drilling can begin. To download the report in PDF, click here.  To view the report online, click here.

A new online training module intended to encourage and facilitate public involvement in EPA's Water Quality Standards program is now available on EPA's website.  "How to Develop and Implement Public Involvement Programs and Practices" outlines the requirements of public involvement and highlights good practices for creating an effective public participation process in decisions that affect water quality. To experience the new module, click here. 

With support from EFC, CItizens Campaign for the Environment recently published "The Finger Lakes Region Gas Lease Mapping Project." Leases reflected in the report were filed between 2005-2010. The Finger Lakes Region is defined by eleven parallel glacial-cut lakes and is known as New York's Wine and Bread Basket. These lakes also supply drinking water to 1.5 million people and support diverse agricultural products. The report highlights how these existing uses would be impacted by industrial gas drilling. To download the report in PDF, click here. 

The Environmental Facilities Corporation has announced that the Federal Fiscal Year 2012 Intended Use Plans (IUP) for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) are now available. The draft IUPs explain the CWSRF and DWSRF programs and list projects eligible for CWSRF and DWSRF financing between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012. The finalized CWSRF and DWSRF 2012 IUPs will be published in late September. There will also be public meetings and hearings as well as webinars with more information about the draft IUPs. For more information, click here. 

Syracuse, NY | Aug. 16
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM 

Hosted by EFC, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, this workshop will teach interested Central New York businesses more about composting within an office setting, with an opportunity for attendees to win a free worm bin. For more details and to register, click here.  

Webinar | Aug. 23
10:00 PM - 11:30 AM 

This webinar will cover how municipal governments are propelling policy changes to ensure sustainable management of end-of-life products such as batteries, carpeting, and products containing mercury and other harmful substances. Presenters will provide sample resolutions that can be adapted for your community, discuss case studies of communities that have already enacted policies, and talk about how local movements lead to policy change at the state and national level. Speakers will include leaders from state and national product stewardship organizations, including Katherine Bourbeau of the New York State Product Stewardship Council. For more details and to register, click here.  

Syracuse, NY | September 14
9:30 AM - 2:30 PM 

Join local experts in organics management planning and composting from Cornell Waste Management Institute and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for a day of learning and discussion. If you are looking to start composting yard trimmings or food scraps generated in your municipality or institution, or would like suggestions for making your organics recycling program more effective, then this forum is for you. This event is brought to you by EFC and the NYSAR3 Organics Council. For more information and to register, click here.

Syracuse, NY | September 22
10:00 AM - 2:30 PM 

This TAPF will include public infrastructure funding updates as well as an overview of the new land bank legislation in New York, and what it means for local community leaders and technical assistants. The workshop will take place in conjunction with the Syracuse Center of Excellence's annual Symposium at the Oncenter Complex in Syracuse, NY. For more information and to register, click here.

Ellicottville, NY | October 6-7 

Continuing the Local Leaders Conference series hosted by EFC, this event in Ellicottville 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. For more information and to register, click here.

 Aug. 2, 2011 

Integrating Sustainable Consumption into Your Community

Webinar.

Assessing the Job Impacts of Clean Energy

Webinar.

Details 

Tips for Starting an Office Compost System
Syracuse, NY.

Aug. 23, 2011:

Sept. 14, 2011:

Rainwater Harvesting as a Stormwater Management Practice Webinar.

Details

Sept. 14, 2011 

Tips and Tools for Managing Organics: A Forum for Municipal and Institutional Solid Waste Managers
Syracuse, NY.

Sept. 22, 2011:

Vacant Lots to Vibrant Communities: Technical Assistance Partnership Forum 

Syracuse, NY. 

Details  

Oct. 6-7, 2011:

Smart Management for Small Communities: Practical Resources for Governance

Ellicottville, NY.

Details  

Environmental Justice Grant 

Applications due September 9 

Details   

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

Green Project Exchange

™ is a user-driven database that showcases innovative, environmentally focused projects from across New York State.

This month's featured project is the Green Core Company Program. Green Core Company certification provides a blueprint for businesses working to achieve green operations through reduced environmental and social impacts, and recognizes businesses that make a substantial effort to develop a culture of sustainability within their organization; while challenging the offense of "greenwashing" - the unregulated and improper use of the term and methodology of "green" for marketing advantage.

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.