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Happy New Year! We hope you enjoy this latest edition of our monthly EFC newsletter, as well as the new look! Inside, you'll find recent news from EPA and other partners and organizations on environmental policy and issues, new publications, upcoming events, and funding opportunities. For more information on how to engage EFC, or to submit news and events, please feel free to contact us or visit our website.
Sincerely, 
Sara Pesek
Director
Environmental Finance Center |
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EFC Releases Resource Guide for New York State Farm Owners and Operators
EFC is proud to announce the release of a new publication: 2011-2012 Resource Guide for New York State Farm Owners and Operators. This reference tool was created to help guide New York State farmers and agricultural Technical Service Providers to identify available funding programs and other resources available to them. To download the guide, click here.
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Partnership for Sustainable Communities Releases "Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities"
The Partnership for Sustainable Communities along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a new report on how the agencies are collaborating to support rural communities. "Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities" highlights how rural communities and small towns are using resources from EPA, HUD and DOT to strengthen their economies, provide better quality of life to residents, and build on local assets such as traditional main streets, agricultural lands, and natural resources. To learn more and to download the report, click here.
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The Vibrant Cities & Urban Forests Report was recently released at the Partners in Community Forestry Conference, in a joint breakout session with New York Restoration Project, the U.S. Forest Service, Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition and the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council. To learn more and to view the report, click here.
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Comment Period Open for the Final Report of the Dialogue on Sustainable Financing of Recycling of Packaging at the Municipal Level
EPA's Final Report of the Dialogue on Sustainable Financing of Recycling of Packaging at the Municipal Level is available for public comment until Feb. 9, 2012. The report is posted on EPA's website and available for public comment on Regulations.gov under docket number EPA-HQ-RCRA-2011-0912. To view the report. click here.
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New Report Outlines Jobs Created by Container Deposit Programs
A new report from the Container Recycling Institute shows that jobs could be created from what many people throw away. But unlike similar studies, this one specifically examines U.S. jobs related to beverage container recycling and different collection methods. For the full story, and to read the report, click here.
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Conferences, Trainings & Webinars
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Applied Green Infrastructure Training
Syracuse, NY | Jan. 11, 2012
Integrating Green Infrastructure techniques for stormwater management has changed the design paradigm from an "end-of pipe" treatment approach to one encompassing source control. Using the techniques and standards outlined in the 2010 NYDEC Stormwater Design Manual, this course will explore the process of selecting and designing effective GI practices, and review the method for computing the associated runoff reduction. Designed as an in-depth follow-up to last year's introduction to Green Infrastructure, this training will emphasize applications to numerous development conditions, and discuss some of the nuances of these stormwater management techniques identified in practice over the past year. Registration deadline is Jan. 4. For more information and to register, click here.
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Stormwater Ponds & Wetlands
Syracuse, NY | Feb. 8, 2012
Stormwater ponds, and to a lesser extent stormwater wetlands, are the most widely used and accepted stormwater management practices presently employed. Properly designed and managed ponds and wetlands mitigate peak runoff and effectively remove pollutants from stormwater, while creating an aesthetically attractive and environmentally diverse feature for development sites. This course will cover all attributes of pond and wetland design, hydrology and hydraulics, plant selection and maintenance requirements.
Topics Include:
* Characteristics
* Effectiveness and limitations
* Design elements
* Hydrology and hydraulics
* What's new & innovative
* Vegetation/planting
* Maintenance
Registration deadline is February 1, 2012. For more information and to register, click here.
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EPA Extends Comment Period for the Proposed CAFO Rule
On October 21, 2011, EPA published a proposed rule that would require concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) to submit basic operational information to the Agency. EPA received requests from the public for additional time to submit comments, and is extending the public comment period to January 19, 2012. EPA proposed the rule in order to more effectively carry out its CAFO permitting programs on a national level and ensure that CAFOs are implementing practices to protect water quality and human health. For more information and to submit comments, click here. |
EPA and U.S. Department of Energy to Develop Renewable Energy on Previously Contaminated Sites
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory are evaluating the feasibility of developing wind or solar power production on three previously contaminated sites in New York State. The assessments are part of the RE-Powering America's Land Initiative through which EPA will help revitalize abandoned sites, clean up the environment and lay the groundwork for renewable energy and job creation. The EPA and DOE will evaluate sites in 20 states including Lackawanna, South Buffalo and Ulster, New York. For the full story, click here. |
EPA Reaches Agreement with Hotel Developers to Settle Violations of Clean Water Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a legal settlement with the developers of the Vanderbilt and La Concha Hotels of San Juan for discharging pollutants into the San Juan stormwater sewer system, which is connected to the Condado Lagoon. The settlement requires the payment of a $472,240 civil penalty and the expansion of an existing artificial habitat for fish in the Condado Lagoon. For the full story, click here. |
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Jan. 11, 2012
Applied Green Infrastructure Training
Syracuse, NY
Details
Jan. 17, 2012
US Energy Policy and Shale Gas; Economist Deborah Rogers. 5:30 pm Syracuse City Commons
Feb. 8, 2012
Stormwater Ponds and Wetlands
Syracuse, NY
Details
Mar. 15, 2012
Stormwater Management for Linear Projects
Syracuse, NY
Details
Apr. 10-12, 2012
Smart Management for Small Communities
Blue Mountain Lake, NY
Details
Apr. 25, 2012
SWPPP Preparation and Review
Syracuse, NY
Details
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EPA:
Sustainable Chesapeake: A Community-Based Approach to Stormwater Management Using Green Infrastructure Deadline: Jan. 11 EPA: Deadline: Jan. 23 EPA: Environmental Justice Small Grants Deadline: Feb. 29 Helpful links for funding sources, as well as a number of published funding guides, can be found at the EFC website. |
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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 Rahma Edible Forest Snack Garden. The Snack Garden edible forest ecosystem will provide an alternative snack source and showcase a model which can then be replicated in many other communities.
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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.
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Communications and
Program Manager
Kathy Forrest
Administrative Assistant
Mark Lichtenstein
Principal Investigator
Carissa Matthews
Outreach Program Manager
Sara Pesek
EFC Director
Mandy Westerdahl
Education Program Manager
Melissa Young
Program Manager
Yusuf Abdul-Qadir
Brad DeFrees
Sam Lauritzen
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