EPA Releases NEPAssist web application

NEPAssist

NEPAssist
NEPAssist is a tool that facilitates the environmental review process and project planning in relation to environmental considerations. The web-based application draws environmental data dynamically from EPA Geographic Information System databases and web services and provides immediate screening of environmental assessment indicators for a user-defined area of interest. These features contribute to a streamlined review process that potentially raises important environmental issues at the earliest stages of project development.

Find help resources for NEPAssist in the Help section.
Go to NEPAssist

WEBCAST - Feb 24th - Implementation of the HUD/DOT/EPA Partnership on Sustainable Communities

In order to take advantage of the Sustainable Communities Program here in the deep south, it might help to understand how it is being applied in other areas of the U.S.  This free webinar will cover projects in the Midwest.

February 24, 2012 - 12:00pm eastern

Presentation given by:
Stephanie Cwik, USEPA Region 5
Christopher Choi, USEPA Region 5
Jonathan Grosshans, USEPA Region 5
Danielle Potts, USEPA Region 5

Click here to register for this free webinar!

Speakers will cover three projects that have been implemented in the Midwest through the Sustainable Communities Project:

Indianapolis, IN
This project focused in on several Indianapolis neighborhoods which have experienced severe population loss, contains multiple brownfield sites, and is the focus of potential transportation investment. The project team analyzed opportunities for coordination of federal, state, and local investment in the neighborhoods, and created a structured investment plan.

Toledo, OH
EPA's community efforts in Toledo builds on the investment of brownfield assessment and cleanup work around the former Jeep Site, a large, contaminated property northwest of downtown. Over the past couple of years, we have been working with local partners to develop a strategy and workplan to implement improvements to the surrounding communities that will be impacted by the Jeep site redevelopment. We will present our progress to date, and some of the upcoming challenges and opportunities as this project moves forward.

Moline, IL
Significant transportation funding has been designated toward the creation of a high speed rail line and station serving Moline, Illinois. The rail station will be built on a former a brownfield site, which is a former Sears warehouse, adjacent to the successful John Deere Commons downtown redevelopment project. The project team brought in expertise to bring together the practical issues and challenges associated with application of green building approaches in concert with historic preservation

Click here to register for this free webinar!

Corpus Christi is Among Recipients of $750,000 in Smart Growth Assistance Provided by EPA

Release Date: 02/03/2012
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Jennah Durant at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities is a project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities among EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The interagency collaboration coordinates federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently. The partnership is helping communities across the country create more housing choices, make transportation more efficient and reliable, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that attract businesses.

Corpus Christi is receiving assistance in the development of a walking audit, which will help form a vision for short- and long- term improvements to sidewalks and streets.

Today’s announcement marks the second round of Building Blocks assistance. Thirty-two other communities were named in the first round in April 2011. EPA selected the 56 communities from 350 applicants through a competitive process in consultation with EPA’s regional offices, HUD, DOT, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

More information on the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/feb2012.html

HUD-DOT-EPA-USDA Report on Rural Sustainability

The HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities and the USDA has released Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities, a report that discusses how small towns and rural places are using federal resources 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.

The report includes sections on how HUD, DOT, EPA, and USDA programs support environmentally and economically sustainable growth in rural places; performance measures rural communities can use to target their investments; and 12 case studies of rural communities using federal resources to achieve their development and economic goals. It also outlines steps the Partnership for Sustainable Communities is pursuing to support small towns and rural places.

To read the report, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/2011_11_supporting-sustainable-rural-communities.pdf

For more information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, please visit http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov