EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest - April 1, 2016
EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest - April 1, 2016
EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest - April 1, 2016
Headlines
National
*EPA Announces Funding for Water Reuse and Conservation Research
EPA announced funding to five institutions to research human and ecological health
impacts associated with water reuse and conservation practices.
*EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for
Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights
The purpose of this Guidance is to enhance EPAs consultations under the EPA Policy on
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes in situations where tribal treaty rights may
be affected by a proposed EPA action.
*EPA announces winners of Phase I of the Nutrient Recycling Challenge
The 34 selected submissions were also invited to the Nutrient Recycling Challenge DC
Summit, in Washington, DC on March 30-31, 2016. The summit will provide a forum for
innovators to meet experts and other innovators, as well as learn about resources to
develop their ideas into real-life technologies.
*USDA Seeks Applications for Loans and Grants to Help Rural Businesses
USDA is seeking applications for loans and grants to help support the start-up or
expansion of rural businesses. For information on how to apply, contact your Rural
Development state office or page 14415 of the March 17 Federal Register.
*EPA Report: Diesel Engine Grant Program Nets Major Air, Public Health Benefits
Since its start in 2008, the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) program has
significantly improved air quality for communities across the country by retrofitting and
replacing older diesel engines.
*New Report: The Economics of Local Food Systems: A Toolkit to Guide
Community Discussions, Assessments and Choices
This report from the USDA and Colorado State University will help communities and
businesses evaluate the economic benefits of investing in local food systems.
*New Tool: USDA "Plant a Window Box for Pollinators" Using New People's Garden
Initiative Website
The new tool allows people to determine which plants will provide pollinator forage based
on their zip code. The interactive People's Garden website also includes the popular live
USDA "bee cam" which broadcasts honeybee activity on the roof of USDA's headquarters
building in Washington, D.C.
Region 7
*EPA Teams Collected Nearly 3,000 Tons of Residential Debris and Hazardous
Materials from December Flooding in St. Louis
EPA Region 7 and its contractors collected almost 3,000 tons of residential debris and
hazardous materials during a nearly two-month-long mission to help residents of Missouris
Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties recover from severe flooding caused
by heavy rains in late December 2015.
*Pella Corporation Named 2016 Energy Star Partner of the Year for Outstanding
Achievements in Energy Efficiency, Des Moines Public Schools, Principal Real
Estate Investors of Des Moines, and Metro Lighting of Brentwood, Mo., Also Energy
Star Honorees
Since its inception in 1992, Energy Star and its partners, including the 149 Partners of the
Year awardees, have helped prevent a total of more than 2.4 billion metric tons of
greenhouse gas emissions. In 2014 alone, Energy Star and its partners provided more
than $11 billion in societal benefits due to reducing damages from climate change.
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Ongoing Opportunities
Tribal Climate Change Funding Guide Regularly updated grants and programs
EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program
USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Contact Local USDA Service
Center
Apply for a Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Orchard in Your Community
American Planning Association Community Planning Assistance Teams
Climate Solutions University Adaptation Plan Assistance
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2016 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality May 17-19, Niagara Falls, NY
River Rally 2016 May 20-23, Mobile, AL
10th International Symposium on Agriculture and the Environment May 23-27, West
Lafayette, Indiana
7th World Fisheries Congress May 24-27, Busan, Korea
Zero Waste Business Conference: Tuning in to Zero Waste June 1-4, Austin, TX
Grey to Green Cities June 1-4, Toronto, ON
Sustainable Brands 2016 June 6-9, San Diego, CA
One Water Summit June 8-10, Atlanta, Georgia
CNU 24: The Transforming City June 8-11, Detroit, MI
2016 LOCUS National Leadership Summit June 13-15, Boston, MA
*NOAA Climate Stewards Free Regional Climate Education Workshop June 13-16
Salt Lake City, UT
*NOAA Climate Stewards Free Regional Climate Education Workshop June 21-22,
New Orleans, LA
*NOAA Climate Stewards Free Regional Climate Education Workshop June 30-July
2, Boulder, CO
Climate Strategies Forum - East Coast July 18-20, Arlington, VA
Earth Educators Rendezvous July 18-22, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI
Urban Waters 4th National Training Workshop July 26-28, Arlington, VA
*NOAA Climate Stewards Free Regional Climate Education Workshop August 3-4,
Charleston, SC
*Kansas Environmental Conference August 9-11, Hutchinson, KS
North American Symposium on Climate Adaptation August 16-18, New York, NY
National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Workshop August 23-25, Salt Lake City, UT
*2016 Missouri Recycling Association (MORA) Recycling Conference September 1214, St. Louis, MO
The workbook provides guidance for conducting risk-based climate change vulnerability
assessments and developing adaptation action plans. It is an ideal tool for place based
organizations that manage environmental resources. This talk will give an overview of the
workbook steps and insight into why and how to use it. This discussion will be focused on
EPA Region 7 states and tribes.
*Celebrating Innovations that Support the Growth of Plastics Recycling April 19, 121:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will provide information about each of the 2016 Association of Plastics
Recyclers Plastics Recycling Showcase Innovations:
CDFA Brownfields Financing Webinar: Reaching Your Redevelopment Goals With
Revolving Loan Funds April 21, 12:30 p.m. CST
Learn the key features of a successful Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund and the
commonalities and challenges associated with implementing this underutilized financing
resource.
Useful to Usable Educational Resources Training Webinar May 6, 1-2:00 p.m. CST
This webinar discusses the tools and educational materials available to you so that you
can maximize the U2U Decision Support Tool Suite.
*The APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability: A Guided Tour through this
Comprehensive Product Design Reference Tool June 28, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will provide a step by step guide through the extensive resources provided
on the Association of Plastics Recyclers website.
*Plastics Recycling Works: Facts and Figures to Support a Thriving Industry
August 9, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will provide an overview of the environmental benefits of recycling, market
trends, brand owner sustainability goals, and future areas of growth in the plastics
recycling industry.
*Recycling Rigid Plastics Beyond Bottles: Resources to Support MRFs and
Municipalities September 6, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will provide an overview of the resources, developed by the Association of
Plastics Recyclers for MRFs and Municipalities to support the expansion of plastics
collected.
*2015 PET Container Recycling Rate Report Overview October 18, 12-1:00 p.m.
CST
This webinar will serve as an Executive Summary, featuring data and analyses from the
Report on Postconsumer PET Container Recycling Activity in 2015.
*2015 National Postconsumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Rate Report Overview
November 15, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will serve as an Executive Summary, featuring data and analyses from the
2015 National Postconsumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Rate Report.
EPA Computer Training Helps Water and Wastewater Utilities Build Resilience
The training covers several topics including: identifying and funding potential hazard
mitigation projects, developing and updating an Emergency Response Plan (ERP),
coordinating mutual aid and assistance during emergencies, conducting damage
assessments, and many more.
EPA Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments 10-Part Webinar Series
Student Curriculum: Recipes for Healthy Kids, and a Healthy Environment
Each 45-minute lesson empowers kids to take steps in their everyday lives to improve
the environment for their communities and reduce their environmental risk.
LeanPath presents: Five Food Waste Myths to Debunk Now!
This webinar will explore five myths about food waste and the facts you need to debunk
them in your kitchen.
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This digest is being provided by EPA Region 7 for informational purposes only.
This digest contains links to information, agencies, sites, and organizations outside of the
EPA website.
EPA is not responsible for third party links. EPA does not endorse third party organizations or
agencies.