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EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest - March 16, 2017
EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest - March 16, 2017
*EPA and FDA Issue Updated Advice on Eating Fish and Shellfish
EPA and FDA recently jointly issued final updated advice about eating fish and shellfish. This advice is
geared toward helping women who are pregnant or may become pregnant as well as breastfeeding
mothers and parents of young children make informed choices when it comes to fish that are healthy and
safe to eat as it pertains to methylmercury. The FDA and EPAs new advice for the first time features an
easy-to-use chart that sorts 62 types of fish and shellfish that are sold into 3 categories:
"best choices" that can be eaten 2 to 3 times a week
"good choices" that can be eaten one serving a week
fish to avoid.
The advice recommends 2-3 servings (8-12 ounces) a week of "best choices" fish for adults and 1-2
servings a week of smaller portion sizes for children.
*EPA Report: Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Data-Treatment Chemicals, Construction Materials,
Transportation, On-site Equipment, and Other Processes for Use in Spreadsheets for Environmental
Footprint Analysis (SEFA)
Since the USEPA launched its green remediation program, metrics such as impacts, outcomes, and
environmental burdens of remediation actions have been difficult to assess. This report estimates
environmental emission factors (EmF) for key chemicals, construction and treatment materials,
transportation/on-site equipment, and other processes used at remediation sites.
*USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands due April 24
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced they are investing up to $15 million in
technical and financial assistance to help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and
enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands. Restored wetlands improve water quality downstream and
improve wildlife habitat, while also providing flood prevention and recreational benefits to communities.
Funding will be provided through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP), part of the
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), a Farm Bill conservation program.
National Brownfields Training Conference 2017 Now Accepting Proposals Due March 17
Submit an abstract for Brownfields Conference sessions or presentations. The conference will be held in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 5 -7, 2017.
Regional
Call for Presentations: 2017 Growing Sustainable Communities Conference Due March 19
Submit your application for consideration as a presenter at the 10th Annual Growing Sustainable
Communities Conference, scheduled to be held at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa, on October 3
and 4, 2017. All presentations should include case studies of sustainability focused projects involving
municipal governments, educational or health care institutions, non-profit organizations, and/or high-profile
commercial initiatives that significantly impact local economies, ecologies and/or address issues of
resiliency, social/cultural vibrancy or equity.
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DOE SunShot Prize: Solar in Your Community Challenge is open to teams working to develop a
portfolio of solar projects in their communities or create new solar programs that extend solar access to LMI
households and nonprofits. Due March 17
FTA Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program is open for Tribes to support planning,
capital, and, in limited circumstances, operating assistance for tribal public transit services. Due March 20
*National Park Service Tribal Heritage Grants available to Federally recognized Indian tribes for
cultural and historic preservation projects. Due March 24
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Grants fund innovative projects designed to strengthen market
opportunities for local and regional food producers and businesses. Due March 27
USDA Local Food Promotion Program supports the development and expansion of local and regional
food business enterprises to increase domestic access to locally and regionally produced agricultural
products. Due March 27
*Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects provides funding to
improve the quality and quantity of comprehensive community-based programs for at-risk children, youth,
and families supported by the Cooperative Extension System. Due March 29
USDA Rural Energy for America Program helps agricultural producers and rural small
businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nations critical energy needs.
Due March 31
Ongoing Opportunities
USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program Grants
POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Grants
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Tribal Climate Change Funding Guide Regularly updated grants and programs
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American Water Resources Association Summer Specialty Conference June 25-28, Tysons, VA
Native Youth Community Adaptation and Leadership Congress July 9-15, Shepherdstown, WV
Earth Educators Rendezvous July 17-21, Albuquerque, NM
2017 Community Involvement Training August, Kansas City, MO
*Tribal Lands and Environment Forum (TLEF) August 14-17, Tulsa, OK,
California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) 2017 Conference August 20-23, San Diego, CA
2017 Growing Sustainable Communities Conference October 3-4, Dubuque, IA
*Governors Conference on the Future of Water November 8-9, Manhattan, KS
2017 National Brownfields Training Conference December 5-7, Pittsburgh, PA
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*Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) Webinar- Solar+Storage for Low- and Moderate-Income
Communities March 16, 1:00 p.m. (ET)
As part of its Sustainable Solar Education Project, CESA is hosting a webinar for states and municipalities on
solar+storage for low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. The webinar will explain how solar+storage
can benefit LMI residents and will describe a variety of policy tools for doing so, including grants, rebates, utility
procurement standards, financing support, opening markets, and soft cost reductions.
*Cheap and Cheerful Stream and Riparian Restoration: Beaver Dam Analogues as a Low-cost
Tool March 22, 12:00 p.m. (EST)
Participate to learn how beaver-assisted restoration techniques can be applied as a low cost alternative for
restoring riparian areas. Presenters: Joe Wheaton, Ph.D., Professor, Utah State University, Logan, UT and
Jeremy Maestas, USDA NRCS West National Technology Support Center, Portland, OR.
*Effects of Drought on Recreation and Wilderness March 22, 2:00 p.m. (EST)
This webinar will explore how researchers, resource managers, and industry professionals are assessing and
addressing the impacts of drought on recreation and Wilderness opportunities and experiences.
*Low-Income Solar, Part 1: Lessons Learned from Energy Efficiency Programs March 23, 1-2:00 p.m.
(ET)
In this webinar, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researcher Ian Hoffman will discuss low-income
energy efficiency, including how programs can be tailored to different segments of the low-income population.
After considering the demographic composition of low-income populations, Ian will discuss different ways that
energy efficiency has been delivered to different segments of the population, including those in multifamily vs.
single-family housing, as well as what obstacles have been encountered and what new solutions are proposed.
*Post-Disaster Temporary Housing: Urban Planning Considerations March 23 1-2:00 p.m. CST
In cooperation with the American Planning Association (APA), the Association of State Floodplain Managers
(ASFPM) presents the March 2017 Planning Information Exchange (PIE) webinar. After large scale disasters,
the mission of temporary housing is critical. Much has changed since Katrina - one of the largest temporary
housing operations in modern history: the technology to construct temporary housing, considerations for
resiliency, the development and use of the National Disaster Recovery Framework, and a more integrated
approach to disaster recovery.
*DOE Webinar: Federal & State Policy: Advancing Tribal Energy Partnerships March 29, 10:00 a.m. -
12:00 p.m. (MT)
A number of federal laws and regulations can affect tribal energy activities and partnerships, so developing
energy resources through partnerships can be complex. Attendees will learn about circumstances where state
government regulatory responsibilities, services, and infrastructure benefits can impact communities (tribal and
nontribal alike), and which federal requirements could impact energy projects on tribal lands depending upon
the type of project, location, and size, among other considerations.
*EPA and USDA Forest Service Webinar- The Clean Water State Revolving Fund: Flexible Funding for
the Urban Tree Canopy March 29 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. (EDT)
Since its inception, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program has provided over $118 billion to
projects nationwide, making it EPAs largest source of funding for water quality. While the CWSRF has
traditionally funded publicly-owned treatment works, it can also fund green infrastructure including tree planting
and land acquisition for water quality improvement and protection. Attendees will learn about how the CWSRF
can be used as a funding source for green infrastructure and urban forestry projectsa cost effective way to
reduce combined sewage flooding problems.
*Webinar on The 500 Cities Project: Local Data for Better Health March 30, 2-3:00 p.m. (ET)
Local governments need population health measures at small geographic area levels for multiple purposes,
such as public health intervention, resource allocation, and health policy formulation. Such data however is
typically unavailable. The 500 Cities Project provides small area estimates at the city and census tract levels
for a select set of population health measures through a dedicated website that allows users to view and
explore the maps and data for the largest 500 cities in the United States. Through this webinar, you will better
understand the burden and geographic distribution of health-related variables and you will learn how to use this
data in planning public health interventions.
*EPA Webinars: Just Add EPA WaterSense to Your Energy Efficiency Efforts
April 5, 2017 1:00 p.m.(EDT)
September 13, 2017 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
If youre just focusing on energy, you may be leaving money on the table. Join EPA to learn how to incorporate
water into your energy management activities by assessing your facilitys water use and identifying areas of
water waste. Find out what it takes to make your building more water-efficient from simple, low-cost changes to
larger-scale improvements and how WaterSense tools can help you start maximizing your savings and building
performance.
*Webinar: Seeking Savings Indoors and Outdoors with EPA WaterSense July 12, 2017 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Join EPA to learn about water use profiles of typical commercial facilities and areas where water is often
wasted. Find out about free WaterSense tools and resources available to help facility managers and building
owners identify potential water savings including water-efficient products and practices to save water during
the operation and maintenance, renovation, and construction of commercial buildings. Come away with tips
and project ideas to proactively manage water use and maximize building performance with water, energy, and
cost savings.
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, coordinating mutual aid and assistance during
emergencies, conducting damage assessments, and many more.
This digest is being provided by EPA Region 7 for informational purposes only.
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