EPA Region 7

Communities Information Digest

May 22, 2015

Welcome to the latest EPA Region 7 Digest!

The purpose of the EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest is to
provide communities in the 4-state region and other interested areas the
latest news, webinars, conferences, funding, and other community -based
activities going on in the region and country related to human health and the
environment. (An * Indicates a new post.)
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news, funding, webinars or conferences related to environmental protection
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Headlines
*St. Louis Community College to Receive $192,300 from EPA to Recruit, Train and Place Workers in Green
Environmental Jobs
St. Louis Community College (STLCC) has been selected to receive a $192,300 grant from the U.S. EPA to recruit,
train and place local unemployed and underemployed individuals in full-time sustainable green jobs in a range of
environmental fields. The grant comes from EPAs Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training
(EWDJT) program. Announcement of the grant was made the morning of May 22 in St. Louis by EPA Assistant
Administrator Mathy Stanislaus, the top official of the Agencys Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response,
during his remarks to the most recent group of 10 new graduates from STLCCs Environmental Remediation Job
Training Program.

*New EPA Community Resources Site

EPA recently launched a new Community Resources website to help local officials and community members find
information for improving the environment, public health and quality of life. The site leverages information from
three existing community-oriented resources:
The Local Government Environmental Assistance Network, managed in partnership with the International
City/County Management
Association, provides information on environmental compliance and stewardship.
The National Resource Network, established by HUD as part of the Obama Administrations Strong Cities,
Strong Communities Initiative, offers practical solutions to help communities pursue economic development and
growth.
The EPA Community Health site can help users learn about and improve local environmental health conditions.
*EPA Provides Training to Help Communities Prepare for Climate Change
As part of President Obamas Climate Action Plan, the U.S. EPA released an online training module to help local
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As part of President Obamas Climate Action Plan, the U.S. EPA released an online training module to help local
government officials take actions to increase their communities resiliency to a changing climate. The virtual training
was developed with advice from EPAs Local Government Advisory Committee and is the latest addition to the U.S.
Climate Resilience Toolkit. It includes successful examples of effective resilience strategies that have been
implemented in cities and towns across the country. The training also explains how a changing climate may affect a
variety of environmental and public health services, such as providing safe drinking water and managing the effects
of drought, fires and floods. Local officials can access the training online at www.epa.gov/localadaptationtraining.

*EPA Solicits Proposals for the National Farmworker Training Cooperative Agreement Due June 8
EPAs Office of Pesticide Programs is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement that supports national
farmworker training aimed at reducing exposure to pesticides for agricultural workers, their families and the
agricultural community. This training will help ensure that farmworkers are aware of the strengthened protections
they are afforded under the final worker protection standards that EPA expects to release in September 2015.
*USDA Announces Grants to Enable More Farmers Markets to Serve Low-Income Families Due June 18
Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon recently announced the availability of
up to $3.3 million in competitive funding to support the ability of farmers markets to accept Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a form of
payment. Eligible applicants include farmers market organizations and associations, non -profit entities, state, local
and tribal nations and other organizations engaged in farmers market management.
*Bureau of Reclamation Releases Two Funding Opportunity Announcements to Promote Drought
Contingency Planning and Resiliency Projects Due June 25
The Bureau of Reclamation released two funding opportunity announcements under its new Drought Response
Program to help water users develop drought contingency plans and build long-term drought resiliency. To be
eligible, projects must be supported by an existing drought contingency plan, build future resiliency and meet one
of the following goals: increase the reliability of water supply and sustainability; improve water management;
implement systems to facilitate voluntary sale, transfer or exchange of water; or provide benefits for fish, wildlife
and the environment.
*Building for the Future: A New Federal Guide to Infrastructure Planning and Design
Recently, the White House convened the nations leading thinkers on infrastructure planning and design to highlight
how projects like new roads and transit lines can be designed to foster economic opportunity and increase
resilience to the impacts of climate change. To help communities seeking to expand their pipelines of well -designed
projects, the Administration is also releasing a Federal Guide to Infrastructure Planning and Design. This
community resource guide incorporates programs and opportunities from eight federal agencies and lays out a new
set of principles to inform the work of local and State governments, public and private utilities, planners and other
stakeholders around the U.S.
*USDA Announces $30 Million Available for Food Entrepreneurs and Agricultural Producers to Develop
New Products Due July 2
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that USDA is making $30 million available to farmers,
ranchers and food entrepreneurs to develop new product lines. Funding will be made available through the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.
*Regional Conservation Partnership Program Grants Due July 8
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners
nationwide to address natural resource objectives in balance with operational goals in order to benefit soil, water,
wildlife and related natural resources, and to accelerate conservation. Through the Regional Conservation
Partnership Program (RCPP), NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners in innovative, workable and cost-effective
approaches to benefit farming, ranching, and forest operations, local economies and the communities and
resources in a watershed or other geographic area.
*EPA Tribal Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2015 Due July 15
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting proposals for the Tribal Clean Diesel Funding
Assistance Program FY 2015 funded through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program. The total
estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $1 million.
*U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Announces $3 Million in Short-Term Planning
Assistance Available to Coal-impacted Communities under the Partnerships for Opportunity and
Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative
Successful applications will enable affected communities to develop detailed strategies to: diversify their
economies, create jobs in new or existing industries, attract new sources of job-creating investment, and/or how to
provide a range of workforce services that result in industry-recognized credentials for high-quality, in-demand jobs.
Successful applications may also include projects that explore the feasibility of specific economic development
diversification projects, entrepreneurship promotion, or assessments to provide community stakeholders key asset
and impact information from which to conduct future strategic planning.

*USDA Invests $6.5 Million to Help Conserve Water, Improve Water Quality in Ogallala Aquifer Region
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing
$6.5 million in the Ogallala Aquifer region this year to help farmers and ranchers conserve billions of gallons of
water and improve water quality. Funding will be targeted to seven priority areas to support their primary water
source and strengthen rural economies. Underlying the Great Plains in eight states, the Ogallala supports nearly
one-fifth of the wheat, corn, cotton and cattle produced in the United States. It has long been the main water supply
for the High Plains' population and is being depleted at an unsustainable rate.
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for the High Plains' population and is being depleted at an unsustainable rate.

*NOAA Announces $9 Million in Grants to Improve Coastal Community Resilience Due July 2 and July 24
Two new NOAA grant programs will help coastal communities and their managers create on-the-ground projects to
make them more resilient to the effects of extreme weather events, climate hazards, and changing ocean
conditions. This builds on NOAAs commitment to provide information, tools, and services to help coastal
communities reduce risk and plan for future severe events. NOAAs National Ocean Service is supporting the effort
with $5 million in competitive grant awards through the 2015 Regional Coastal Resilience Grant Program and
NOAA Fisheries is administering the companion $4 million Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants Program.
*USDA to Give Priority Funding for Regional Economic Development Projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced USDA's plan to implement a Farm Bill provision to help rural
communities plan and finance regional economic development strategies. The new Regional Development Priority
(RDP) policy will make it easier for rural communities to access resources to invest in long -term community
development efforts by giving priority to applications for Rural Development programs that include regional
partnerships and strategies. Under the RDP, communities with multi-jurisdictional economic development plans will
be able to request funding priority when they apply for loans and grants in four key USDA programs: the
Community Facilities Program; Business & Industry Loan Guarantee Program; Water and Environmental Program
and the Rural Business Development Grant Program.

*U.S. Government Agencies Announce Federal Combined Solar Energy Purchase

The U.S. EPA, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Energy and General Services Administration announced
the first federal partnership to purchase solar power through a contract solicitation entitled as the, "Federal
Aggregated Solar Procurement Project (FASPP)". The initial projects are anticipated to produce up to 5 megawatt
(MW) of solar power across the federal facilities.
May is National Asthma Awareness Month
EPA's Communities in Action Asthma Initiative supports local programs working to help people in their communities
bring asthma under control. An important part of this Initiative is raising awareness that asthma is a serious,
sometimes life-threatening chronic disease that can be controlled. Don't wait to take action - you can make every
month Asthma Awareness Month.

Funding & Technical Assistance Opportunities

Placemaking Micro-Grant from the National Association of Realtors Applications accepted on a rolling
basis
Calendar of 2015 EPA Grant Opportunities
Climate-Related Funding Opportunities Compiled by the Florida Climate Institute
HUD CDBG Disaster Recovery Assistance
USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Call Rural Development State Office for
Due Dates
USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Contact Local USDA Service Center
May 22: EPA Pollution Prevention Information Network (PPIN) Grant Program Request for Proposals
(RFP)
May 28: EPA Availability of Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) Funds
*June 1: What Works Cities Initiative to Provide Assistance
June 2: 3.5M in Safety & Health Training Grants Available from U.S. Dept. of Labor
June 5: Urban Land Institute's Resilience Grant Opportunity
June 5: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Makes $76 Million in Grant Funding Available Through
YouthBuild Program
*June 8: EPA Solicits Proposals for the National Farmworker Training Cooperative Agreement
June 15: EPA Seeking Proposals for National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program
*June 18: USDA Announces Grants to Enable More Farmers Markets to Serve Low-Income Families
June 22: CDC Community Health Projects Related to Contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites
*June 25: Bureau of Reclamations Two Funding Announcements to Promote Drought Contingency
Planning and Resiliency Projects
*July 2: The NOAA Fisheries Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants Program
*July 2: *USDA Announces $30 Million Available for Food Entrepreneurs and Agricultural Producers to
Develop New Products
*July 8: Regional Conservation Partnership Program Grants
*July 15: EPA Tribal Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2015
July 16: USDA Agriculture & Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant Program
*July 24: National Ocean Service 2015 Regional Coastal Resilience Grant Program Funds
*Sep. 30: USDA Announces Funding to Assist with Organic Certification Costs
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*Sep. 30: USDA Announces Funding to Assist with Organic Certification Costs
*Sep. 30: U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Announces $3 Million in Short-Term
Planning Assistance to Coal-impacted Communities under Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce
and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative

Meetings, Conferences, Training, & Events

Calendar of Events Related to Climate Change and Water
This page includes conferences, meetings, webinars, workshops and training opportunities related to climate
change and water.
Let us know if you have information to add by emailing us the details of the event.
May 31-June 1: 2nd Annual Local Leaders Council Policy Forum Washington, D.C.
June 2-3: 2015 LOCUS Leadership Summit: Private Sector Solutions to Affordability and Social Equity
Crisis Washington, D.C.
June 15-17: American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Specialty Conference New Orleans, LA
June 15-19: Great Urban Stream Workshop Pittsburgh, PA
June 24-26: 2015 Climate Strategies Forum Washington, D.C.
June 28: SunShot CSP Symposium San Diego, CA
July 13: Missouri Brownfields Conference Osage Beach, MO
July 13-17: Earth Educators' Rendezvous Boulder, CO
*June 16-18: 2015 National Health Impact Assessment Meeting Washington D.C.
July 19-25: 2015 Hands-On PV Experience (HOPE) Workshop Golden, CO
*July 30-31: Green Clean Schools Leadership Summit Seattle, WA
August 4-6: 2015 U.S. EPA Community Involvement Training Conference Atlanta, GA
August 17-20: 2015 Tribal Lands and Environment Forum Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
August 18-20: 2015 Kansas Environmental Conference Topeka, KS
September 2-4: National Brownfields Training Conference Chicago, IL
September 14-16: Old Trails and New Directions 2015 Missouri Recycling Association Conference
Kansas City, MO
*September 27-30: ICMA Annual Conference Seattle, WA
*September 30: Transit-Oriented Development Training Las Vegas, Nevada
October 18-21: Behavior, Energy & Climate Change Conference (BECC) Sacramento, CA
October 27-29: Policy Links Equity 2015: The National Summit Los Angeles, CA

Webinars, Conference Calls, & Twitter Chats

EPA ENERGY STAR Webcasts
Portfolio Manager 101 May 26, 1-2:30 p.m. EST
Portfolio Manager 201 May 28, 1-2:30 p.m. EST
EPA Webinars on Seeking Your Input about TCE and Paint Removers
EPA is holding several consultations to gather stakeholder input about reducing risks from several chemicals
assessed under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Work Plan, including trichloroethylene (TCE) and the
paint removers NMP and methylene chloride.
Environmental Justice Public Consultation on Trichloroethylene (TCE) May 27, 1-2 p.m. EST

Environmental Justice Public Consultation on Paint Removers NMP and Methylene Chloride
p.m. EST

May 27, 1-2

DOE Webcast: Models and Tools for Evaluating Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs May
27, 1-2:30 p.m. EST

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Model Forest Policy Program Webcast: Session 1: Panel - Building Social Resilience in Climate
Vulnerable Communities May 27, 3 p.m. EST
*Equity Summit 2015: Join Us to Make Regional Equity a Reality May 28, 2-3 p.m. EST
Regional equity is a unique framework for social change that has as its goal to ensure that everyoneregardless
of the neighborhood in which they livecan access what they need to participate, prosper, and reach their full
potential.
*Sign Up for a Webinar on EJSCREEN: EPA's New EJ Screening Tool May 28, 1-2:30 p.m. EST and June 3,
3:305 p.m. EST
EPA's Office of Environmental Justice is hosting webinars to introduce the public to EJSCREEN, EPA's new
environmental justice screening and mapping tool. The tool provides powerful data and mapping capabilities to
display demographic and environmental information for all areas of the United States.

*Tribal Climate Change Webinar About the Local Environmental Observer (LEO) Network May 29,
10-11:30 a.m. PST
The Local Environmental Observer (LEO) Network provides a model for engaging communities and connecting
with technical experts and resources. It also informs about specific events and the impacts, needs, and
responses.
*Webinar: FHWA Environmental Justice Reference Guide June 4, 1-2:30 p.m. EST
The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) invites you to participate in a FREE webinar about its
Environmental Justice (EJ) Reference Guide.
*Environmental Law Institute (ELI) Summer School 2015
ELI's Summer School is a series of brown-bag lunch seminars taught by experts in their fields, introducing the
audience to the major environmental statutes (including NEPA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered
Species Act, TSCA, RCRA, and CERCLA) and land use law. All are welcome. 2015 Schedule:
June 4, 2015: The Ins and Outs of Careers in the Environmental Field
June 11, 2015: NEPA, ESA & Fundamentals of Environmental Law
June 18, 2015: Basics of Land Use Law
June 25, 2015: Basics of the Clean Water Act
June 30, 2015: Hazardous Waste and Sites
July 9, 2015: Law & Policy of Products Regulation
July 23, 2015: Basics of the Clean Air Act
July 30, 2015: Basics of Energy Law
*The College And University Recycling Coalition (CURC) Presents Can That Be Composted? Should It Be?
Strategies for Your Campus in the Changing Composting Market Place June 11, 10-11:30 a.m. PST

*EPAs Sustainable Materials Management Web Academy presents "Advancing Sustainable Materials
Management: Facts and Figures 2013" Assessing Trends in Materials Generation, Recycling and Disposal
in the United States June 18, 10-11:30am PST

*Tribal Climate Change Webinar About Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change with NOAA June
23, 11-12:30 p.m. PST
The presentation will review known variability in extreme weather such as excessive heat, cold waves, floods,
droughts, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Projections and uncertainties of how these hazards
might change due to global warming will be reviewed.
2015 Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) Plastics Recycling Educational Web Seminar
Series Announced:
Foam Recycling: Facts, Figures, and Market Potential June 23
This webinar will detail the foam recycling process and work to debunk some of the common myths surrounding
this highly marketable material.

What Really Goes in that Bale? An Overview of the 2015 National Mixed Rigid Bale Composition
Study August 11
The 2015 National Mixed Rigid Bale Composition Study was conducted to categorize the composition of the
various types of mixed rigid plastic bales generated in North America, in addition to providing an estimate of the
volume and type of non-bottle rigid plastic available for recycling. This webinar will provide an executive summary
of the full study and report.
APR Resources to Support Domestic Plastic Recycling Markets September 15
APRs primary goal is to increase the amount of material available for recycling. This webinar will detail a variety
of resources available to the industry, state and local recycling officials, as well as the general public to support
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of resources available to the industry, state and local recycling officials, as well as the general public to support
the expansion of domestic plastic recycling markets and generate more supply.

Keep Your Caps On! A 2015 Update October 27

Due to an ever growing demand for material by plastic reclaimers, APR continues to support the Caps On
message. Historically, the perception has been that the best way to recycle a plastic bottle is with the cap
off. This web seminar will give an update on this initiative, address the common concerns surrounding the change,
and provide resources to those communities to support this message.
Greater Kansas City Regional Water Quality Education Committee Presents the 2015 Center for
Watershed Protection Webinars:

Multi-Sector & Industrial Stormwater Permits June 17, 12-1:30 p.m. CST
This webcast will feature insights on the permitting process, tools available for facility inventories and
inspections, and BMPs applicable to these types of site.
What to Do About Trashy Watersheds September 16, 12-1:30 p.m. CST
Learn from places that have been managing trash as part of local or regional TMDLs and some of the
approaches that have been tried. Of course, this webcast will feature a lot of trash-talking.
Checking in on Post-Construction Stormwater Management November 18, 12-1:30 p.m. CST
This webcast will explore innovations and trends in post-construction stormwater management, with MS4
case studies featuring program components and budgets.
All webinars will be streamed at the Mid-America Regional Council Conference Center at 600 Broadway,
Ste. 200, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) IMPROVING WETLAND RESTORATION SUCCESS
WEBINARS
Riverine/Riparian Wetland Restoration June 9, 3 p.m. EST
Presenters: Richard Weber, NRCS Wetland Team, CNTSC and Larry Urban, Montana Department of
Transportation

*Webinar: Impacts of Climate Change on Tribal Health June 24, 11-12:30 pm PST
This webinar will provide an overview of climate-related health impacts facing tribes and indigenous peoples in the
United States, drawing mainly from the results of the Third National Climate Assessment.
*Climate Change Impacts on Fish and Wildlife Webinar June 30, 11-12:30 p.m. PST
Climate change impacts are expected to increase with continued changes in the planets climate system. Action is
needed now to help safeguard fish, wildlife, and plants and the communities and economies that depend on them.
Community Air Monitoring Training: A Glimpse into EPA's Air Sensor Toolbox July 9, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
EST
The U.S. EPA is hosting a training webinar to share tools used to conduct citizen science projects involving Next
Generation Air Monitoring (NGAM) technology and to educate interested groups and individuals on best practices
for successful air monitoring projects.
CDFA Brownfield Financing Webinar Series
The Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) is excited to announce the CDFA Brownfield Financing
Webinar Series as part of the CDFA Brownfields Technical Assistance Program. The series will include three 90minute webinars over the year and will focus on effective utilization of brownfield and redevelopment financing
tools, while highlighting best practices, case studies, and CDFA's technical assistance program participants.
EPA and Partners Announce Monthly Webinar Series: Climate Information for Managing Risks in Water
Resources
The series is co-sponsored by the NOAA Sectoral Applications Research Program, U.S. National Integrated
Drought Information System, Water Research Foundation, Water Environment Federation, Water Environment
Research Foundation, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, and
EPA's Climate Ready Water Utility Initiative.

EPA Webinar "Climate Resilience: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and What You Can Learn from Others"
Available Online
EPA's Watershed Academy has archived the "Climate Resilience: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and What
You Can Learn from Others" webinar. The webinar can be viewed anytime The Workbook and other resources
can be found on the Climate Ready Estuaries website: http://www2.epa.gov/cre/risk-based-adaptation.

Other Environmental News

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*EPA: "Learn Triggers to Prevent Asthma Attacks"

One in 10 kids in America suffers from asthma, and communities of color and low-income families are
disproportionately impacted. Asthma is a major public health issue, affecting nearly 23 million people and
disproportionally affecting low-income and minority communities. The economic impact of asthma amounts to
more than $56 billion per year from direct medical costs and indirect costs, such as missed school and work
days. Americans can take important steps to help control their asthma symptoms and maintain active lifestyles
with three simple steps:
1. Identify and avoid environmental asthma triggers.
2. Create an asthma action plan.
3. Pay attention to air quality.
*Call for Nominations: EPA Science Advisory Board Due May 27
Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office publishes a
Federal Register Notice announcing opportunities for the public to nominate candidate experts to serve on the
SAB and certain SAB standing committees.
*What Works Cities Initiative to Provide Assistance Due June 1
The mission of this new, national initiative from Bloomberg Philanthropies is to elevate and accelerate cities' use
of data and evidence to engage citizens, make government more effective, and improve people's lives. What
Works Cities will partner with mayors and other city chief executives who are committed to this approach and
provide assistance targeted to local needs.
I
*Guidelines, Toolkits or Manuals for Collaborations with Community Groups and University Based
Researchers
The Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CES4Health) is offering access to several resources for
community groups who want to initiate collaboration on CBR/CBPR research university based (UB) researchers or
similar guides for university based researchers wanting to collaborate with community groups. Each of the
following is a resource that can be downloaded:
Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR): A Partnership Approach for Public Health: A CD course
intended as an introduction to CBPR for people who are in the early stages of using or considering using
CBPR.
Consumer and Community Participation in Health and Medical Research: This contains 22 documents which
guide researchers, consumers and community members on getting consumer and community participation
in health and medical research.
Camp Boot: Community Engaged Research Training Curriculum for Lay Researchers: Camp Boot is
designed to teach community residents the principles of community based participatory research.
Developing and Sustaining Community-Based Participatory Research Partnerships: A Skill-Building
Curriculum: This evidence-based curriculum is designed as a tool for use by community-institutional
partnerships that are using or planning to use a CBPR approach to improving health.
Partners in Research: Curricula to Prepare Community and Faculty for CBPR Partnerships: The curriculum
features two separate but parallel curricula designed to prepare community members and academic faculty
to collaborate on CBPR projects.
Ethical Conduct of Research with Human Participants Training: This training was developed as a
PowerPoint presentation designed for youth audiences, also serves as a simple tutorial highlighting the key
principles of conducting research.
*USDA Announces Funding to Assist with Organic Certification Costs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently announced that
approximately $11.9 million in organic certification assistance is available through state departments of agriculture
to make organic certification more affordable for organic producers and handlers across the country. To receive
cost share assistance, certified organic producers and handlers should contact their appropriate state agencies
via the contact information on the National Organic Program's (NOP) cost share website. Applicants for cost share
assistance through the AMA program are encouraged to apply early, as these funds are only available through
Sept. 30, 2015.
*Two New Economic Development Resources for Small Towns and Cities
EPAs new report provides case studies of seven communities that have successfully reinvigorated their
struggling economies by emphasizing existing assets and distinctive resources. The report, How Small Towns and
Cities Can Use Local Assets to Rebuild Their Economies: Lessons from Successful Places, draws on these case
studies to offer strategies other communities can use. Through the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance
Program, EPA also worked directly with Kelso, Washington, to explore how these strategies could address the
citys economic challenges. The resulting report, Using Smart Growth Strategies to Foster Economic
Development: A Kelso, Washington, Case Study, provides a tool for communities looking to create their own
smart growth economic development strategy that emphasizes existing assets.
*EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative Announces 2015 Extreme Events Workshops and Coastal
Resilience Training Series
EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) Initiative is offering workshops for drinking water, wastewater, and
stormwater utilities that focus on understanding and adapting to challenges from extreme events, featuring
training on the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT).
- June 3-4: Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico
- June 23-24: Portland, Oregon
- July 14-15: Des Moines, Iowa
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- July 14-15: Des Moines, Iowa

*Coastal Resilience for the Water Sector: Training for Technical Assistance Providers
The Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative is also offering a series of trainings for water sector technical
assistance providers. The trainings will focus on how to support utilities in understanding and adapting to impacts
from coastal storm events and related threats using two new EPA tools: the Climate Resilience Evaluation and
Awareness Tools (CREAT) Version 3.0 and the Storm Surge Inundation and Hurricane Strike Frequency Map.
- June 16-17: Boca Raton, Florida
- June 22-23: Houston, Texas
- June 25-26: Mobile, Alabama
- July 21-22: West Babylon, New York
*U.S. EPA Environmental Justice Blog: Enhancing the Implementation of Human Rights - the Key Role of
NGOs
Check out our latest blog post, Enhancing the Implementation of Human Rights - the Key Role of NGOs, by Brielle
Green. Brielle talks about her experiences and lessons learned as part of a non-governmental organization
delegation trying to incorporate environmental justice principals into the United Nations during its Universal
Periodic Review (UPR). In the last post, Charles Lee talked about four upcoming webinars on two key
developments at EPA, EJSCREEN and the EJ 2020 Action Agenda.

*EPA Identifies Misbranded Pesticide at Kansas City, Kan., Pesticide Distributor

Auto-Chlor System, LLC, a pesticide registrant and distributor headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., has agreed to
pay a $6,750 civil penalty to the United States to settle allegations related to the sale and distribution of a
misbranded pesticide. The violation occurred at a dealer facility located at 310 Kansas Ave. in Kansas City, Kan.
*How Much West Des Moines Could Save with Smart Growth Strategies
Smart Growth America is proud to release a new analysis of development in West Des Moines, IA. We examined
four different strategies for growth in West Des Moines over the next 20 years, each with different densities and a
different mix of housing types. The model calculates the public costs, revenues, and net fiscal impact of each. For
West Des Moines, a more walkable, urban approach to growth would generate an estimated annual net fiscal
impact of $11.2 million$3.7 million more than low density development.
*Avoid Bikelash By Building More Bike Lanes
A recent study shows that when bicycle use rises but cities don't add bike lanes to put the new bikers in, traffic
congestion actually gets worse.
*Energy Department Invests $6 Million to Increase Energy Efficiency of Schools, Offices, Stores and other
U.S. Buildings
As part of the Administrations effort to cut energy waste in the nations buildings and double energy productivity
by 2030, the Energy Department today announced nearly $6 million to accelerate energy efficiency in offices,
shops, schools and other buildings that will help businesses and communities save money, create jobs, and
reduce pollution.
*How the Microtransit Movement Is Changing Urban Mobility
CityLab took a closer look at the good and the bad of a microtransit future, and how cities can hope to contain it.

*Seattle's Emerging EcoDistrict

EcoDistricts offer a framework through which communities can discuss, prioritize, and enact initiatives that
address climate change and social equity. Since 2011, Seattle's Capitol Hill EcoDistrict has sought to improve
sustainability and equity.
*Six New Cities Awarded Heart of the Community Placemaking Grants
Non-profit organizations in six U.S. cities will receive placemaking grants to help them reimagine and reactivate
important but underutilized public spaces in their city through the Heart of the Community Program, a partnership
of the Project for Public Spaces and Southwest Airlines.
*EPA News You Can Use GO GREEN May 2015
Flip Your Fridge
If all of the refrigerators in the U.S. 15 years or older are replaced with new Energy Star certified models, we
could save more than a billion dollars in annual energy costs.
Check Your Drinking Water
This dashboard contains interactive charts and graphs about the compliance of public water systems with
federal drinking water regulations, as well as enforcement actions.
"Small" Businesses
More than half of all Americans work in a small business. We're proud to help small businesses go green
with tools and other resources for their businesses.
Bee Safe with Pesticides
It's springtime and if you use pesticides where bees are present, always READ THE LABEL. Be sure you
know how to use pesticides safely and correctly, or consider other alternatives.

*U.S. Global Change Research Program Seeks Public Comment on Draft Climate and Health Assessment
Report Due June 8
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is seeking public comments to its draft report, "The
Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment." The draft report
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Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment." The draft report
assesses the observed and projected impacts of climate change on human health in the United States, with a
particular focus on where impacts can be quantified.

*USDA Releases Fact Sheet on Framework for Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture & Forestry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing a comprehensive and detailed approach to support
farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners in their response to climate change. The framework consists of 10
building blocks that span a range of technologies and practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase
carbon storage, and generate clean renewable energy.

*Comment on EPAs Environmental Justice Agenda Due June 15

EPA is asking for public comments on the draft Environmental Justice, or "EJ," 2020 Action Agenda, EPA's next
overarching strategic plan for environmental justice. During the public comment period, EPA will conduct
informational and dialogue sessions with partners and stakeholder groups.
*EPA Inspections Reveal Hazardous Waste Violations at GKN Armstrong Wheels in Estherville and
Armstrong, Iowa
EPA Region 7 compliance evaluation inspections at two GKN Armstrong Wheels, Inc., facilities in Iowa recently
revealed violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) related to the storage and handling
of hazardous waste at each facility. In a settlement filed recently in Lenexa, Kan., the company agreed to pay a
$150,031 civil penalty to the United States.
*White House Generation Indigenous Portal Now Live
The White House launched this new website recently to serve as a one-stop shop for Native American youth
interested in the various Gen I components, including job opportunities, federal contacts and resources, and
upcoming events and how they can get involved.
*City of Granby, Mo., Agrees to Three-Year Deadline to Settle Clean Water Act Violations at Wastewater
Treatment Facility
The city of Granby, Mo., has agreed to an administrative civil settlement with EPA that requires the city to take a
series of actions by July 2018 to correct a series of violations related to the operation of its wastewater treatment
facility.
*Integrated Green Stormwater Infrastructure Guide
U.S. EPA Region 3 recently released a publication titled, Community Based Public-Private Partnerships (CBP3)
and Alternative Market-Based Tools for Integrated Green Stormwater Infrastructure: A Guide for Local
Governments. This guide comes out of a multi-year effort by EPA Region 3 and their partners to identify tools to
help Mid-Atlantic communities to address their water quality challenges through faster, cheaper, and greener
methods.

*NREL Highlights 2014 Utility Green Power Leaders - Portland General Electric Remains at Top
The Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released its assessment of leading
utility green power programs. Using information provided by utilities, NREL developed "Top 10" rankings of utility
green power programs for 2014 in these categories: total sales of renewable energy to program participants,
number of customer participants, percentage of customer participation, and green power sales as a percentage of
total utility retail electricity sales.
*When Cities and Suburbs Work Together
Jurisdictions in some regions are working together. Instead of just offering up the best or highest tax breaks, these
local governments, planning officials, private-sector business people, and real-estate developers are trying to
think through what makes each region unique and authentic. Then, they build up the local economy around those
attributes.
*Protecting Farmland is a Priority
U.S. farmland protection is important, even beyond the observation that food for 300 million Americans has to
come from somewhere. The dilemma for American farmers, and one of the driving forces behind the consolidation
of farms over the past 50 years, is that the land needed for crops or livestock can become too valuable for the
farm, as a business, to retain.
*Opportunity for Public Review and Comment on EPA Draft Post-Closure Care Guidance Comments Due
June 30
EPA is inviting public comment on the draft Guidelines for Evaluating and Adjusting the Post-Closure Care Period
for Hazardous Waste Disposal Facilities under Subtitle C of RCRA, also known as the "Post-Closure Care
Guidance." EPA specifically requests comments from permit writers, trade associations, environmental groups,
and operating treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDF).
*2016 New Partners Conference Call for Session Proposals Due June 30
The Local Government Commission will be conducting a formal Call for Session Proposals (CFSP) for the 2016
New Partners for Smart Growth Conference program. An electronic submittal form will be posted on the
conference web site, along with detailed instructions.
*Call for Nominations: Nsedu Obot Witherspoon (NOW) Youth Leadership Award Due June 30
The Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN) is excited to announce a call for nominations from nonfamily members for this award that honors youth for their exceptional environmental leadership, commitment to

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family members for this award that honors youth for their exceptional environmental leadership, commitment to
environmental health, participation in community action, and other leadership skills. Youth ages 12-18 in middle
and high school are eligible for this special honor.

*100% of Apple's U.S. Operations are Powered by Renewable Energy

In Apple's 2015 Environmental Responsibility Report, the company announced that as of 2014, all of its U.S. data
centers and corporate offices and facilities are powered by renewable energy. Since 2011, Apple has reduced its
carbon footprint by 48 percent while its overall energy consumption has significantly increased. Apple aims to
make its global operations rely 100 percent on renewable energy sources.
*The Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Transformation of Public Spaces
"Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper" (LQC) describes the simple, short-term, low-cost solutions that are having remarkable
impacts on the shaping of neighborhoods and cities. This resource page will provide people with ideas and tools
for turning public spaces into quality shared places.
*NACo and NADO Unveil New Online Resource Portal for Transitioning Economies
The National Association of Counties (NACo) and National Association of Development Organizations (NADO),
with support from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), recently unveiled a new website stocked with
tools, reports, case studies and other resources designed to support places looking for assistance on retooling
their economies. The "Resources for Transitioning Economies" website collects information from public, private
and nonprofit organizations.
*NOAA Study Finds Marshes, Reefs, Beaches Can Enhance Coastal Resilience

This study highlights strengths and weaknesses of the coastal protection benefits provided by built infrastructure,
natural ecosystems, and the innovative opportunities to combine the two into hybrid approaches for coastal
protection. This information is critical to facilitate adoption of these approaches in planning and decision-making at
all levels to enhance the resilience of our coasts.
Announcing EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study
Due May 26
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is
offering Graduate Fellowships for masters and doctoral level students in environmental fields of study. The
Fellowship Program provides up to $44,000 per year of support per fellowship.
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Makes $76 Million in Grant Funding Available through YouthBuild
Program Due June 5
Grants will be awarded through a competitive process to organizations that will oversee the education, skills
training and employment services offered to youth through this program.
Urban Land Institute's Resilience Grant Opportunity Due June 5
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Center for Urban Resilience are offering a grant opportunity to ULI District
Councils for projects that address resilience and are related to impacts from climate change, such as drought,
sea-level rise, storm surge, etc.
Public Comment Period Open for Draft Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United
States Report Comments Due June 8
Public comments are now being solicited for the draft version of The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health
in the United States: A Scientific Assessment.

EPA Seeks Public Comments on Draft EJ 2020 Action Agenda Framework Due June 15
The U.S. EPA is asking for public comment on the draft EJ 2020 Action Agenda (EJ 2020) framework, the EPA's
next overarching strategic plan for environmental justice. EJ 2020 is a strategy to advance environmental justice
through EPA's programs, policies and activities, and will support the cross-agency strategy on making a visible
difference in environmentally overburdened, underserved, and economically-distressed communities.
CDC Community Health Projects Related to Contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites Due June 22
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry announced
recently a funding opportunity to help address community health concerns and issues associated with restoration
of contaminated properties.
Apply for a Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Orchard in Your Community Ongoing
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) strategically donates orchards where the harvest will best serve
communities for generations, including at community gardens, public schools, city and state parks, low-income
neighborhoods, and Native American reservations.
Project Learning Trees GreenWorks Grant Due September 30
Project Learning Tree is accepting applications for a school/community native plant garden, a forest improvement
project, a streamside restoration plan, a recycling program, or energy conservation project targeting students.

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.
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EPA is not responsible for third party links. EPA does not endorse third party organizations or agencies.

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