Landscapes2 Related References
Chesapeake Bay settlement has EPA agreeing to enforce pollution reduction goals. The Environmental Protection Agency will be legally bound to clean the soiled waters of the Chesapeake Bay after reaching an agreement to enforce tough new standards for pollution reduction. The settlement reached to end a lawsuit brought by bay advocates has potentially far-reaching consequences for the bay's watershed, a huge sweep of territory from Upstate New York to the Shenandoah Valley. The pollution reductions could affect how lawns and farm fields are fertilized; how livestock is managed; what sewage treatment costs taxpayers; where housing developments, office complexes and shopping centers can be built; and other aspects of life with the potential to taint the water that flows into the 200-mile-long bay.
PACOMMUTES: The PA Department of Transportation recently launched a website to help residents explore the many transportation options available across the state.
H+T Affordability Index. The Housing +Transportation Affordability Index is an innovative tool that measures the true affordability of housing based on its location.
Consumer Consequences, find out if you're living a sustainable life. This interactive game is designed to illustrate the impact of your lifestyle on the Earth and allows you to compare your lifestyle with others and modify and reduce your footprint.
The Ecological Footprint is a complex sustainability indicator that answers a simple question: How much of the Earth’s resources does your lifestyle require? According to Redefining Progress’ latest Footprint Analysis, humanity is exceeding its ecological limits by 39%. To measure your own impact on the Earth, take one of the following quizzes:
What is sustainability? What is the EPA doing, and how can I help? The 1970 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) formally established, as a national goal, the creation and maintenance of conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.
About Smart Growth? Communities across the country are using creative strategies to develop in ways that preserve natural lands and critical environmental areas, protect water and air quality, and reuse already-developed land.
Upcoming Events
Maysie's FarmFest 2010
The Conservation Concert: Local Food, local music, children's activities and fun for the whole family.
May 22, 2010, 12 noon - 10pm Ludwig's Corner, Chester County, PA. Maysie's Farm Conservation Center is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the importance of conservation and ecological thinking.
Have any smart growth projects on the horizon? Submit an application for either preliminary or final recognition by the Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance. To be eligible, the project must be located in Eastern or Central Pennsylvania (including Dauphin County), Southern New Jersey (including Mercer County and south) or Delaware, and not yet under construction.
The application deadline for this round is June 1. All applications are confidential.
Master Planner Program: Community Planning June 1, 8, and 20. This course targets the responsibilities of municipal officials and members of planning commissions. To register for Master Planner Courses, students can call 610-925-0900; register online or email chestercounty2020@ccis.net.
The Chester County Planning Commission, Montgomery County Planning Commission, and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) will be presenting the US 422 Corridor Master Plan to municipalities along the Schuylkill River. The presentations will give elected officials and members of the public an opportunity to learn more about the plan, ask questions, and provide feedback before the plan is finalized. Please visit CCPC's Events and Meetings for meeting dates, times, and locations.
Through the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program, the National Park Service provides staff who can guide communities in conserving waterways, preserving open space, and developing trails and greenways. Protect your local rivers, save an unspoiled landscape, or build trails to help everyone in your community enjoy nature? Applications for the next round of technical assistance can be submitted until August 1.
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