H I G H L I G H T S
* Report: Rural Smart Growth
* Appropriations: VA-HUD, Agriculture, and
Transportation
* Appropriations: Lead Poisoning
* Report: Brownfield
Redevelopment
REPORT: RURAL SMART GROWTH
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On Monday, July
29, the Northeast-Midwest Institute will release a new report, Smart
Growth at the Frontier: Strategies and Resources for Rural
Communities. The report illustrates promising rural growth
strategies that revitalize small towns; link natural resource protection with
resort and residential development; maintain farm and forest land; and
coordinate regional development. Printed copies of this report may be purchased
by calling 202/544-5200.
Contact: Barbara
Wells at the Northeast-Midwest Institute (202/544-5200).
APPROPRIATIONS: VA-HUD, AGRICULTURE, AND
TRANSPORTATION
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The
Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday, July 25, marked up the VA-HUD and
Independent Agencies, Agriculture, and Transportation appropriations bills for
fiscal 2003.
The VA-HUD bill provided $25 million for the Department of Housing and Urban
Development's Brownfields Economic Development Initiative and $200 million for
the Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Redevelopment Initiative.
Appropriators provided $1.45 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
(SRF) (a $100 million increase above the FY02 level); $875 million for the
Drinking Water SRF (an increase of $25 million above the FY02 level); $238.5
million for Non-Point Source Pollution Grants; and $192.5 million for Water
Quality Grants.
The Transportation Appropriations bill provided $1.2 billion for Amtrak --
$550 million for Amtrak's operating expenses and $650 million for capital
expenses. The $650 million includes $369 million for capital expenses for the
Northeast Corridor.
The Agriculture Appropriations bill provided $700 million for the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program; the Wetlands Reserve Program is
authorized to enroll 250,000 acres at a cost of about $700 million; the Farmland
Protection Program received $100 million; the Conservation Reserve Program
received $53 million; the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program received $30
million; the Watershed Rehabilitation Program received $30 million; and the
Conservation Security Program received $3 million.
Contact: Kris Sarri at the Northeast-Midwest Senate
Coalition (202/224-0606).
APPROPRIATIONS: LEAD POISONING
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The
Senate Appropriations Committee approved $75 million for a targeted
demonstration project to fight lead poisoning in cities with the highest rates
of lead poisoning in children. The Urban Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration
Program -- funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's
Office of Lead Hazard Control -- will provide grants to 25 targeted cities with
disproportionately high percentages of children under age six having dangerous
levels of lead in their blood, and a demonstrated commitment to fighting the
problem.
Contact: Kris Sarri at the Northeast-Midwest Senate
Coalition (202/224-0606).
REPORT: BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT
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The
federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund can be a potentially significant source
of funding for cleaning up brownfields and underground storage tanks (USTs)
where water quality may be threatened, according to a new Northeast-Midwest
Institute report. Using the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for Brownfields and
USTfields details how states can use the Fund for
assessing and remediating these sites. It also provides a primer on the Fund,
its programs, and features examples of how Maryland, New Mexico, New York, and
Ohio have begun using the Fund for brownfield and underground storage tank
projects. Printed copies of the report may be purchased by calling
202/544-5200.
Contact: Barbara
Wells at the Northeast-Midwest Institute
(202/544-5200).