H I G H L I G H T S
* Legislation: Invasive Species
* Appropriations: Brownfields
*
Report: Rural Smart Growth
* Report: Brownfield Redevelopment
LEGISLATION: INVASIVE SPECIES
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Senator
Carl Levin (D-MI) and Reps. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MD) have
released drafts of two sweeping bills they plan to introduce to slow the
onslaught of aquatic organisms invading United States waterways. These
organisms, referred to as invasive species, cause enormous damage to our economy
and environment. Invasive species have received a great deal of attention from
Americans in the past few weeks, thanks to the now-legged snakehead fish
discovered in Maryland waterways and the giant Asian carp moving up the
Mississippi River. The bills announced this week represent a bipartisan and
bicameral effort to address comprehensively the threat from the snakehead fish
and other aquatic invasive species.
APPROPRIATIONS: BROWNFIELDS
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The Senate
VA-HUD appropriations bill includes language giving the Secretary of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) greater flexibility on
providing brownfields economic development (BEDI) grants to communities. The
language no longer requires that BEDI grants be tied to Section 108 economic
development loan guarantees. Making BEDI grants independent of the Section 108
program is a priority of the Northeast-Midwest Senate and House Coalitions since
the move would make the BEDI program accessible to more communities. Senators
Carl Levin (D-MI) and James Jeffords (I-VT) sponsored S. 1079, a bill that would
have created BEDI as an independent grant program.
REPORT: RURAL SMART GROWTH
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The
Northeast-Midwest Institute has released, Smart
Growth at the Frontier: Strategies and Resources for Rural
Communities. The new 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.
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.