GLIN==> Northeast-Midwest Weekly Update -- 16 May 2005

["Dick Munson" <dickmunson@nemw.org>]

Weekly Update – 16 May 2005   HIGHLIGHTS ·         Base Closings – Northeast-Midwest Takes Disproportionate Hit ·         Community Development Block Grants – Letter ·         Aquatic Invasive Species – Letter ·         Great Lakes Newsletters ·         Northeast-Midwest Economic Review   Base Closings – Northeast-Midwest Takes Disproportionate Hit   The Northeast-Midwest region accounts for the smallest share of the nation’s military and civilian Defense Department personnel, but the region would once again bear a disproportionate share of the personnel cutbacks if the government adopts recommendations released May 13, 2005, by the secretary of defense.  The 18 Northeast-Midwest states, which account for 11 percent of all U.S.-based active duty forces and 24 percent of all U.S.-based Defense Department personnel, would sustain about 40 percent of the drop in personnel recommended under the plan.  A copy of the Institute’s analysis will be sent to Coalition members and Institute supporters.  Community Development Block Grants -- Letter   Reps. James Oberstar (D-MN) and Rob Simmons (R-CT) are circulating a letter asking appropriators to provide level funding – $4.732 billion – for the Community Development Block Grant program and adequate funding for other HUD programs in fiscal year 2006.  The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) community development and housing programs build home ownership, support neighborhood revitalization and increase access to affordable housing.  The signature deadline is May 19.  Contact: Lisa Mark with the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition (202/226-5181).  Aquatic Invasive Species – Letter   Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are circulating letters to four appropriations subcommittees in support of programs to address the problem of aquatic invasive species.  Invasive species harm ecosystems, disrupt food chains, crowd out native organisms, and threaten human health. Many agencies' expertise are required to contain and control exotic species infestations effectively:  the Coast Guard implements the ballast management program; the Fish and Wildlife Service protects inland waters; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration manages the interface with resource-based industry; and the Corps of Engineers investigates engineering tools for species control. The deadline for signing onto this letter is May 20. Contact: Joy Mulinex with the Great Lakes Task Force (202/224-1211). Great Lakes Newsletters   The May issue of the Great Lakes Congressional Report – with articles on invasive species, restoration, WRDA, oil and gas drilling moratorium, and monitoring – is available at http://www.nemw.org/GLCRMay05.pdf.   The latest quarterly newsletter from the Great Lakes Cities Initiative is available at http://www.nemw.org/glci/GLCI0505.pdf Northeast-Midwest Economic Review   The Spring issue of the Northeast-Midwest Economic Review is available at http://www.nemw.org/ER%20Spg05.pdf.  Articles include: Large-Scale Ecosystem Restoration and the Federal Policy Process -- by Karen Vigmostad, Nicole Mays, Allen Hance, and Allegra Cangelosi Energy Market Data -- 70% Reliability Is Not Good Enough -- by Diane DeVaul State Brownfield Financing Tools and Strategies -- by Charles Bartsch and Barbara Wells Water Use by Electric Utilities -- by Dick Munson Sell -- Rather Than Subsidize -- Electricity -- by Dick Munson The Nation's Unguarded Region -- by Reps. Steven LaTourette and Marty Meehan   Calendar | Media Links | Reports/Periodicals   Northeast-Midwest Institute 218 D St, SE Washington DC 20003 Ph. 202 544 5200          Email dickmunson@nemw.org with comments or to unsubscribe from this mailing list.