Environmental Finance Center Network Tenth Annual Report 2004 University of Southern Maine II Region 5 Syracuse University II Region 6 University of Maryland II Region 9 University of Louisville II Region 10 University of North Carolina I Cleveland State University New Mexico Tech California State University Boise State University ------- 2004 EFC ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword Acknowledgments EFC Network Overview Executive Summary University of Southern Maine EFC (Region 1) Syracuse University EFC (Region 2) University of Maryland EFC (Region 3) University of North Carolina (Region 4) University of Louisville (Region 4) Cleveland State University EFC (Region 5) University of New Mexico EFC (Region 6) California State University EFC (Region 9) Boise State University EFC (Region 10) EFC Network Directory Environmental Finance Program Website 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ------- FOREWORD * EFGN It is our great pleasure to present the 2004 Annual Report of EPA' s Environmental Finance Center Network. The Network consists of university-based Centers which provide finance training, education, and analytical services designed around the "how to pay" issues of environmental compliance. Since the creation of the first center thirteen years ago, the EFCs have expanded into a Network that comprises nine centers strategically located at major universities in eight Federal Regions: University of Southern Maine (Region 1) Syracuse University (Region 2) University of Maryland (Region 3) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Region 4) University of Louisville (Region 4) Cleveland State University (Region 5) New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (Region 6) California State University at Hay ward (Region 9) Boise State University (Region 10) The EFC Network has become a significant force in assisting local governments and small businesses in meeting environmental standards. A central goal of the Network is to help create sustainable environmental systems in the public and private sectors. Sustainable systems have the financial, technical, and institutional resources and capability to operate indefinitely in compliance with environmental requirements and in conformance with generally accepted environmental practices. Paying for environmental protection is an important component of sustainability and continues to be primarily a responsibility of local governments and the private sector. For their part, the financial outreach services of the EFCs help meet environmental needs by identifying ways of cutting costs, lowering and shifting costs, and increasing private sector investment in environmental systems. The reader will find in the following pages many innovative and traditional activities the EFCs have undertaken in accomplishing these objectives. Their work, however, is an ongoing process, and the sum total of the Network's benefits make an important contribution to environmental progress in this country. Information about the Environmental Finance Center Network, along with previous years' Annual Reports, can also be found on our website on EPA's Environmental Finance Program homepage at http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/ or http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Joseph L. Dillon, Director Office of Enterprise Technology and Innovation U. S. Environmental Protection Agency ------- environmental finance center network A UNIQUE ASSET FOR THE NATION The Environmental Finance Center Network is the only university-based organization that creates innovative solutions to help manage the cost of environmental protection. The Network works with both the public and private sectors to promote a sustainable environment, supporting efforts to address difficult "how-to-pay" issues. Core support for the Network is provided by EPA's Environmental Finance Program in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The Network is comprised of nine Environmental Finance Centers, all of which attract additional funds through grants and contracts with other public and private clients. The Centers, each affiliated with an EPA Region, are located at the following universities: The Network Is Innovative Neutral Multi- Disciplinary Local, Regional & National The Network shares and integrates information, tools and techniques across the country to develop innovative solutions to difficult problems. The Network is housed within nine Universities and is not governed by any one public or private agency or organization and so is neutral by its very nature. The Network routinely employs staff from multiple disciplines including engineering, business, finance, planning, economic development, science, public administration, and law. For any project, the Network can access the expertise housed within the nine universities. The Network has a proven track record of working at all project levels from local to national. EFC Network Locations University of Southern Maine Syracuse University University of Maryland Cleveland State University University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Louisville New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology California State University at Hayward Boise State University The Network Offers Financial Expertise Technical Transfer Multi-Media Capabilities Partnerships w/the Regulated & Regulators National Presence In solving environmental problems or addressing environmental issues, the Network brings a unique financial perspective. The Network has worked in forty-eight states and shares information and technical expertise among the states and within the Network to allow a national transfer of information. The Network addresses a full range of environmental issues, including: hazardous waste, air, water, wastewater, solid waste, brownfields, environmental technologies and pollution prevention. The Network works with both the regulated community and regulators to promote efficient and effective environmental compliance. The Network routinely partners with other public and private entities to complete projects throughout the US and beyond. ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER NETWORK TOOLS The Network provides education, technical assistance and analyses to state and local governments and the private sector through various tools, including the following. * Finance Planning Strategies and Programs Local & Regional Economic Development Stakeholder Meetings ------- ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER NETWORK Role-plays and Simulations Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis Utility Accounting and Financial Reporting Informal Surveys Financial Policy and Practice Guides Information Clearinghouse Strategic Information Systems Conferences & Workshops Charrettes Process Facilitation Program Evaluation Research Publications and Reports, and Hand-On Assistance We have adopted these tools to help us navigate the numerous environmental media in which we work. Some tools apply across a broad spectrum of issues while others are limited to specific media. Finance Planning Strategies and Programs include the provision of financial expertise in areas such as capital financing, operating cost management, loan programs, environmental risk management and strategies and approaches for the public and private sectors. Local Economic Development support involves numerous areas including eco-industrial parks, recycling, open space preservation, brownfields, greenfields, and green business and environmental industry support and promotion. Stakeholder Meetings and Charrettes are implemented in various situations where input from a variety of stakeholders and participants is necessary to resolve an environmental finance problem. Role-plays and Simulations have been used in brownfields assistance where stakeholders learn what motivates and interests the other stakeholders with whom they need to negotiate, based on real circumstances. Economic and Fiscal Impact Analyses are frequently performed for various projects including brownfields reclamation, rural land conversions and other forms of development. Utility Finance models and financial management programs and software have been developed for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. These include: utility accounting and financial reporting, water conservation cost-benefit analysis, gap financing analysis, and water and wastewater system budgeting. Informal Surveys are frequently used for a range of projects from determining small business incentives for green manufacturing, to assessing local needs for redevelopment. Policy and Practice Guides have been developed to assist in shaping local land use and environmental policies and helping consumers choose and locate green businesses. Information Clearinghouse services are provided by all Centers. The Network serves as a national repository and clearinghouse for environmental finance-related information, including information from the USEPA, the national Environmental Financial Advisory Board, and the national Environmental Financing Information Network. Strategic Information Systems have been designed to improve financial and management capabilities of water systems. Conferences & Workshops are offered by the Network throughout the United States on a range of topics from water and wastewater, to brownfields redevelopment and environmental technology transfer. Process Facilitation is a broad tool designed to help take a project from concept to reality. Part of that facilitation may include Internal Partnering Meetings that promote inter- agency cooperation. Program Evaluation services help to assess the outcomes of new environmental finance, economic development, and land use programs for local and state governments. Finally the Network offers a wide range of research publications and reports, and hands-on assistance to national, state, and local agencies as well as tribes and private sector organizations and businesses. SELECTED PROJECTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES Since 1992, the Network has been working to promote sustainable development throughout the United States. The following is a selection of projects that best represents our talents. Brownfields Remediation and Redevelopment. Network members have been involved in developing, operating and evaluating the impacts of state and local brownfield redevelopment efforts. Key features of state voluntary cleanup programs have been identified and their impacts on developer decision making examined. The private market risk transfer measures available through insurance and their impact on brownfield project valuations have been documented and technical assistance to public sector utilization of insurance continues to be provided. Network members have also been involved in training programs for potential brownfield redevelopers and financiers on how the markets and regulatory standards have been evolving. Full Cost Pricing of Water and Sewer Services. Small communities struggle with the challenge of providing safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment services to EFCN A UNIQUE ASSET FOR THE NATION EFCN ------- ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER NETWORK the public. Communities throughout the country have benefited from low or no-cost assistance from the EFCs in the areas of rate setting, capital replacement financing, financial management and assessing the impact of capital investments. Multi-State Grants and Loans Database. Several Environmental Finance Centers compile and maintain funding resource databases. An environmental funding database currently exists that covers six southeaster states: North Carolina South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. This database is available to local governments and citizens to help them identify low cost financing approaches for environmental projects. Similar tools for watershed financing are available in the Region 10 states of Idaho, Washington and Oregon and are under development in Region 1, as steps toward creation of a national database. Environmental Finance Curriculum Development. A set of course materials on environmental finance, intended to bridge the gap between existing academic courses on public finance and existing training programs for government officials has been developed. The course is available for delivery throughout the Network and is presented as a series of modules that can work together for an extended course of study, or separately for focus on individual topics. A distance education course on environmental finance based on some of the materials and topics covered in the course material has also been prepared. Business Planning Assistance to Environmental Non- profit Organizations. A business plan has been prepared to help guide non-profit environmental organization. The plan includes an analysis of existing services and pricing structures and makes recommendations on how an organization can implement improved business practices and become financially stable while achieving environmental and community service objectives. Environmental Finance Policy Guides. Guides are being developed throughout the Network to be used by state local government officials, their associations, and organizations providing training to officials and community board members. Topics, readable by people with high school educations, include the issues of land value 'takings' by regulation, resources valuation issues in water and wastewater system mergers/acquisitions, the value of alternative brownfield subsidies, uses of environmental insurance, the economics of construction and demotion debris reuse,and the economic and environmental features of different policy responses to urban expansion pressures. Unified Source Water Protection. As part of an EPA pilot initiative, five EFCs are working with groups of water systems in 8 states to develop unified source water protection plans. Unified source water protection plans incorporate the needs of many water systems that share a water source or potential contamination threats. The single or unified plan approach: reduces duplication of effort, allows for a more expansive look at water resources, increases opportunities for particular protection measures to be used, and permits side benefits by bringing water system managers and operators together on an ongoing frequent basis Funding and Needs Analyses. The Network frequently assesses performance of individual programs for funding environmental improvements or infrastructure development. A current study is underway to assess the water and sewer infrastructure needs in the Appalachian region of the United States and to examine whether existing funding programs and community practices will be sufficient to protect public health and the environment in the future. In addition, focus groups and informant interviews of program representatives and program beneficiaries or recipients have been conducted, and strategies recommended for cooperative funding to maximize opportunities for beneficiaries to obtain financing in the most cost-effective and politically palatable manner. Brominated Flame Retardants in Electronics. In response to growing national interest, a Finance Center program, including a roundtable and conference, has been planned to facilitate dialogue between electronics manufacturers, plastics experts, and community and government stakeholders to explore alternatives to toxic flame retardant use in consumer electronics. The program is focused on designing electronics that are both fire resistant and protect human health and the environment while ensuring product performance. Environmental Insurance for Brownfields. Center studies of environmental insurance products and their utility for brownfield redevelopment have provided data for provision of technical assistance to state and local brownfield programs. Continuing legal education seminars and other training for brownfields stakeholders has also been provided. Current efforts include work on designing model insurance programs for state-led redevelopment programs, UST cleanup funding, and an update on the environmental insurance market. Financing Watershed Strategies. Training workshops have been developed which promote the coordination of funding and technical assistance programs with innovative financing techniques to support watershed management. Participants explore innovative solutions to multi-jurisdictional and multi- disciplinary issues encountered within a watershed. Network trainings have been held in EPA Regions 5, 8, and 10. Due to the popularity of the workshops, twenty were held in Region 10 in 2002-2003. Green Business Program Facilitation. As part of the effort to promote Green Business throughout the United States, an EFC program has been established to help facilitate the creation of Green Business Programs and Recognition Projects. In addition to hands-on assistance, a website is being developed to compile information on planning, implementing, maintaining and growing a Green Business Recognition Program. EFCN A UNIQUE ASSET FOR THE NATION EFCN ------- ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER NETWORK Public Management and Finance Program. A unique technical assistance and training program has been developed in which EFCs collaborate with nonprofit, private, and government entities in the delivery of environmental services to primarily rural communities. The PMFP provides a forum that links technical assistance providers and local governments to enable holistic approaches to rural community problems. Smart Growth Planning. Network Smart Growth projects include efforts to help an agricultural community preserve its rural heritage. Land protection financing initiatives have been explored through charrettes and comprehensive planning. Geographic Information System tools are being used to identify causes of urban spread and economically efficient public responses. EnviroLoan & Strategic Goals Program. Projects for the National Strategic Goals Program included developing the Access to Capital EnviroLoan Program - a pollution prevention (P2)loan program for metal finishers. Other work focused on marketing the Goals Program statewide seeking legislation to implement a California Strategic Goals Program. Million Acres Initiative - Open Space Preservation. In a state effort that may be replicable, support is being provided to the North Carolina legislature's Million Acres Initiative to conserve land for open space, farmland preservation, riparian buffers and other conservation purposes. Surveys and interviews were used to assess the amount of land already protected, the rate at which land would be protected over the next ten years at current funding levels, the size of the revenue gap needed to complete the million acre goal, and the funding alternatives potentially available. Sustainable Infrastructure Development. This project will define a vision for a Great Lakes regional approach to prioritizing capital investments which sustain the regional system of infrastructure. Multi-State Assistance to State Regulatory Departments. State Regulatory Departments were assisted in preparing and implementing Capacity Development strategies in ten different states. These strategies are intended to improve water system technical, managerial, and financial capabilities. The assistance ranged from facilitating the stakeholder-input process, to writing up strategies, to assisting with partnering between systems and various options in between. Intergovernmental and Inter-Agency Cooperation. The first ever meeting on public funding or watershed restoration efforts was convened in the state of Idaho. This meeting included representatives of EPA, USFS, BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, USACE, USF&W, Bonneville Power Administration, NRCS, ID Dept of Ag, ID Dept of Fish and Game, ID Dept of Water Resources, ID Dept of Environmental Quality and other private foundations. The purpose of the meeting was to initiate a dialogue on the various funding sources and the match requirements associated with the various programs. Land Trust Assistance. The first Patuxent Land Trust Exchange was conducted in partnership with the Maryland Environmental Trust and the Trust for Public Land. The goal of the Exchange was to develop a more coordinated land protection strategy in the Patuxent River watershed. Ten community conservation organizations attended the Exchange. A number of next steps were identified including developing joint marketing strategies, list serves, and special events. In addition, possibilities for organizational funding and capacity development will be explored. Financing A Cluster Wastewater System. As part of a multi-region effort, a charrette was held in Yarmouth MA, to help locate financing for a "cluster" wastewater treatment system to replace septic systems that had been nitrogen- loading the local estuary and its ecosystem. This charrette helped develop a solution that may also be generalized to fit other similarly dense seasonal communities on Cape Cod and other tourist meccas. Additionally, several resource assessment needs were identified and are currently being addressed by the State of Massachusetts, and several groups have expressed interest in collaborating to create the new community wastewater system, using State revolving loan funds and other public and private funds. WHERE HAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER NETWORK WORKED? Haven't heard of us? If you haven't already, you probably will soon because the Network is continually expanding its range of services and the states it serves. To date, we've worked on at least one project in 48 different states, excepting North and South Dakota. We are looking forward to serving all 50, as well as our territories. CONTACT US Have questions? Please email any one of our members through our websites below. Any Center can help you connect to the EFC that can be the most help on your issue. Maine efc.muskie.usm.maine.edu New York www.maxwell.syr.edu/efc Maryland www.efc.umd.edu Ohio urban.csuohio.edu/glefc/ N Carolina www.efc.unc.edu Kentucky cepm.louisville.edu/org/SEEFC/seefc.htm New Mexico efc.nmt.edu California www.greenstart.org/efc9 Idaho sspa.boisestate.edu/efc/ EFCN A UNIQUE ASSET FOR THE NATION EFCN ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -5- EF@N A great many dedicated people have helped the Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) along the way. We particularly want to acknowledge the EPA Regional management and staff noted in the following listing who have generously provided their skills and time in managing the cooperative agreements with each of the centers. The EFC network would simply not exist without the Regions' superb cooperation and support. Additionally, we appreciate very much the key assistance and support of Headquarters management and staff in the Program Offices. We want to express our appreciation to the leadership of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB), particularly Lyons Gray, Chairman of EFAB, who has had a distinguished career in both business and public service, and Stan Meiburg, the Environmental Financial Advisory Board's Designated Federal Official, and Deputy Regional Administrator for Region 4. We are very pleased that both of these highly respected individuals have brought their considerable knowledge and skills to this Federal Advisory Board and are looking forward to a continuing working relationship with them, given the interactive role of the EFC Directors as expert witnesses to EFAB. Lastly, we want to recognize the staff of the Environmental Finance Program, whose efforts and dedication prove that resources can be leveraged into far-reaching results. Vera Hannigan EFC Network National Coordinator ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS EFGN ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTERS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The EFC Network would like to acknowledge the support and working relationships between the EFCs and the state and local governmental entities they serve. As well, the EFC Network is greatly indebted to EPA, both Headquarters and the Regional offices, for providing ongoing expertise and participation. REGION 1 - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE EFC EFC Prof. Richard Barringer, Director Dr. Sam Merrill, Projects Director Prof. Charles Colgan, Faculty Associate Prof. Jack Kartez, Faculty Associate Prof. Mark Lapping, Faculty Associate Prof. Evan Richert, Faculty Associate Prof. Orlando Delogu, Faculty Associate Jodi Castallo, Project Manager Will Johnston, Project Manager Karen Young, Direcor, Casco Bay Estuary Project Karl Braithwaite, Dean, Muskie School of Public Service Tom Woods, Operations Director, Muskie School of Public Service Sarah Hennessey, Graduate Assistant Andy DesPres, Graduate Assistant Jeff Bussell, Graduate Assistant Rebeccah Schaffner, Graduate Assistant Judy Gopaul, Graduate Assistant Melissa Tilton, Administrative Assistant Sarah Ferriter, Administrative Assistant EPA Region 1 Robert Varney, Regional Administrator Carl Dierker, Office of Regional Counsel Rosemary Monahan, Smart Growth Coordinator Diane Gould, Program Officer, and Casco Bay Estuary Project Coordinator Steve Silva, Maine State Office Director EPA HQ - The Environmental Finance Program Team: Vanessa Bowie, EFAB Coordinator Vera Hannigan, EFC Coordinator ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -5- EF@N REGION 2 - SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY MAXWELL SCHOOL EFC The EFC staff would like to expressly thank Kim Farrellfor her seven years of dedication and service as the co-director of the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center. EFC Professional Staff William Sullivan, Co-Director - Kim Farrell, Co-Director (1997-2004) Catherine Gerard, Interim Co-Director Amy Santos, Assistant Director Kevin Jacob son, Program Manager Mary Ellen Gilbert, Administrative Coordinator Dr. Stuart Bretschneider Dr. Larry Schroeder Dr. Susan Senecah Corey Falter, Research Associate Madoka Kise, Research Associate Matthew Zeller, Research Associate EFC Region 2 - Kathleen Callahan, Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou, Deputy Regional Administrator Stephen Vida, Team Leader, State Revolving Fund Programs - Elizabeth VanRabenswaay, Chief, Construction Grants, SRF Section Other Partners - Patrick Brennan, USDA State Director, New York - Jim Stearns, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation - David Miller, USDA RUS, Syracuse Jeff Smith, Munistat Financial Services, New York Pat Scalera, New York Rural Water Association - Bill Webb, RCAP Solutions - Scott Mueller, RCAP Solutions Rob Campany, Bernier Carr Engineers - Bill Hall, Stearns and Wheler Kevin Smith, Tug Hill Commission, Watertown, New York Phil Smith, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Patricia Cerro-Reehil, New York Water Environment Association ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS EFGN REGION 3 - UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC EFC - Jack Greer, Director (outgoing) - Dan Nees, Director (current) - Michelle O'Herron, Program Manager - Jean Holloway, Training Manager - Michelle Lennox, Project Assistant - Afsheen Siddiq, Project Assistant - Stephanie Novello, Project Assistant - Jennifer Cotting, Project Assistant Maryland Sea Grant Program, University of Maryland - Jonathan G. Kramer, Director - Bonny Marcellino, Assistant Director for Administration - Theresa Lee, Program Management Specialist - Dan Jacobs, Information Technology Manager - Jeanette Connors, Administrative Assistant Institute for Governmental Service, University of Maryland - Robin Parker-Cox, Director - Jeanne Bilanin, Deputy Director - Philip Favero, Extension Specialist - Victor Tervala, Government Consultant - Patti Belcher, Communications - Sheila Senesie, Business Services Specialist - Jacqueline Adams, Administrative Assistant EPA Region 3 - Donald S. Welsh, Regional Administrator - Mindy Lemoine, Grants Project Officer - Donna Armstrong, Grant Administrator, - Ghassan Khaled, Drinking Water Branch Chesapeake Bay Program - Rebecca Hamner, Director - Diana Esher, Deputy Director Robert Rose, staff Lois Gartner, staff - Lori Mackey, staff - Michael Burke, staff Lois Woodward, staff Laura Bodtke, staff ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -5- EF@N Chesapeake Bay Commission - Ann Swanson, Executive Director - Pat Stuntz, Maryland Director National Env. Training Center for Small Communities at W. VA. Univ. (NETCSC) - John Hoornbeck, Director - Sandra Fallen, Training Specialist - Mary Alice Dunn, Training Specialist West Virginia Rural Water Association Starla Snead, Capacity Development Program Coordinator Virginia Rural Water Association - Ken Coffman, Program Specialist Small Public Water Systems Tech. Assist. Center (SPWSTAC) at Penn State-Hanisburg - Charles Cole, Director - Alison Shuler, Training Coordinator - Sue Hippie, Administrative Assistant Northeast Rural Communities Assistance Program - Don Schwartz, Senior Water Resource Specialist Delaware Environmental Training Center - Jerry Williams, Director Maryland Rural Development Corporation - Joyce De Laurentis, Community Development Specialist West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources - J. Scott Rodeheaver, Geologist, Program Manager I Maryland Department of the Environment - Danielle Lucid - Andrew Sawyers, Program Administrator Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Nick Williams - Frank Dawson - Mark Bundy ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS EFGN National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program - Wink Hastings - Emily Clifton - Amy Handon The Wilderness Society - Judy Guse-Noritake - Fran Hunt REGION 4 - UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL EFC EFC Mike Smith, Dean, School and Institute of Government Jeff Hughes, EFC Director Prof. Richard Whisnant, Associate Professor Lynn Weller, Program Manager Mike Luger, Director Office of Economic Development Ben Altz-Stamm, Research Associate Matt Richardson, Research Associate Scott Morrissey, Research Associate Mark Horowitz, Research Associate Stacey Issac, Research Associate Kim Tungate, Research Associate Susan Austin, Director, Community Planning Project Suho Bae, Research Associate JackVogt, Professor EPA Region 4 Stan Meiburg, Deputy Regional Administrator Linda Rimer, Liaison for the Carolinas Cory Berish - Mary Jo Bragan Dale Froneberger EPA Headquarters Tim McProuty Vera Hannigan Vanessa Bowie Alecia Crichlow Jenny Bielanski Chuck Job ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -5- EF@N USD A Rural Utilities Service Jim Maras Dennis Belong Appalachian Regional Commission Greg Bischak State of North Carolina Bill Ross, Secretary, N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources - Bill Holman, Clean Water Trust Fund - Richard Rogers, One NC Naturally Land Conservation Program Jessica Miles, Public Water Supply Section Sid Harrell, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund - Bobby Blowe, Clean Water State Revolving Fund Janice Burke, Local Government Commission John Heron, Local Government Commission staff Liz Wolfe, Division of Community Assistance Jean Crews-Klein, NC Rural Center Small Public Water Systems Technical Assistance Center (SETAC) - Kim Steil REGION 4 - UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC EFC Peter Meyer, EFC Director Lauren Heberle, Assistant Director Russell Barnett, EFC Project Manager Karen Cairns, Project Associate Carol Norton, Project Assistant Susan Opp, Graduate Research Assistant R. Diane Gossett, Administrative Assistant EPA Region 4 Stan Meiburg, Deputy Regional Administrator Cory Berish, Chief, Planning and Analysis Phil Vorsatz, Chief, Brownfields/State Support Mary Jo Bragan, Project Officer ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS EFGN REGION 5 - CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EFC Kevin E. O'Brien, Executive Director - Claudette Robey, Assistant Director Kirstin Toth, Project Manager - Larry Ledebur, Ph.D., GLEFC Fellow - Michael Tevesz, Ph.D., GLEFC Fellow - Wendy Kellogg, Ph.D., GLEFC Fellow Daniel Baracskay, Ph.D., Research Associate Michael McGoun, Research Assistant Vivian Tucker, Administrative Assistant - John Storey, Graduate Assistant Karen Johnston, Graduate Assistant Sarah Hudecek, Graduate Assistant - Matt Sattler, Graduate Assistant U.S. EPA, Regions Lyn Lutner, Region 5 Cleveland Office - Deborah Orr, Region 5 Brownfield Team, Chicago - Joseph Dufficy, Region 5 Brownfield Team, Chicago Brooke Furio, Region 5 Brownfield Team, Chicago and Cleveland Karla Auker, Region 5 Cleveland Office Brownfield Team U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Douglas Shelby, Director, Cleveland Office Paul Diegelman, Community Builder U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Kate Barba, National Estuarine Research Reserve Program Manager State of Ohio - John Magill, Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Development Amy Alduino, Administrator, Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund Tiffani Robinson, Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program Amy Yersavich, Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program - Jeff Reutter, Ohio Sea Grant College Program Yetty Alley, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Linda Feix, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve Ohio Water Development Authority Steve Grossman, Executive Director ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -5- EF@N U.S. EPA Environmental Finance Team Vanessa Bowie, EFC Team Leader Vera Hannigan, EFC National Coordinator - Tim McProuty, EFC Team REGION 6 - NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EFC Heather Himmelberger, P.E., EFC Director Susan Butler, Program Manager Keith Melton, Program Manager Beverly Rizzolo, Tribal Capacity Development Matt Ziegler, Water Resource Specialist Karen Stafford-Brown, Environmental Engineer Shawn Hardeman, Water Resource Specialist Sandi Blanton, Program Manager Cynthia Hernandez, Project Coordinator EPA Region 6 Blake Atkins, Acting Chief, Drinking Water Section, Water Qual. Protection Div. David Reazin, Drinking Water Section William Davis, Drinking Water Section Andrew Waite, Drinking Water Section Thomas Poeton, Drinking Water Section Jose Rodriguez, Drinking Water Section Freda Wash, State/Tribal Programs Section, Water Quality Protection Division Betty Ashley, State/Tribal Programs Section Yulonda Davis, State/Tribal Programs Section Kim Ngo, Drinking Water Section, Water Quality Protection Division Teena Scott, State/Tribal Programs Section Ken Williams, Source Water Protection Section, Water Qual. Protection Division EPA/HQ- Debra Gutenson, Source Water Protection, OGWDW - Roy Simon, Source Water Protection, OGWDW Region 6 State Agencies Arkansas Raymond Thompson, Capacity Development Coordinator, ARDept. of Hlth., LA T. Jay Ray, Manager, DW Revolving Loan Fund, LA Dept. of Health & Hospitals ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS EFGN New Mexico Fernando Martinez, Bureau Chief, Drinking Water Bureau, NM Env. Dept. Retta Prophet, Capacity Dvp. Coord., Drinking Water Bureau, NM Env. Dept. Rob Pine, Drinking Water Bureau, NM Environment Department Ken Hughes, Local Government Divison, NM Dept. of Finance and Adm. Anne Watkins, Office of State Engineer Oklahoma Mike Harrell, P.E., Env. Engineer Spvsr, Water Qual. Div., OK Dept Env. Qual. Brad Cook, Capacity Development Coordinator Texas - Tony Bennett, TCEQ Buck Henderson, TCEQ - Doug Holcomb, P.E., TCEQ - Dorothy Young, TCEQ REGION 9 - CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFC EFC Sam Basu, Interim Dean, CSU East Bay Sarah Diefendorf, EFC Executive Director Susan Blachman, EFC Associate Director Ann Blake, EFC Senior Associate Vicki Vasquez, Programs Coordinator Jim Nicholas, Website Designer EPA Region 9 - Laura Yoshii, Deputy Regional Administrator - Jeff Scott, Solid Waste Division Director Bill Jones, EFC9 Grant Manager, Solid Waste Division Eileen Sheehan, Pollution Prevention Coordinator Leif Magnuson, Pollution Prevention Division John Katz, Pollution Prevention Division Jessica Counts, Pollution Prevention Division Sue McDowell, Solid Waste Division - Patricia Norton, Solid Waste Division - Zac Appleton, Solid Waste Division California EPA Stan Felipe, Department of Toxic Substances Control - Bill Ryan, Department of Toxic Substances Control ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -5- EF@N California State Legislature Maria Armoudian (Senior Staff, Senator Alarcon) California Green Business Program - Ceil Scandone, Green Business Coordinator, Association of Bay Area Govts. Pam Evans, Alameda County Green Business Program Robin Bedell-Waite, Contra Costa County Green Business Program - Marcy Barnett, Sacramento County Green Business Program - Virginia St Jean, San Francisco County Green Business Program Hawaii Gail Suzuki-Jones, State Dept. of Business, Economic Development & Tourism Karl Montoyama, State Department of ealth, Pollution Prevention Coordinator Dennis Hwang, Coordinator, Hawaii Green Business Program Arizona Al Brown, Director, Environmental Services, Maricopa County Bob Evans, Program Manager, Environmental Services, Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County Nevada Kevin Dick, Director, Business Environmental Pgm., University of Nevada, Reno Ed Gonzalez, Director, Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network Industry Marialyce Pedersen, Disney Corporation Richard Firth, Firth and Associates REGION 10 - BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC Boise State University Robert Kustra, President Darryl Jones, Provost (through July 2004) Sona Andrews, Provost (as of August 2004) Mark Dunham, Office of the President Michael Blankenship, Dean College of Social Science & Public Affairs James B. Weatherby, Chair, Department of Public Policy & Administration John Owens, Vice President of Research Lawrence Irvin, Director, Office of Research Administration Kim Chanley, Sponsored Projects Accounting George Murgel, P.E., College of Engineering - Geoff Black, College of Business and Economics Don Holley, College of Business and Economics ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS EFGN Amanda Horton, University Counsel Reba McMillan, Network Admin., College of Social Science & Public Affairs Congressional Linda Culver, Staff Assistant/Field Representative (Twin Falls, ID), Office of Congressman Michael Simpson EPA/Region 10 William Chamberlain, Office of Water Quality, Drinking Water Unit Amber Wong, Office of Ecosystems and Communities Bevin Reid, Office of Ecosystems and Communities Richard Green, Office of Water Quality, Drinking Water Unit - Michelle Tucker, CWSRF Specialist James H. Werntz, Director, Idaho Operations Office Carla Fromm, Idaho Operations Office - Alan Henning, Oregon Operations Office - Teresa Kubo, Oregon Operations Office Greg Kellogg, Alaska Operations Office EPA/Region 7 Robert Dunlevy, Groundwater-Drinking Water Branch, Office of Water Mandy Techau, Office of Water EPA/HQ Vera Hannigan, EFC National Coordinator, Environmental Finance Team Diane Regas, Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds Tim Jones, Sustainable Finance Team, OWOW - Gustavo Rubio, Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, Coastal Management Division - Anne Weinberg, Assessment and Watershed Division James Bourne, Drinking Water Academy, Office of Water Jenny Bielanski, Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, Office of Water Peter Shanaghan, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund George Ames, Chief, SRF Branch, Office of Water US Army Corps of Engineers - Brayton Willis, Walla Walla District - Debra Willis, Walla Walla District Barbara Benge, Walla Walla District - Robert Brochu, Walla Walla District ------- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -5- EF@N NOAA Rosemary Furfey, Oregon Coast Coho Recovery Coordinator, NOAA Fisheries Technical Assistance Centers - Kent Smothers, Midwest Technology Assistance Center Nicole Duclos, Alaska Training and Technical Assistance Center State Lance Nielsen, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) Drinking Water Program Bill Jerrel, IDEQ State Revolving Fund Program Chris Lavelle, IDEQ Capacity Development Coordinator - Todd Maguire, IDEQ Non-Point Source (319) Manager Phil Bandy, IDEQ Watershed Protection Program Manager Jerry Nicolescu, Administrator, Idaho Soil Conservation Commission - Erv Ballou, Idaho Department of Water Resources - Terry Blau, Idaho Department of Water Resources Dan Garner, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation John LaRocque, Washington Department of Community Trade and Economic Development Leslie Hafford, Washington Department of Community Trade and Economic Development Scott Ruby, Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development Cathy Tucker-Vogel, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Jennifer Bunton, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Private Sector and Nonprofit Organizations Lee Napier, Chehalis Basin Partnership (Grays Harbor County, WA) - Kent Foster, Executive Director, Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts Wayne Newbill, Idaho One Plan Coordinator, Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts Ken Harward, Association of Idaho Cities Michael Sebastian Hargrove, Nature Conservancy Don Munkers, Idaho Rural Water Association Dan Schultz, The Network Group - Angela Thomas, The Network Group David Clompton, Information Designs Inc. - Sherrill Doran, CH2M-H111 ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EF©N The following Executive Summary of the EFC annual report highlights the major accomplishments of the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Network for 2004. The EFC Network is a university-based technical assistance program offering educational resources and financial outreach services to communities and local governments as well as the small business community on the how-to-pay issues of compliance with environmental standards. Currently, the EFC Network is made up of nine centers located in eight Federal Regions at the following universities: University of Southern Maine (Region 1), Syracuse University (Region 2), University of Maryland (Region 3), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Region 4), University of Louisville (Region 4), Cleveland State University (Region 5), New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (Region 6), California State University at Hayward (Region 9), and Boise State University (Region 10). The EFCs operate as a national association to foster greater collaboration, enhance project opportunities and encourage partnerships, as well as to clarify the role of the Environmental Finance Centers as a collaborative network. Located in the Office of Enterprise Technology and Innovation within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the Environmental Finance Program works with the EFC Network to set priorities and coordinate and plan activities. The financial outreach services of the Network concentrates on identifying ways of building the state and local financial and managerial capacity necessary to carry out environmental programs and help create sustainable environmental systems in the public and private sectors as well as increasing private sector investment in environmental systems. Each year since 1995 the Network has produced an annual report that documents the activities and the results achieved by the EFCs. These annual reports are available via the Office of the Chief Financial Officer's web site at http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/index.htm or directly on the Environmental Finance Program's website at http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/efc.htm. This website, and the comprehensive and innovative information contained within it, has become a highly effective means of communicating all aspects of the how-to-pay issues confronting the regulated community. ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EFGN Region 1 - New England Environmental Finance Center at University of Southern Maine The EFC at the University of Southern Maine (NE/EFC) serves the six New England states (U.S. EPA Region 1). The purpose of the NE/EFC is to advance the understanding and practice of "smart growth" throughout New England. From model ordinances to financial instruments, a wide variety of smart growth tools are now available to local land use decision makers and stakeholders. One new tool the NE/EFC, in collaboration with EPA Region 1, created was the Next Communities Initiative (NCI), which is designed to address the effective use and implementation of Smart Growth Principles and tools at the local government level. Another initiative was a program in water-related finance and outreach programming. The NE/EFC brought drinking water technical assistance providers together to discuss services currently provided to small water systems in Maine, identify unmet needs of the community of technical assistance providers and, collaborate on ways to address these needs. Other efforts included development of an online directory of watershed funding sources for Region 1, in collaboration with the Region 10 EFC and EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds. This directory will function in concert with an existing directory for Region 10 and will be available online in 2005. In 2004 the NE/EFC published a book: "ChangingMaine, 1960-2070." Topics addressed include energy, the environment, land use and sprawl, forestry, agriculture, and fisheries. Also published by the NE/EFC, "Some model amendments to Maine (and other states') land use control legislation" in the Maine Law Review, which eminated directly from the NE/EFC's roundtable discussions in 2002 and is designed to address the legal obstacles to smart growth identified by roundtable participants. Also in 2004, the NE/EFC developed most of a GIS inventory of protected lands using a Geographic Markup Tool to allow online upgrades to conservation lands data sets. From model ordinances to financial instruments, a wide variety of smart growth tools are now available to local land use decision makers and stakeholders. ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EF©N Region 2 - EFC at Syracuse University at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs The Public Management and Finance Program (PMFP), a hallmark project of the EFC, provided assistance to more than fifty communities in New York. The PMFP has served as a means for municipal professionals and leaders from EPA Region 2 communities to learn, explore, and discuss public finance and other issues relative to environmental improvements. The PMFP alliances and collaboration among technical assistance providers has been instrumental in removing gaps in the delivery of technical assistance to these communities. Other services provided by the EFC during 2004 included assistance with rate setting and analysis, facilitation of processes relative to environmental improvement, training events focused on environmental issues, and the EFC has developed a distinctive niche with respect to generating public interest in environmental infrastructure projects. analyses of funding options. Of equal importance during 2004 were activities associated with the Source Water Protection project, performed under the leadership of the New Mexico EFC. The source water activities have led to support from a private foundation to build upon the work accomplished through EPA support. With regard to stakeholder outreach and education, the EFC has developed a distinctive niche with respect to generating public interest in environmental infrastructure projects. By customizing the outreach strategy for each community, the EFC found that public education and outreach strategies were successful in relaying an understanding about the impetus for a project, the process of project development and the derivation of the household cost. The EFC has developed a unique role in the provision of customized training. In order to impart the greatest benefit to communities without duplicating existing training available, the EFC collaborates with partners, such as the Rural Water Association, RCAP Solutions, NY Conference of Mayors, Association of Towns and more, to create customized instructional formats focused on smaller groups and individuals, and incorporated a multitude of subject areas. During 2004, the EFC invited more than 1,400 local government officials and technical assistance providers to its specialized training events. The subjects addressed in these trainings included public finance, capital planning and budgeting, municipal bond issuance, computer finance models, rate setting and analysis, asset management, environmental conflict management and resolution, project financing procedures and regulations, and Process Communication Management. ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EFGN Region 3 - EFC at the University of Maryland On September 1, 2004, the Environmental Finance Center switched from the University's Sea Grant Program to the Institute for Governmental Service at the University of Maryland. Leveraging the resources of three established University of Maryland programs - the EFC, IGS, and Sea Grant - will result in new and innovative approaches to building sustainable, livable communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. The Maryland EFC continues its focus on providing training and information on watershed-based financing; investigating new and innovative uses of funding sources and emerging markets; assisting communities and local governments with capacity development; developing effective outreach and education tools for innovative and sustainable environmental finance approaches, and working with the Chesapeake Bay Program, the University of Maryland Institute for Governmental Service, and Maryland Sea Grant College. the EFC shifted its focus from doing rate analyses to offering individual training on the rate analysis process itself Much of the EFC's work has been to assist community leaders throughout the region in their efforts to finance the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay. In an effort to identify funding opportunities for financing this challenge, the governors of the Bay states authorized the formation of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Blue Ribbon Finance Panel and requested the EFC's assistance in staffing the Blue Ribbon Finance Panel. The Panel was charged with evaluating possible funding sources and financing mechanisms for reducing nutrient and sediment pollution throughout the Bay watershed. The EFC played an integral role in developing program strategies, providing technical support, as well as facilitating and coordinating panelist discussions. The EFC has been presenting the final report, Saving a National Treasure: Financing the Cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay, at Tributary Team meetings around Maryland. The EFC continued to offer rate design and training workshops to elected officials, utility operators, engineers and others interested in the concepts and technicalities of properly managing and sustaining utility systems. The previous years' training array was broadened by the addition of several new courses outlining overall management and asset preservation practices that can help the utility continue functioning over time. In an effort to encourage community systems to take ownership of the rate analysis process, the EFC shifted its focus from doing rate analyses to offering individual training on the rate analysis process itself, coupled with training and assistance to system personnel as they perform the analysis process themselves. ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EF©N Region 4 - EFC at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The UNC EFC sees one of its major roles as increasing the capacity of other organizations to address the financial aspects of environmental protection. As part of that effort, the EFC has been asked to help integrate environmental management concepts into the UNC School of Government resulting in a comprehensive two-day course on capital finance for local government utility, management, and finance officials. As part of that effort, the UNC EFC developed presentations on using municipal budgets effectively to encourage and monitor environmental management. Other trainings include capital planning and budgeting, and capital budgeting with a water and wastewater capital overview. Leadership has become a topic of great interest nationally for public water and wastewater utility managers. The UNC EFC presented financial management sessions for utility managers from across the country at the Kenan-Flagler Business School's executive education program designed for public utility leaders. The EFC participated in an annual work session for Region 4 tribal environmental managers. After making a presentation about different financial management tools and strategies available to communities, the EFC met with several tribes in the process of developing water systems. the UNC EFC works with decision makers to assess the effectiveness of environmental finance policies at a regional or state level The EFC devoted a significant amount of resources in 2004 to providing direct support to utility managers and practitioners throughout the Southeast. This technical assistance included e-mail and phone consultations; management of listservs; site visits; and the publication of guides and updates on key issues. In addition to direct community outreach, the UNC EFC works with decision makers to assess the effectiveness of environmental finance policies at a regional or state level, and to improve those policies as a way of supporting local efforts. Major policy efforts in 2004 included assessing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure funding in Appalachia and dissemination of the results; preparation of an inventory of different funding approaches for on-site wastewater systems; participation in an advisory panel addressing agricultural waste disposal challenges; participation with the North Carolina State Revolving Fund Coordinator to present information on disadvantaged community programs, and developing a statewide model stormwater ordinance. ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EFGN Region 4 - EFC at University of Louisville The Louisville EFC continued to broaden its training and technical assistance services with respect to contaminated land revitalization, working with a number of different cities on brownfield redevelopment, smart growth planning for area development agencies, and working with municipalities and states on the roles environmental insurance can play in mitigating risks and attracting investments in reclamation. The EFC also hosted the international conference on planning for urban sustainability from which it is preparing a series of papers for dissemination. As part of its work with EPA, the EFC provided input to EPA's Environmental Financial Advisory Board as it addressed RCRA financial assurance and ways of providing greater certainty over firms' financial capacity to remediate after completing ongoing operations. Another major effort for the EFC is the continued expansion of its Practice Guides series of briefing papers for local officials and local volunteer and citizen committee members. The series is focused on aspects of land use planning and information systems for promotion of urban infill, brownfield redevelopment and other aspects of smarter urban growth. The Center also provided direct technical assistance services to clients in Region 4 and elsewhere, and contributed to providing training and technical assistance through a range of other publications and presentations. These dissemination products have drawn on information collection through EFC funding, but, in most instances, also have drawn from or built on data gathered and research conducted by Center Staff and Associates. Publications span professional trade press and outlets, since all policy discussions contribute to more and cost-efficient journals, academic influence and can effective environmental finance practice The Louisville EFC is continuing expansion of its Practice Guides series of briefing papers for local officials and local volunteer and citizen committee members As part of its work with the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB), the EFC continued work on financial assurance requirements under RCRA regulations in order to examine some issues associated with adding a new financial obligation for potentially polluting small businesses. ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EF©N Region 5 - EFC at the Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University The Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center (GLEFC) provides technical assistance, training, and applied research as a resource for state and local governments, and public, private, and non-profit organizations in EPA's Region 5. Services include financial and economic analysis and strategies; policy analysis and planning; brownfields community advisory services; research and information services; and training seminars and conferences. The GLEFC utilizes many tools to assists clients, including financial and budget analysis, market and impact analysis, best practice reviews, training seminars and conferences, focus groups and community visioning/strategic planning processes, and environmental planning and program evaluation. GLEFC operations include several new projects, as well as projects that are driven by continuing partnerships with federal, state and local governments spanning two or more years, and second and third phases of externally funded projects. Brownfield technical assistance has been a key program for the GLEFC, which is in its fourth year of convening the Brownfields One- Stop-Shop (BOSS) forum of federal, Brownfield technical assistance has been a key program for the GLEFC state, and local government economic development and environmental officials, commercial and investment bankers, insurance executives, foundation officials, and developers to review brownfield redevelopment projects seeking financial and programmatic support. In 2004, the GLEFC merged the BOSS Forum with the Ohio Brownfield Finance Partnership convened by the Ohio Water Development Authority and moved the site of the Forum meetings to capitalize on the emerging state-wide market for brownfield redevelopment projects. The GLEFC also focused on several other urban projects designed to reclaim environmentally contaminated properties. To list just a few: the GLEFC developed an industrial land bank strategy and business plan for the City of Cleveland to enable the City to acquire and assemble larger landscapes of property for economic development purposes. The GLEFC assisted Cuyahoga County in defining the criteria for selecting environmental engineering firms to conduct brownfield site assessments. At the request of EPA's Region 5 office, the GLEFC initiated a national best practices scan to identify innovation in financing lead remediation and abatement programs. The best practice scan is being conducted for a consortium of local and federal agencies. ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EFGN Region 6 - EFC at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology The New Mexico EFC's core mission is to help state, local, and tribal governments meet environmental infrastructure needs and regulatory compliance through state and local capacity building and technical information transfer. Capacity building includes enhancing technical, managerial, and financial capabilities to achieve consistent and sustainable regulatory compliance and to develop sustainable infrastructure. The NM EFC's core mission is to help state, local, and tribal governments meet environmental needs through capacity building and technical information transfer. The NM EFC assists in local capacity building by examining alternative approaches to meeting regulatory compliance or environmental infrastructure needs; empowering communities to act as the "drivers" for their own projects; assisting with the procurement of professional services; presenting funding alternatives; acting as a bridge between federal, state, local and tribal governments; presenting neutral analyses of issues or projects, and gathering stakeholder input. The NM EFC has been extremely active over the past year and has experienced significant growth in its program activities. Some major projects included: capacity development activities for Region 6 states; capacity development program for New Mexico; capacity development for Tribal water systems; Tribal Operator certification program; Pilot Project on the feasibility analysis of water supply for small public water systems; resource-based or unified source water protection project; independent analysis of FCS leak detection technology for Albuquerque; water system collaboration pilot project for New Mexico; water system collaboration project for New Mexico; and the Public Management Finance Program (PMFP). As an illustration of some of their work with Tribes, in 2004 the New Mexico EFC continued its efforts to assist Tribal water systems improve public health protection through stepped up activities involving the Tribal Operator Certification Program. One of the measurements of the overall effectiveness of the program is the compliance record of the Tribal water systems. In addition, the NM EFC intends to introduce several new initiatives for 2005 that build upon the work efforts of the EFC for the past several years. Among them are advanced asset management for smaller water systems and work with a Tribal water system to test a new technology for arsenic removal. ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EF©N Region 9 - EFC at California State University at Hayward The Environmental Finance Center located at California State University is working for greener communities through cleaner business by advancing the environmental industry and promoting pollution prevention and source reduction. The EFC's mission is three- pronged: 1) to encourage business to adopt source reduction and pollution prevention; 2) to encourage consumers to choose green business and green business products, and 3) to help communities promote cleaner business. To that end, working with both the private and public sectors, EFC9 pursues its mission through numerous tools including green business development, environmental mediation, environmental business incubation, finance programs & directories, charrettes, conferences & workshops, research publications and reports, and hands-on assistance to small business. The Region 9 EFC is working for greener communities through cleaner business by advancing the environmental industry and promoting pollution prevention Throughout the past year EFC9 has continued to work with both the public and private sectors to promote cleaner business. After laying the groundwork for several new initiatives, EFC9 has accomplished much in 2004 on the following projects: Western States green business program coordination, business and environment in Hawaii, environmentally beneficial behavior in television, continued follow-up to the Phoenix Arizona brickyard charrette, Region 9 Tribal initiative, and the Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network conference workshops and sessions. Looking forward to 2005, the EFC will be undertaking several major new initiatives. The EFC will conduct two Green Business Program (GBP) summits to establish guidelines and a hierarchy for operating a statewide GBP program. Another effort involves product placement on TV and in the film industry known as ACT Environmentally. The EFC will expand on its successful work to date and increase its ability to place environmental products in more productions as well as showcase how these products are beneficial to the environment. The EFC also expects to work with salons and cosmetology schools in California to determine the potential health and environmental impacts of products used in salons. The focus of this pilot will be on common toxic salon products and potential alternatives. The EFC will identify available alternatives to key toxic chemicals and assess the barriers and opportunities within salons to adopt these alternatives. ------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EFGN The major theme for the EFC this year has been the development of additional innovative software financing tools Region 10 - EFC at Boise State University The Boise State EFC serves the Region 10 communities of the Pacific Northwest and the Intermountain states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The EFC creates computer-based techniques and programs that provide important information for decision makers to use in financing environmental systems. Because of its specialized services and tools, the Boise State EFC has also served other communities throughout the country. The major theme for the EFC this year has been the development of additional innovative software financing tools to respond to the needs of water and wastewater systems, as well as stakeholders involved in addressing non-point source water pollution challenges. The following are some of the new software tools made available to the regulated community throughout the country: Rate Checkup - a full-cost pricing model for water systems; System Development Fee Model - created to help water systems calculate the impact of new development and to design impact fees to recover those costs; Electronic Sanitary Survey - a sanitary survey data collection system operated on hand-held PDAs; Plan2Fund for Idaho - a financing and implementation model for application to the Clean Water Act Section 319 financing program; One Plan BMP Financing Model - identifies opportunities for watershed stakeholders to purchase additional BMPs to optimize water quality on privately-owned land; Arsenic Exemption Tool - assists staff unfamiliar with financial analysis by automatically generating a financial capacity report and, Capacity Tracker - supplies an annual "report card" on a utility system's financial capacity and provides trend analysis as well. Another important focus of the EFC has been on watershed financing activities. The EFC presented ten watershed funding workshops throughout Region 10 in 2004. Some of these workshops were at the intermediate level (focused on watershed stakeholders who are familiar with the watershed process but lack the knowledge and skills needed to weave together a funding strategy) and several were tailored to communities that have unique funding challenges. As part of the comprehensive financing tools made available to stakeholders working on watershed protection and restoration, workshop participants were provided with the Environmental Finance Center's database of funding resources, which demonstrated how to acquire information on EPA and other federal, state, local and private funding sources. Among the tools developed by the EFC is a Directory of Watershed Resources, a database of funding sources that is being expanded nationally. ------- NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE f EFGN je .chool 2004 Annual Report of the Environmental Finance Center Network Region 1 - New England Environmental Finance Center at University of Southern Maine The University of Southern Maine "was established in 2000 as the Region 1 New England Environmental Finance Center INTRODUCTION The EFC at the University of Southern Maine (NE/EFC) serves the six New England states (U.S. EPA Region 1). The purpose of the NE/EFC is to further the joint goals of the U.S. EPA and the Muskie School of researching, publishing, and extending creative approaches to environmental protection and management, especially respecting the associated "how-to-pay" questions. In particular, the Center works to advance the understanding and practice of "smart growth" throughout New England; in building local capacity to deal with related issues; and in developing and applying techniques that go "beyond compliance" with government regulations. The NE/EFC at the University of Southern Maine, housed in the Muskie School of Public Service, has a primary focus on land use and conservation issues. The NE/EFC began its activities 2001, and has undertaken a broad range of initiatives in the intervening four years. Calendar year 2004 was a period of considerable activity in numerous areas. REGION 1 ------- NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE * EFGN ACCOMPLISHMENTS NEXT COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE From model ordinances to financial instruments, a wide variety of smart growth tools are now available to local land use decision makers and stakeholders. Among the primary lessons of the NE/EFC experience is not that people are generally unfamiliar with these tools and the principles on which they are based; rather, the problem arises when people try to implement them at the local level. In other words, the real obstacles to smart growth in New England are not technical or knowledge-based, but attitudinal, institutional, and ultimately political in nature. This observation led the NE/EFC, in collaboration with EPA Region 1, to create the Next Communities Initiative (NCI), to address the effective use and implementation of Smart Growth Principles and tools at the local government level. NCI is training motivated community leaders and lay planners to make smart growth-oriented change happen in their cities and towns. The first step, in calendar year 2004, was development of a 3-day Interactive and case-based workshop series to help concerned citizens to 1) learn that change toward more sustainable land use is both desirable and possible; 2) gain an understanding of the intricacies and subtleties of local government and politics; and 3) explore obstacles to smart growth and how they may be overcome at the local level. In fall 2004, the NE/EFC conducted two pilot workshops in collaboration with partner organizations in northern and southern New England (Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island). The pilot workshops were evaluated as extremely successful by participants. The next expected step is a "Train the Trainer" program and workshops series, including a complete training manual to be posted on the NE/EFC website. The curriculum now exists as three eight-hour, highly interactive and experiential sessions: Session One: Participants come to understand "sprawl" not as a technical problem, but as (in Maine terms) a "wicked" problem - one that is ill- and variously-defined, features a lack of consensus on its causes, and lacks obvious solutions that don't involve challenging trade-offs and (often) fierce, value-based opposition. Participants gain insights to become informed leaders in the discussion of sprawl, and advocates of solutions that seek a wider public good without undue injury to private interests and concerns. Participants leave the session with a mindset that smart growth is an objective worthy of pursuit, and ready to explore how to navigate change through the local political system. REGION 1 ------- NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE f EFGN Session Two: This session educates individuals about local government processes, both formal and informal. It helps those interested in changing local land use policies understand the twists and turns of local government, what motivates and constrains it, how to mobilize and support the town's opinion leaders and citizens, and how to navigate the system to effect change. Session Three: Conflict most often attends change. This session teaches community leaders basic skills to deal constructively with conflict over both basic values and perceived interests. It prepares them to treat both personal and social conflict in the community setting. It also includes a final capstone game where the skills, ideas, and information learned in the previous sessions are applied to a practical case. Building on the successful delivery of the first set of workshops, the NE/EFC aims to move the NCI curriculum into a train-the-trainer format. By equipping organizations with these curriculum materials and a comprehensive instructor's manual, it should be possible to reach a broader audience and make a substantial contribution to smart growth-oriented local land use change. WATER PROGRAM In 2004 the NE/EFC initiated a program in water-related finance and outreach programming. The first event of the year was in March, in which the NE/EFC brought drinking water-related technical assistance providers together to 1) discuss services currently provided to small water systems in Maine; 2) identify unmet needs of the community of technical assistance providers; and, 3) collaborate on ways to address these needs. This was done in collaboration with the Region 2 EFC. A subsequent task was to provide an evaluation of stormwater finance options for a group of municipalities working collaboratively under an interlocal stormwater agreement. The report from this effort is publication #04-05 at (http://efc.muskie.usm.maine.edu/docs). Other efforts included development of an online directory of watershed funding sources for Region 1, in collaboration with the Region 10 EFC and the EPA Office of REGION 1 ------- NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE EF@N Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. This directory, which will function in concert with an existing directory for Region 10, will be available online in 2005. Other water-related initiatives under development in 2004 included investigation of software training needs in basic financial management for water system managers; organization of several utility finance meetings and conferences for the first half of 2005; and developing a beach closure finance workshop series with EPA Region 1 for early 2005. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN MAINE'S RURAL ECONOMY AND THE NATURAL RESOURCES-BASED INDUSTRIES ON WHICH THEY ARE BASED In 2004 the NE/EFC provided chairmanship of a "Steering Committee to Oversee Implementation of Recommendations from the Elaine House Conference on Maine's Natural Resource-based Industries." The November 2003 Elaine House Conference produced 75 recommendations for action in the agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism sectors that are the foundation of Maine's rural economy and landscape. As documented in its December 2004 report to the Governor (which can be viewed at http://www.state.me.us/spo/natural/gov), the Steering Committee oversaw significant progress on implementation of 60 of these recommendations by the Executive agencies directly responsible. ELAINE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON THE CREATIVE ECONOMY In 2004 the NE/EFC served on the steering committee (and as the guiding force) for a "Elaine House Conference" on the Creative Economy, the goal of which was to create an action plan to maximize contributions of the creative arts and artists to the revitalization of Maine's service centers and downtowns. The NE/EFC also led the development of a pathbreaking report describing measurement and analysis of the creative economy in Maine, available as publication #04-02 at http://efc.muskie.usm.maine.edu/pubs.htm. CHANGING MAINE, 1960 - 2010 In 2004 the NE/EFC published a book: "Changing Maine, 1960-2010," designed to formulate and give circulation to a new, basic understanding of Maine and its place in the world today, and to guide civic life and dialogue in the coming decade. The focus of each chapter is on policy and policymaking as they have exerted influence on REGION 1 ------- f EFGN NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE events. Topics addressed include energy, the environment, land use and sprawl, forestry, agriculture, and fisheries, and many others. Chapters are based on lectures from a series broadcast by Maine Public Radio to a listening audience of approximately 15,000 persons in Atlantic Canada, Maine, New Hampshire, and northern Massachusetts. The book summary can be viewed as publication #04-05 at http://efc.muskie.usm.maine.edu/pubs.htm. LAND USE LAW PROVISIONS In 2004 the NE/EFC published "Some model amendments to Maine (and other states') land use control legislation" in Maine Law Review. This document is available as publication #04-06 at http://efc.muskie.usm.maine.edu/pubs.htm. It emanated directly from the NE/EFC's roundtable discussions in 2002 and is designed to address the legal obstacles to smart growth identified by roundtable participants. Also the NE/EFC assisted (and continues to assist into 2005) the Community Preservation Advisory Committee of the Maine Legislature, GrowSmart Maine, and others in researching options for a legislative agenda based upon these model amendments. LAND FOR MAINE'S FUTURE EVALUATION In 2004 the NE/EFC released a report evaluating the State of Maine's "Land for Maine's Future" program (LMF), which had spent $85 million in state bond proceeds for open space acquisition and protection. The report found the LMF program to be well-conceived, wisely administered, and widely supported among citizens. Participants and observers from across the state agreed that its mission and practices are solidly grounded; that it has avoided becoming politicized; and that it has evolved thoughtfully to respond to new understandings of the role of land conservation and economic development in Maine. The general perception is that LMF well and truly serves the people of Maine. In general, it was observed to be a fine example of a public learning organization: open and transparent in its processes; welcoming of public participation and input; careful and strategic in its investment of public monies to optimize among the highest public values; and reflective and adaptive to changing circumstances and public needs. The NE/EFC evaluation concluded that Maine land conservation especially under LMF is rightly to be viewed as a basic infrastructure investment in the future of Maine's environment, economy, and cultural heritage. Like our rail and highway REGION 1 ------- NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE EF@N systems, it is a foundation upon which coming generations of Maine people will build their economy and culture, to reflect Maine values, needs, priorities, and diversity. To realize the greatest return on this investment, Maine people might best regard the LMF not as an end in itself, but as a tool or instrument of their larger, abiding purposes: sustainable economic development, environmental stewardship, and community building. The NE/EFC observed that there continues to be urgent need for a state-funded land conservation effort in Maine, for which there is broad public support; that LMF both deserves and needs to continue its efforts for the foreseeable future; and that new funding is needed at this time, to continue this important effort. The LMF report is available as publication #04-01 at http://efc.muskie.usm.maine.edu/pubs.htm. GIS INVENTORY OF PROTECTED LANDS DATA In 2004 the NE/EFC developed most of a Geographic Markup Tool to allow online upgrades to conservation lands data sets. Moving into the beginning of 2005, complementary applications and analysis products are being incorporated into the tool, to contribute to the establishment of a unified framework for capturing conservation lands data in Maine and EPA Region 1 as a whole. The NE/EFC will work with government agencies and spatial technology firms to develop technical and data partnerships applicable to conservation lands data capture in EPA Region 1. OTHER EFFORTS Continued development of an online course in conservation finance, which will be made available online in 2005. Continued a scoping effort for costs of sprawl database for New England. Held several planning meetings, reviewed literature, and formulated an approach and timeline for producing deliverables. Continued an inventory of state innovations in smart growth policy in New England. Contacted numerous program administrators in each New England state, began writing a document that will provide state policymakers a reference tool. Continued work on a smart growth video project, including providing staff support to the filming of interviews and scheduling filming days for case study projects. REGION 1 ------- f EFGN NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE Began work on the "Forum on Residential Density", including identifying expert categories for the Directorate to be convened, and revising a document that will be used to launch the Forum. Through teleconferences and work on joint documents, served on several workgroups for EPA's Environmental Finance Advisory Board. APPENDIX 1 OUTPUT MEASURES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2004 We use three categories of output measures, according to EPA's "Measurement Fact Sheet" at: www.epa.gov/region09/funding/rcra measurements.html. These categories are activities, outcomes, and impacts. We expanded the second category to include outcomes specific to the type of work we do in Region 1. ACTIVITIES Media produced Books and Articles posted on our website (http://efc.muskie.usm.maine.edu/pubs.htm). 1. Land for Maine's Future Program: Increasing the Return on a Sound Public Investment (#04-01; Executive Summary; Full Report). 2. The Creative Economy in Maine: Measurement and Analysis (#04-02). 3. Changing Maine: 1960 - 2010 (#04-03). 4. Smart Growth, State Policy and Public Process in Maine: the Dunstan Crossing Experience (#04-04). 5. Stormwater Utility Fees: Considerations & Options for Inter local Stormwater Working Group (#04-05). 6. Some model amendments to Maine (and other states') land use control legislation (#04-06). REGION 1 ------- NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE EF@N Workshops held Freeport, Maine. Organized a meeting of 15 drinking-water related technical assistance providers in Maine to discuss the services that are currently provided to small water systems in Maine; to identify unmet needs; and to identify ways to address these needs. Worked in collaboration with the EFC in Region 2 (Kim Farrell from Syracuse University attended and gave a presentation). Portland, Maine. Through efforts of a Muskie School graduate student working with the Finance Center, the NE/EFC organized, hosted, and presented at the conference "Using Sustainable Development as a Tool for Responsible Decision Making: A Land Use Perspective." Over 100 people attended including planning board members, town planners, architects, developers, transportation planners, and leaders from civic and environmental non-profits (4/8/04) Southwest Harbor, Maine. Moderated a forum and facilitated a public input session, on the question of how much recreational use will be allowed on newly acquired conservation lands (for the Appalachian Mountain Club, 10/2/04). Portland, Maine. Spoke about Working Waterfronts and moderated a forum titled "Development, conservation, and preservation of land and buildings: strategies for successful co-existence". (Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition, 12/8/04). Portland, Maine. Moderated a forum titled "Sprawl: It's not just a Cumberland County phenomenon". (Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition, 12/8/04). Augusta, Maine. Moderated a forum titled "Getting to Regionalization" (Grow Smart Maine Summit, 12/10/04). Other (media events, press releases, etc. Regular postings of events and publications on our website. REGION 1 ------- f EFGN NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE Outcomes Customer satisfaction/awareness Reports from events we coordinated or assisted with in 2004 were generally outstanding. For example, in one review from a conference where we spoke and moderated several sessions (Greater Portland Neighborhoods Conference, Portland, Maine), we heard "overwhelming accolades for directing a large group of people through a seamlessly delivered performance." Similarly, another group we assisted wrote us this note: "Your work at the annual meeting was a significant turning point for the organization. The survey you devised and the way you presented it made it easy for AMC Maine Chapter annual meeting participants to express their position on wilderness protection. The results were clear, important and significant." Changes in customer behavior Our work would not generally result in trackable behavior changes (see note under 'Impacts' below). Improved regulatory compliance Similarly, our work to date has had little to do directly with compliance issues. Improved legislation with respect to land use See "Mediaproduced' above. In 2004 we appeared before the Community Preservation Advisory Committee of the Maine Legislature to describe the land use law provisions we proposed. Discussions about how these provisions might be further improved are ongoing. Number of smart growth-oriented technical assistance responses provided Eleven technical assistance responses were provided to individuals or organizations requesting assistance or information about finance or planning of smart growth-oriented projects in New England. REGION 1 ------- NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE EF@N Impacts Note: The NE/EFC does not focus on achieving the types of impacts given as examples in an EPA fact sheet on outcome measures (recycling, solid waste reduction, and energy conservation; at: www.epa.gov/region09/funding/rcra_measurements.html). Our work is focused on reducing sprawl, so impacts of our activities are about encouragement of good development and preventing bad development. For example we help identify and recommend modifications in land use policy at the state level. Impacts of some of these changes might only be observable as a decline in the number of standard subdivisions in the state over a long period of time. Thoroughly quantifying these impacts would require years and a study design capable of separating out many nested influences. Our view is that an annual estimate of "planning outcomes" is not a realistic goal, because results of systemic changes in land use planning and policy take much longer than one year to transpire, track, and interpret. With this caveat understood, below are our broad estimations of the types of impacts (benefits) that our 2004 activities may have had. 1. A clearer understanding of tradeoffs involved in choosing various methods for financing stormwater utilities. 2. A clearer understanding of the need for public investment in open space acquisition. 3. A wider understanding of the role that the creative economy has in supporting downtown revitalization efforts. 4. A broader understanding of the social, political, and other changes that have transpired in Maine in the last 40 years and how they should shape current policy discussions. 5. A broader understanding among land trusts and other conservation groups of the need for incorporation of growth-related criteria in their land acquisition prioritization systems. 6. Similarly, a wider understanding of the role that a vibrant natural resource-based economy plays in the protection of the landscape, the restraint of sprawl, and the promotion of smart growth. REGION 1 ------- f EFGN NEW ENGLAND EFC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE 7. A greater chance that novel, comprehensive innovations in land use law might be adopted in Maine and throughout New England. Summary We feel that in the categories of activities, outcomes, and impacts, we are progressing toward the goals of the NE/EFC and contributing in a tangible way to the goals of the EFCN. REGION 1 ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC r EFGN Region 2 Environmental Finance Center MAXWELL SCHOOL OF SYRACUSE UNIVERS ITY 2004 Annual Report of the Environmental Finance Center Network Region 2 - EFC at Syracuse University at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs The EFC at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University "was established in 1993 as the Region 2 Environmental Finance Center. The EFC serves the States of New York and New Jersey as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. INTRODUCTION The EPA Region 2 Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs was established in 1993. During 2004, the Maxwell EFC continued to build a considerable record of accomplishment. The Public Management and Finance Program (PMFP), a hallmark project of the EFC, continues to thrive along with requests for other EFC services. Over the course of the past year, the PMFP provided assistance to more than fifty communities, and has been very well-received in New York because it enables REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN communities to better understand the relationship environmental finance has with other areas of government business, particularly economic or community development. The alliances and collaboration among technical assistance providers has been very instrumental in removing the gaps in the delivery of technical assistance, although all partners of the PMFP are cognizant that the cumulative of needs among communities exceed the resources available. Other services provided by the EFC during 2004 included assistance with rate setting and analysis, facilitation of processes relative to environmental improvement, training events focused on environmental issues, and analyses of funding options. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has continued to contribute support for the water and wastewater related activities of the PMFP, awarding $205,300 to the Region 2 EFC for 2003-4 program activities. The bulk of activities performed under the USDA grant involved specific municipal water or wastewater projects in which there was a need to facilitate the processes involved in the planning, financing, and implementation phases. These processes involved community-specific public outreach and education strategies relative to the costs associated with water or wastewater projects, a critical link needed to generate public awareness and support. In addition to the process facets of specific projects, the EFC targeted the smallest communities of New York State for training and capacity building initiatives. The EFC ended the year with the submission of a proposal to the USDA Technical Assistance and Training Program (TAT), including seven other EFCs (KY, ME, MD, NC, CA, ID and NM) in the PMFP water and wastewater activities. It is hopeful that the USDA will see the value and have the means to support a project implemented by the Environmental Finance Center Network, although it is understood that funding for such programs has declined due to homeland security and other national budgetary priorities. Of equal importance during 2004 were activities associated with the Source Water Protection project, performed under the leadership of the New Mexico EFC. The source water activities have led to support from a private foundation to build upon the work accomplished through EPA support. Additionally, the EFC planned and implemented a unique series of training events, the "Panels on Wastewater for Local Representatives", which were developed in collaboration with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the NY Rural Water Association, and the NY Water Environment Association. The EFC expects 2005 to be a year in which past and present efforts will be built upon and continue to flourish, thus enhancing the services it provides to EPA Region 2. REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN ON-GOING ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS Attendance at professional association meetings and presentations about the EFC Network, and topic-specific issues including capital planning and financing, the concepts of water and wastewater rate setting, collaborative planning, capacity building, and sustainable community development. Participating in planning prospective projects with government, nonprofit, and private sector partners of the Public Management and Finance Program. This includes projects that can receive support from private foundations. Collaborating with other technical assistance organizations to provide assistance to rural communities seeking to address environmental infrastructure improvement projects. Serving as a content provider to government and non-profit organizations that provide assistance and conduct workshops for municipal decision-makers. Continued emphasis on collaborating with other universities and non-profit organizations to develop proposals addressing environmental concerns, particularly those relating to water issues but also including brownfields redevelopment, lead contamination and more. Responding to requests from communities for assistance ranging from how to finance major water system repairs and how to develop capital budgets for environmental improvements to conducting focus groups to elicit public input or assess public awareness and support of environmental projects. Continuation of tasks and activities relative to specific projects, such as the Source Water Project, rate analysis, and customized forms of assistance in cost recovery. ACCOMPLISHMENTS PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE PROGRAM Since EFC 2 was established at the Maxwell School, it has become a resource for municipal professionals and other community representatives through a variety of presentations, workshops, and interactive forums. The Public Management and Finance Program (PMFP), officially launched in April 2001, has served as a means REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN for municipal professionals and leaders from EPA Region 2 communities to learn, explore, and discuss public finance and other issues relative to environmental improvements. The PMFP has received support from the United States Department of Agriculture to continue working with rural communities struggling with water or wastewater infrastructure development projects. During 2004, the PMFP responded to requests from local government officials to hold a topic-specific forum for local officials for the purpose of learning pertinent environment-related information. The forum was held in February 2004 at the Town of Alexandria Municipal Building. A representative of the New York Office of the State Comptroller (NYS OSC) spoke with more than twenty five municipal representatives about implementing intermunicipal agreements as a means to provide enhanced or expanded services to their constituencies. Representatives of abutting communities found that if water and wastewater projects are planned cooperatively, the costs can be substantially less. The February forum consisted of a presentation by the NYS OSC regarding the basics of intermunicipal agreements, including successful and unsuccessful attempts to create such agreements, and was followed by a facilitated discussion during which municipal representatives shared their thoughts and community-specific concerns. Due to the success of this event, the EFC plans to host additional forums for local representatives in 2005. The EFC hopes to engage private sector engineering and finance firms to contribute to the sponsorship of these forums. Aside from the monetary value of providing support to the forums, the private sector has significant expertise to offer and will be asked to supplement some of these sessions with presentations and discussions about their experiences as appropriate and fitting to selected topics. There is little change in the primary functions of the PMFP to facilitate partnerships among technical assistance community, provide public outreach and education relative to environmental improvements, and training to local government officials and technical assistance providers. These three functions, or components, of the PMFP can be critical links to the ability of a community to successfully develop a project. The sub-sections below identify those links. (Refer to the 2002 and 2003 Annual reports for additional information about the components.) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIPS The EFC sponsors quarterly "Technical Assistance Partnership Forums" for the purpose of promoting and sustaining collegial relationships among technical REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC -5- EFGN assistance providers (TAPs). During 2004 the Forums were attended by an average of 30 TAPs representing an average of 22 nonprofit, public, private and academic organizations that serve New York as well as other states. The Forums have created an environment in which an exchange of information reduces duplication of efforts, thereby maximizing technical assistance resources available to other communities, and promotes efforts that complement one another, enhancing the ability of the communities they serve to access new or additional resources. It is the only vehicle available to all TAPs to meet on a regular basis to 1) share information about projects without interruptions; 2) discuss solutions to particular situations and "brainstorm" relevant ideas; 3) learn about new statutes, procedures, or guidelines relative to their fields; and 4) receive new or advanced training. There are immense values contained in this activity if one considers the benefit to small communities that is imparted when TAPs communicate with one another about project planning and implementation. The Forums provide ample opportunity for TAPs to "connect" with one another and facilitate communication about community infrastructure projects and ideas. The Forums begin in the morning with each TAP briefly mentioning projects or issues s/he is working with, followed by a specific topic of discussion - alternative financing, funding procedures, conflict management, and stormwater management were among the topics at the 2004 Forums. During the lunch hour, the EFC invites a guest speaker who addresses another topic of interest and then engages TAPs in an interactive discussion. The afternoon hours are set aside for open discussions about a range of issues, concerns, or projects with ample opportunity for people to network and share information. STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND EDUCATION The EFC has developed a distinctive niche with respect to generating public interest in environmental infrastructure projects; public outreach and education activities are a critical link for a community to generate public awareness and support. Over the past several years, the EFC has received calls from municipal leaders who have worked to develop a much-needed project but fear that, ultimately, it may be rejected by voters due to a lack public understanding. It is not uncommon for the public to vote against a project due to misperceptions, particularly related to household cost issues. The EFC has found that public education and outreach strategies have been successful in relaying an understanding about the impetus for the project, the process of project development and the derivation of the household cost. The EFC approaches each community as a distinct entity in which no "one-size-fits-all" model of outreach and REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN education can be applied. EFC staff meet with community leaders to learn the historical elements of a prospective project as well as the current conditions prompting the planning for the project. Information concerning the extent to which groups have formed in favor or opposition to the project is obtained as well as all information concerning estimated costs. The EFC customizes the outreach strategy for each community. In some communities, the EFC will develop a community-specific survey to gauge the level of public interest and identify public perceptions. Alternatively, or in tandem with the surveys, the EFC may conduct a series of focus groups to elicit input from homogenous factions within the population and to get insight into any concerns that might exist, what information (accurate or inaccurate) people have received, and what the general perceptions are. These tools enable the EFC to create a sensible strategy for the public outreach and education process. Depending on the community, the EFC might create materials for display and/or distribution in which information, such as the cost of wells/septic systems, is effectively depicted using graphic and verbal methods. Other material might include information concerning the costs associated with getting water from source to tap. While there is a myriad of information available in which such facets of water are illustrated, it is usually very generic and communities can be unresponsive - it is not "their" community and therefore "inaccurate". EFC material is created to be specific to the community and consequently enjoys an element of responsiveness from community members that generic material cannot provoke. Another outreach tool is the Community Roundtable. The EFC uses public property or voter lists from the local government to randomly invite up to 50 people to attend. To date, all Roundtables attract more than the number of people who responded that they would attend. The EFC brings a light meal in the early evening and creates a panel of "experts" at the front of the room. The panels are typically comprised of at least one local government official, an engineer, and a representative from a government-sponsored funding agency. The meetings begin with all present introducing themselves and stating what motivated them to attend. The EFC facilitator provides a set of "rules" concerning the purpose of the meeting and giving assurance that all views are valid and worthy of discussion. The facilitator then leads the panel through a brief series of questions concerning the impetus for the project, the technical feasibility of the project, and the anticipated costs per household. The panel provides information on how financing takes place, the length of time it will take for the project to be built, and other issues the EFC believes appropriate. The REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC -5- EFGN audience is then engaged in a facilitated discussion in which they are provided the opportunity to express their concerns. The Roundtables have always resulted in positive and highly constructive discourse focused on the project. Public officials frequently glean insight they previously did not have and the public always gets information that is accurate and framed in terms they can understand. TRAINING The EFC has a developed a unique role in the provision of customized training. As the PMFP was being developed, the EFC sought to ensure that its trainings complemented the training provided by its partners, including organizations such as Rural Water Association, RCAP Solutions, NY Conference of Mayors, Association of Towns and more. In order to impart the greatest benefit to communities without duplicating existing training available, the EFC has collaborated with its partners to create customized instructional formats, focused on smaller groups and individuals, which take place over a three to four day period and incorporate a multitude of subject areas. This allowed for the EFC to "fill the gaps" that were believed to exist in the delivery of technical assistance and training among smaller communities. During 2004, the EFC invited more than 1,400 local government officials and technical assistance providers to its specialized training events. Furthermore, the EFC made itself available to provide content to the trainings held by its partner organizations as needed and appropriate. The launching event for the PMFP took place in April 2001 at Syracuse University's Minnowbrook Conference Center, located in the Adirondacks. In 2002, there were two PMFP events held at Minnowbrook; in 2003, there were three. In 2004, three separate multiple-day training events, consisting of six distinct trainings, were held. A minimum of three training events are scheduled to take place in 2005. The topic areas presented at the training events were determined primarily by responses from TAPs and community representatives. The EFC staff makes every attempt to respond to the expressed interests of participants. The subjects addressed in the 2004 trainings included public finance, capital planning and budgeting, municipal bond issuance, computer finance models, rate setting and analysis, asset management, environmental conflict management and resolution, project financing procedures and regulations, and Process Communication Management. Each training event integrated "case simulations" into the format. The simulations are developed using real case studies as the basis of the role assignments and training REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN material. Participants assume new "roles", which are opposite of their professional roles, to enable them to experience other perspectives. Each group is comprised of an equal distribution of technical assistance providers and government officials, which supports the ability of individuals to explore all perspectives of a given situation. The simulation community members spend the majority of their time solving the problem(s) at hand using the training material for reference and guidance with techniques and methods. The last section of the training events is dedicated to presentations from the simulation communities. During this time, all training participants discuss alternative solutions as well as share real experiences they have had with similar situations. This highly interactive format encourages "peer-to-peer" learning, applied learning, and "shared" learning as simulation group members form teams to solve problems under constrained time and resource conditions. Unlike many training or learning methods, the simulation method is steeped in team building and reliance on the strengths of individuals within the group - everyone participates in the learning process without feeling inhibited or intimidated by unfamiliar information or any lack of skills. The EFC staff will continue to elicit participants for additional topics of interest and attempt to incorporate those interests into future trainings. Consistently, community representatives and technical assistance providers alike highly rate the PMFP training in terms of both format and content. The training events have continued to expand the clientele of the EFC, as many community leaders have requested specific assistance or asked to be put in contact with partners' technical assistance services. The trainings are a significant accomplishment, "bridging the gaps" in terms of having a means for technical assistance providers and local governments to interact in a comprehensive manner, using a variety of methods to promote learning, networking, and the delivery of solid expertise relative to environmental improvements. The PMFP will continue to use highly interactive and participatory methods of delivering all of its components. SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROJECT Under the leadership of the University of New Mexico EFC and in cooperation with EPA Region 2, the EFC has been working with communities in Chenango County, NY with common concerns for potential drinking water contamination. To achieve an outcome that combines both process facilitation and direct technical expertise, the EFC continued enjoying a collaborative relationship with the Water Resources Institute to carry out the activities of the project. The project was completed in June REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC -5- EFGN 2004, but the EFC has continued to work with the Chenango County Water Operator's Council. Through the Council, the EFC secured a $6,000 grant from the Altria Group, a private foundation, to work on a project in the County aimed at raising awareness of drinking water sources and protection among private water system users. The following activities were completed on behalf of the Source Water Protection Project during 2004: Built upon the successes of the project by obtaining a grant of $6,000 from the Altria Group, parent corporation of Kraft Foods. Several Kraft water operators are Water Operators Council members and it is through their efforts that the EFC successfully applied for the funding. The grant will be used to conduct focus groups and community meetings and develop outreach material to promote source water protection practices among homeowners. This work will set the stage for later work to promote actual testing of source water. Facilitated monthly meetings of the Chenango County Water Operator's Council, a group of public and private water system operators and representatives from the County Health and Planning Departments, Soil and Water Conservation District and the local Environmental Education Center. Developed Council meeting agendas in conjunction with Co-Chairs and scheduled speakers and presentations on the following topics: o USDA' s Conservation Enhancement Program o EPA's Disinfectant Byproduct Rule o U.S. Geological Service and underground aquifers o NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH) and Community Environmental Management as it relates to source water protection o Well maintenance o Hydrant maintenance and repair o Sample, testing and system maintenance o Susquehanna River Basin Commission Groundwater Management Plan REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN o Water system security and financing o NYS DOH operator grades and certificates o NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Storm Water Management Assisted the Council in developing and compiling a survey of public water system equipment in the County that is available for emergency loan, thereby helping to ensure that all municipal water systems are able to provide uninterrupted service to the public. Published the Council Update, the Council's quarterly newsletter distributed to all system operators and elected officials in the County. Completed or planned source water assessments to supplement the NYS DOH assessments to identify potential sources of contamination to drinking water. Distributed meeting notes and agendas to all water system operators and other interested parties in the County (there are 63 system operators and 37 elected officials-congressmen, mayors, supervisors, state senators and assembly representatives). The Source Water Protection Project is based on the notion that communities working proactively to protect their health and resources will prevent contamination of their drinking water sources. A proactive approach can help a community avoid serious health risks associated with drinking water contamination. It can also be an economical approachpreventing contamination can be much less expensive than cleaning a contaminated source. The brochure the EFC developed in 2002 for distribution to water systems, customers, community groupsanyone interested in protecting their drinking water, continues to enjoy broad distribution and effectively provides basic information about source water protection. RATE SETTING ASSISTANCE During 2004 the EFC continued to work with communities attempting to create equitable user rates as they pursued water and wastewater system improvements. During 2002 and 2003, the EFC developed a more customized system of delivering training and assistance to communities because workshops and instruction at training REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC -5- EFGN events did not appear as valuable to the actual learning process for many practitioners. What the EFC learned through evaluations was that the training events often resulted in "information overload" and municipal representatives derived greater benefit from more one-on-one methods of instruction. Providing individual assistance requires more time on the part of EFC staff, however, it results in the delivery of more comprehensive information to communities and ensures their ability to develop a stronger internal capacity to work with rate structures. In turn, this assures that the government's investment in the EFC will have the longer term impact it seeks. Over the past decade, the EFC has recognized that rate setting training delivered in the classroom to groups of practitioners does not have the same long term value, particularly when consideration is given to changes in political administrations responsible for rate setting decisions. Human nature inhibits many individuals in a group setting from asking specific questions relative to their circumstances, or otherwise fails to recognize differences in learning styles. By working with communities on an individual basis, the EFC is not only facilitating capacity-building within a community, it is complementing the broader training provided by other technical assistance providers, such as the Rural Water Association, which continues to deliver training using classroom methods. During 2004, the EFC provided either comprehensive rate analyses or customized training to many communities including the Village of Watkins Glen, Town of Fenton, Town of Westport, Town of Kirkwood, Town of Jasper, Village of Springville, Town of Inlet, City of Dunkirk, Village of Bergen and Village of Harrisville. Other communities have contacted the EFC expressly about assistance with rate structures. The EFC anticipates working with several of those communities but cannot do so until specific data is made available. PANELS ON WASTEWATER FOR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES Developed and implemented in 2004, the "Panels on Wastewater for Local Representatives" are the product of a collaborative approach involving NY Water Environment Association (NYWEA), NY Rural Water Association (NYRWA), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the EFC. While many think of the Chief Operator as the responsible party for a municipal wastewater system, the overall success or failure of the system largely depends upon the local officials and other non-technical staff. Informational sessions were specifically designed to reach out to local officials and other non-technical staff; the target REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN audience was comprised of local representatives who contribute to the management of their wastewater facility including mayors, supervisors, clerks and sewer board members. Each session was filled to capacity, involving a total of 75 attendees which included mayors, supervisors, clerks, treasurers, sewer board members and wastewater operators. Municipal wastewater treatment plants represent a huge capital investment that provides a critical public service. This program enabled participants to better understand and manage this investment by conveying technical information in layman terms. All sessions were held in the evenings and began with a light dinner, sponsored by NYWEA and NYRWA, to give participants the opportunity to network with funding agency representatives, NYSDEC Regional Water representatives and other technical assistance staff. A basic overview of wastewater "lingo" and treatment processes was presented to encourage officials to communicate with technical operators about management and operational issues on a routine basis. The importance of protecting, maintaining and providing adequate financial support was emphasized. Participants left with a clear sense of environmental administrative responsibilities, the need to maintain compliance and educate the public. A key component of each session focused on funding sources for wastewater infrastructure improvements. Representatives from NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation, USDA Rural Development, NYS Energy Research and Development Authority, and NYS Department of State Appalachian Regional Commission spoke about potential sources of funding for wastewater projects and provided a wealth of information for participants. Several factors were instrumental to the success of this project including: free-of- charge evening sessions, an interactive agenda, and conveyance of technical information in laymen terms. Additionally, a comprehensive marketing approach, using printed and electronic media buttressed by personal contact, was implemented to reach the target audience throughout New York State. A pre-session questionnaire focused on participants' needs and key issues, coupled with a facilitated roundtable discussion, allowed each session to be responsive and individualized. Participants were afforded the opportunity to network with both funding agency representatives and technical staff. Overall, participants gained an enhanced understanding of wastewater treatment including the financial, managerial, and environmental responsibilities of elected representatives. REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC -5- EFGN All sessions were very well attended, confirming a clear need to continue this outreach effort. Topics for future events were identified by participants during the roundtable discussion to maintain responsiveness to community needs. Evaluations showed that participants supported the content and structure of the Panel. Most were able to pinpoint their community's key issues, and planned to become more involved in wastewater management. Plans to continue this successful collaborative effort in 2005 are underway. EFC COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES SUMMARY EFC NETWORK The Public Management and Finance Program mentioned previously in its own section was the most significant collaborative activity during 2004, as it was in 2001, 2002 and 2003. EFCs located in Kentucky, North Carolina, New Mexico, Idaho, California, Maine and Maryland were included in a proposal submitted to the USDA in December 2003 to fund the water and wastewater work of the PMFP. Through the leadership of the New Mexico EFC and in collaboration with four other EFCs, the EFC 2 will continue to collaborate on the Source Water Project mentioned previously. The EPA funding for the project officially ended in June 2004; however, the EFC 2 sustained the project through support from a private foundation. A continuation of EFC 2 activities is planned through 2005. Through the leadership of the EFC@UNC (North Carolina) and in collaboration with the EFC at the University of Maryland, the EFC 2 prepared environmental finance case studies relative to the Appalachian region, focused on Appalachian community infrastructure funding gaps and Appalachian communities that have successfully provided adequate levels of infrastructure investment. The New Mexico EFC (lead), in collaboration with five additional EFCs, provided an opportunity for the EFC 2 to participate in a Water System Security project which will address the "how to pay" issues surrounding water system security measures. EFC 2 staff will receive training and impart this knowledge to communities and appropriate technical assistance partners throughout EPA Region 2. The project received funding and is scheduled to begin in early 2005. REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN The EFC 2, in collaboration with two other EFCs, submitted "Capacity Building for Morocco NGOs and the Department of the Environment" in August 2004. The purpose of this proposal is to provide training and outreach for Moroccan environmental NGOs and the Department of Environment in order to improve their capacity to protect the environment and enhance their enforcement efforts. Notification of grant funding is pending. Other The "Panels on Wastewater for Local Representatives", mentioned previously in its own section, are a collaborative effort involving the EFC, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NY Rural Water Association, and NY Water Environment Association. The EFC plans to build upon this project throughout 2005 with additional funding from the NYS DEC, anticipated in spring 2005. Continued developing concepts and proposals with the Water Resource Institute of Cornell University to work with communities seeking environmental improvements. WRI has immense technical strengths and the EFC has immense financial and process-oriented services that, when combined, make a complementary team. During 2004 WRI and EFC discussed numerous prospective opportunities to consider for the future. The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYSEFC), RCAP Solutions, Inc. and EFC staff collaborated on several occasions in 2004 to provide comprehensive assistance to communities in need of drinking water and wastewater systems. RCAP and NYSEFC provided assistance in developing the applications for grants and loans while the EFC focused on methods to generate community support and customize public education efforts concerning the costs of systems and issues surrounding the impetus for the projects. INITIATIVES FOR 2005 Develop new projects in collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Environmental Systems, led by Syracuse University and the New York Indoor Environmental Quality Center, an umbrella organization that channels the efforts of 12 research institutions, targeted research centers, and nearly 50 businesses and economic development organizations that are participating in this regional initiative. REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC -5- EFGN Develop projects in New Jersey and other areas within EPA Region 2. This entails continuing to work with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission on a waste management district project. The Commission contacted the EFC in 2004 to assist them in public outreach and education for a special district to manage septic systems in this environmentally sensitive area. New construction in the Pinelands is required to include advanced septic systems to reduce the potential of nitrogen and other contaminants entering the environment. The Commission is concerned that these systems be properly maintained and would like the EFC to work with them on determining public knowledge and acceptance of waste management districts. The EFC has proposed a series of focus groups and other outreach methods to identify stakeholder concerns about potential districts. The EFC will build on this project by continuing to identify potential partners and projects in New Jersey. Implement and build upon the "next stage" of the Source Water Protection Project. In 2004, the EFC received funding from a private foundation to support focus groups and community information meetings which were held in late 2004, with plans to continue these efforts in 2005. Additionally, the EFC has submitted a proposal for funding to expand these efforts; anticipated activities include supplemental trainings and the development of customized community outreach and education materials. This work will pave the way for additional project activities and growth. Thus, the intent of the EPA to provide "seed" funds to enable a broader project will be achieved. Continue to develop the "Panels on Wastewater for Local Representatives" in collaboration with the NYS DEC, NYRWA and NYWEA, expanding upon the subject matter presented and incorporating additional partnering organizations as appropriate. Supplemental funding from the NYS DEC is anticipated in 2005. Continue to develop the Public Management and Finance Program, particularly with respect to pilot testing the concept in at least two other states served by an EFC. This will involve coalescing technical assistance providing organizations, identifying two communities, and sponsoring travel to New York for representatives of those communities to receive training at one of the EFC's three- day training events. This will, first, show the commitment to the collaborative element of the PMFP, and, second, it will enable the PMFP to elicit data on the needs of communities outside of New York and, thus, be able to develop proposals for funding accordingly. REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN Support graduate student projects to research environmental finance issues for communities and other nonprofit or government associations. It is anticipated that various capstone projects will be carried out in May 2005. PRESENTATIONS, CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS In addition to the aforementioned projects, the EFC regularly participates in national, state-wide, regional and local professional events. The following summarizes these activities and also includes representative examples of project activities. January 2004 - Traveled to New Mexico to meet with USDA representatives and NM EFC staff to plan for the development and implementation of the PMFP in New Mexico. February 2004 - Presented information about the EFC Network and the PMFP at the New York State Association of Towns Annual Meeting in New York City. February 2004 - Traveled to North Carolina to meet with the USDA representatives and EFC@UNC staff to plan for the development and implementation of the PMFP in North Carolina. February 2004 - Facilitated PMFP Partnership Forum for technical assistance providers; primary topic: municipal financing. March 2004 - Attended Environmental Finance Advisory Board meeting in Washington, DC, which preceded the EFC Director's meeting that took place immediately thereafter. March 2004 - Presented information about the EFC Network and facilitated a roundtable discussion in Freeport, Maine to assist the New England EFC with the "Technical Assistance Issues in Maine Towns" meeting. March/April 2004 - Conducted training event at Syracuse University's Minnowbrook Conference Center for local government officials and technical assistance providers. May 2004 - Conducted training event at Syracuse University's Minnowbrook Conference Center for local government officials and technical assistance providers. REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC -5- EFGN May 2004 - Presented four public outreach sessions in Dunkirk, NY about the value of municipal drinking water. May 2004 - Presented at the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission conference in Lake George, NY about financing watershed protection. June 2004 - Facilitated PMFP Partnership Forum for technical assistance providers; primary topic: stormwater management. June 2004 - Received an additional one week of training in Process Communication Management in Little Rock, Arkansas for the purpose of providing such training to local government officials. July 2004 - Presented at the 2004 Society for Conservation Biology Conference in New York City about the EFC Network with the New England EFC (and other EFCs). August 2004 - Attended Environmental Finance Advisory Board meeting in San Francisco, CA. September 2004 - Facilitated PMFP Partnership Forum for technical assistance providers; primary topic: EFCN as a community resource. September 2004 - Presented rate analysis options to board members of the Village of Bergen, NY. September 2004 - Facilitated two "Panels on Wastewater for Local Representatives" in collaboration with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NY Rural Water Association and NY Water Environment Association. October 2004 - Conducted training event at Syracuse University's Minnowbrook Conference Center for local government officials and technical assistance providers. October 2004 - Facilitated the third "Panel on Wastewater for Local Representatives" in collaboration with aforementioned partners. November 2004 - Attended Demographic Analysis Workshop in New York City REGION Z ------- SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN for the purpose of improving research skills with US Census data and GIS systems. November 2004 - Presented at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's "Manager's Forum" in Syracuse, NY about the EFC and the "Panels on Wastewater for Local Representatives". December 2004 - Facilitated PMFP Partnership Forum for technical assistance providers; primary topic: alternative financing through underwriting and other means. CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, please visit our website: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/efc or contact the Syracuse EFC at (315) 443-9994. REGION Z ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC -5- EF@N Environmental Finance Center THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAN D 2004 Annual Report of the Environmental Finance Center Network Region 3 - EFC at the University of Maryland The University of Maryland focuses on "watershed issues, especially in the Chesapeake Bay region INTRODUCTION With support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Environmental Finance Center at the University System of Maryland was created to assist local communities in identifying innovative and equitable means of paying for environmental projects. The mission of the Environmental Finance Center is to provide communities with the tools and information needed to manage change for a cleaner environment and an enhanced quality of life. In an effort to encourage communities to make informed choices related to the protection of the environment - REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC * EFGN especially watersheds - the EFC works to promote an atmosphere of respectful, innovative, and creative communication. NEW PARTNERSHIP On September 1, 2004, the Environmental Finance Center officially joined the Institute for Governmental Service at the University of Maryland. The EFC is excited about the opportunities that this new partnership will bring. It will allow communities throughout the region to leverage the resources of three established and successful University of Maryland programs - EFC, IGS, and Sea Grant - and will certainly result in new and innovative approaches to building sustainable, livable communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. Coinciding with the new IGS partnership, there have been several EFC staffing changes. After 12 years of distinguished service, Dr. Jack Greer - of Maryland Sea Grant - stepped down as EFC Director on December 31, 2004. Though Jack's leadership will be missed, he has agreed to serve as Senior Advisor to the EFC. The following is a complete staff listing: - Dan Nees, Director - Michelle O'Herron, Program Manager - Jean Holloway, Training and Education Manager - Dr. Jack Greer, Senior Advisor - Michelle Lennox, Project Assistant - Jennifer Cotting, Project Assistant ACCOMPLISHMENTS In order to help communities and local governments participate in effective and responsible environmental management on a watershed scale, the Environmental Finance Center continued to develop and deliver effective, innovative technical assistance and training for financing environmental protection and restoration. To carry out this goal, the Environmental Finance Center focused on the following key objectives throughout 2004: Delivered training and information on watershed-based financing. Investigated new and innovative uses of funding sources and emerging markets. REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC -5- EF@N Assisted communities and local governments with capacity development. Developed efficient and effective outreach and education tools for reaching a broad clientele with information about innovative and sustainable environmental finance approaches. Worked with key partners, especially the Chesapeake Bay Program, the University of Maryland Institute for Governmental Service, and Maryland Sea Grant College. Technical Assistance Chesapeake Bay Blue Ribbon Finance Panel A significant focus of EFC's work over the past decade has been to assist community leaders throughout the region in their efforts to finance the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay, our nation's largest estuary. The funding and financing challenges are significant. In order to solve the primary cause of the Bay's decline - excess nutrients from farms, wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, city streets, suburban lawns, even from the air - communities will be required to implement best management practices (BMPs) far above those currently in place. The costs associated with implementing these BMPs are staggering - upwards of $30 billion by some estimates. In an effort to identify funding opportunities for dealing with this enormous financing problem, the governors of the Bay states authorized the formation of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Blue Ribbon Finance Panel. The Chesapeake Bay Program requested the Environmental Finance Center's assistance in staffing the Blue Ribbon Finance Panel as it undertook its important work. The Panel was charged with evaluating possible funding sources and financing mechanisms for reducing nutrient and sediment pollution throughout the Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Executive Council, which establishes the policy direction for the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay, asked the panel to "consider funding sources to implement the tributary strategies basin-wide, and to make recommendations regarding other actions at the federal, state and local level to the Executive Council." Fifteen distinguished individuals were selected to serve on the Blue Ribbon Finance Panel. Panel Members included high-level business leaders of major companies, financial and economic experts; stakeholders with experience in storm water, agriculture, air emission and wastewater treatment plant funding and pollution REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC * EFGN control; and current and former local, state, and federal officials with financing expertise. Additionally, experts and presenters from various fields of expertise provided invaluable information to the panel. The EFC played an integral role in developing program strategies, providing technical support, as well as facilitating and coordinating panelist discussions. Each of the Blue Ribbon Finance Panel Meetings addressed a particular sector that delivers nutrients and sediment to the Bay. The sectors covered included Municipal and Industrial Wastewater, Agriculture, as well as Developed Lands, Forests and Air Deposition. The Panel's recommendations are contained in the 40-page final report, Saving a National Treasure: Financing the Cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay. The report is available on the EFC web site: www.efc.umd.edu. In addition, the EFC has been presenting the results of the Blue Ribbon Panel at Tributary Team meetings around Maryland including: Upper Western Shore, Patuxent River, Patapsco River, and Upper Potomac River, in addition to the Tributary Team Leaders in Annapolis, MD. The Interagency Technical Assistance Committee on Wastewater Systems in Maryland (ITAC) In December of 2000, the leadership of the Maryland House and Senate, the Chairs of the Economic and Environmental Affairs and the Environmental Matters Committees, and the Chair of the Maryland Delegation to the Chesapeake Bay Commission wrote to then Governor Parris N. Glendening about the wastewater needs of the State. In March 2001 an Executive Order created the Task Force on Upgrading Sewerage Systems to assess wastewater infrastructure needs and to identify other challenges to the successful planning, design and construction of wastewater facilities to accommodate existing and projected population. The previous EFC Coordinator served on this Task Force and contributed substantially to its findings and recommendations. The Task Force produced a report in December 2001 identifying the need for $4.3 billion in capital funds to address wastewater treatment plants and collection systems. The report made several other recommendations, including evaluating and improving the Water and Sewerage Planning process. In a follow-up to this effort, House Bill 659 was passed in the 2002 session of the Maryland General Assembly. This bill was a combination of three bills before the legislature, which called for the study of a wide variety of water security and wastewater systems topics. HB 659 created the Advisory Council on Water Security and Sewerage Systems and the Interagency Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC). REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC -5- EF@N The Interagency Technical Assistance Committee on Wastewater Systems in Maryland (ITAC) was charged with implementing a recommendation of the Governor's 2001 Task Force on Upgrading Sewerage Systems by advising local jurisdictions on the efficient operation and financial management of wastewater treatment systems. Currently, the EFC Training and Education Manager sits on this committee. In the course of initial joint meetings of the ITAC and the Advisory Council on Water Security and Sewerage Systems (Advisory Council), it was determined that the ITAC would be responsible for updating the 2001 Task Force report, as well as certain tasks outlined in HB 659 originally assigned to the Advisory Council, specifically the finance, public awareness and technical assistance recommendations from the 2001 Task Force Report. The ITAC was required to report its findings to the Advisory Council on or before November 1, 2004, with the final report to be presented to the legislature by the end of calendar 2004. The Advisory Council's work will be complete with the submission of their report, but the ITAC will continue to review and implement recommendations made by the 2001 report as well as new ones arising in the course of the current deliberations and report from 2004. To accomplish these initial tasks, several subcommittees were formed including a Finance Subcommittee, chaired by the EFC Training Manager and a Public Education and Technical Assistance Subcommittee, of which the Training Manager was a member. The EFC Training Manager also assisted in the drafting of several sections of the final report at the request of the Advisory Council chair and MDE staff. This new committee concluded, among other things, that funding needs are now estimated at approximately $5.3 million, and that funding currently committed may be sufficient to meet those needs for the short term provided changes are made in the way those funds are allocated and utilized. The committee's report, issued in December 2004, also recommended that more effort be directed towards training for local officials to enhance system capacity and sustainability, and that there appears to be a need for better education on what balanced system operation entails. The ITAC will continue to meet throughout 2005 to elaborate further on its findings and to make recommendations for implementation of specific areas of its report. Financial and management capacity training Utility rates offer a mechanism for capturing most of the costs of operating and maintaining water and waste water systems and can ensure that they are self- supporting. Good financial management and sustainability for water and wastewater systems entails prudent long range planning, especially Capital Improvements REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC * EFGN Planning (CIP) and Asset Management skills in addition to sound overall management practices. The EFC continued to offer rate design and CIP training workshops to elected officials, utility operators, engineers and others interested in the concepts and technicalities of properly managing and sustaining utility systems. The EFC made use of the CAP Finance program developed by EFC 10 to illustrate sound capital expenditure planning methods in its applicable training sessions, and to assist communities individually when needed. Since there is more to sustainability than just the ability to provide financial services, the previous years' training array was broadened by the addition of some new courses outlining overall management and asset preservation practices that can help the utility continue functioning over time. One new offering focuses on the basics of Asset Management for water and wastewater utilities. This course targets small systems without formal asset management procedures and illustrates how to set up and maintain a good program that will sustain the utility's infrastructure throughout its useful life, as well as save on operating and replacement expenses in the long run. The second new offering is aimed at non-technical, decision-making personnel involved in small drinking water systems and provides an overview of the issues, requirements and responsibilities for those who provide community drinking water. This Small System Training unit focuses on issues like record and bookkeeping, liability and risk management, self-evaluation of capacity, the need for written procedures in certain areas, security measures and requirements, legal, financial and administrative responsibilities and the basics of a system operations and maintenance manual. The addition of these new training programs has allowed the EFC to increase its impact throughout the region. The EFC Training and Education Manager conducted 20 training sessions throughout Region 3, reaching 200 people representing 100 organizations. Training topics included: asset management, financial management basics, and capital improvement planning. In addition, the Training Manager participated in a panel discussion sponsored by the National Association of Towns and Townships in Washington, D.C. The title of the discussion was, "Responding to Environmental Challenges-Regulation Update, Asset Management, and Capacity Development in Smaller Communities" The Training Manager also participated in the Annual Training Institute at NESC by presenting two training sessions and acting as a panelist/presenter in a third session. The Annual Institute is attended by trainers and assistance providers from across the country and the Maryland EFC has been one REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC -5- EF@N of its co-sponsors for the past 5 years. The Training Manager also attended Rural Water conferences in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, presenting one or more training sessions at each one. Utility Rate Studies Much of EFC's work is based on the belief that full cost pricing and sound rate setting practices are essential to sound financial management of a sustainable utility. In an effort to encourage community systems to take ownership of the rate analysis process, the EFC is shifting its focus from doing rate analyses to offering individual training on the rate analysis process itself, coupled with training and assistance to system personnel as they perform the analysis process themselves. It was felt that this method would yield more long-term enhancement to systems' capacity than actually performing this essential management function for them. Systems are also instructed in the use of the various spreadsheets that the EFC Training Manager has developed for rate analysis and are left with usable copies of these Excel documents. Watershed Financing Local officials and community leaders often focus watershed protection efforts on one or two funding sources, such as the Environmental Protection Agency's Section 319 funds. This approach to funding is understandable given the complexity of the problems, issues, and potential solutions available. Finding public funds - usually in the form of grants - is often the easiest and least politically costly financing solution to very entrenched issues and problems. Yet there is not enough public funding or private grants to pay for the recovery of watersheds and habitat areas. The Environmental Finance Center continues to work with community leaders in creating watershed-financing plans that identify and leverage several types of sustainable funding sources, the key to successful implementation of any community effort, including watershed restoration and protection. The Sustainable Financing Initiative In the fall of 2004, the EFC expanded its watershed financing programs with the development of the Sustainable Financing Initiative. The goal of this Initiative is to provide communities with the tools they need to effectively finance and implement watershed protection plans and strategies. This program is funded through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC * EFGN Over the next year and a half the EFC will hold four to five workshops around the region focused on helping communities overcome barriers to implementing their watershed plans. This past year the EFC, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), set up a steering committee comprised of representatives from a cross section of communities in Maryland who had been, or were just becoming, involved in the Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) process through the state. The EFC convened the first meeting of the steering committee in November to discuss the issues that needed to be at the forefront of the Maryland workshop. The workshop for Maryland is currently being planned based on the issues identified by the steering committee. Chesapeake Watershed Dialogues The National Parks Service (NFS) Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program, in partnership with the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, has initiated a collaborative effort to foster local watershed management in the Chesapeake Bay basin. The first stage of this effort will consist of a series of dialogues aimed to teach local governments, organizations and other stakeholder groups about watershed planning, and how these plans need to be incorporated into local land use decisions and other conservation practices. Three to five high priority watersheds from each state will be targeted for assistance from RTCA. After the dialogue, an RTCA staff member will be assigned to assist each watershed with the completion and implementation of their watershed plan. The EFC participated in two of these dialogues over the past year. Last January the EFC Director and Project Manager gave a general presentation on watershed financing and participated in the workshop and discussions at the Maryland dialogue. In November, the EFC again partnered with RTCA on a dialogue workshop held in the Cacapon and Lost Rivers watershed in the northeastern part of West Virginia. The West Virginia dialogue brought together state and federal agencies as well as staff from the local Congressional district to discuss how to work collaboratively on land preservation issues in this rapidly developing part of the Bay watershed. Smart Growth in Maryland Maryland's Eastern Shore in under significant development pressure as a result of population increase. The Eastern Shore has become a popular place to live because of its proximity to major cities, water-based recreational opportunities, low cost of living and low crime rate. Small municipalities on the Eastern Shore struggle to cope with the onslaught of growth with limited, or sometimes nonexistent, staff and REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC -5- EF@N financial resources and often outdated zoning ordinances. Many communities are looking for ways to turn this growth into sustainable community development. In November 2003, the EFC's Project Manager, and a representative from the University's Cooperative Extension, attended a EPA Smart Growth training program in Washington DC. After the training the Maryland Sea Grant Extension Director received a $5,000 grant to help implement some component of Smart Growth in Maryland. The EFC's Project Manager convened several meetings with representatives from Washington College, The University of Maryland Institute for Governmental Service (IGS), University extension representatives, The Conservation Fund and a private consultant to determine how to use the resources that this group could provide, including the EPA grant money, to do a community visioning project for the Town of Galena on Maryland's Eastern Shore. These meetings were quite successful and the group was committed and enthusiastic about the project. The Project Manager presented the proposed project to the Galena Town Council on March 1st and asked for their input and assistance. The idea was well received by the Council and community members in the audience. Unfortunately, the Council decided that they did not want to do a visioning exercise before they rewrote their comprehensive plan. The group decided that doing a visioning exercise concurrently with a comprehensive planning was not the right approach, and decided that their resources could be better applied elsewhere. Subsequently, IGS began working with Caroline County, Maryland to do a countywide visioning exercise. The EFC has partnered with IGS and others on this project, and is contributing to the survey phase of the project currently in development. Also, in September the Extension Coordinator called together a group of experts in this field from different departments of the University to discuss how best to coordinate and utilize the resources available to communities from the University. Everyone present agreed that coordinating the resources of this group would provide a tremendous opportunity for future projects and partnerships. The EFC will continue to work with this group on future projects. Solomon's Harbor Septic Forum The Project Manager continued to participate on a workgroup established by Calvert County to look at innovative approaches to address the nitrogen entering Solomon's Harbor from septic systems located in nearby residential areas. The workgroup is composed of representatives from the County, technical experts and local residents. The EFC has provided advice and expertise on innovative ways to finance the REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC * EFGN solutions that the group decided on. The group presented their recommendations to the County Commissioners, and received a generally positive response. They continue to meet periodically, and the EFC will remain engaged to assist them when needed. EFC COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES SUMMARY EFC NETWORK Source Water Protection Initiative During the past year, the Maryland EFC completed its work with the Unified Source Water Protection Project. The Project was charged with assisting communities throughout the country in their efforts to protect drinking water sources. The University of Maryland EFC is working to better incorporate such protection efforts into larger watershed protection efforts. Frederick County, Maryland During this past year the Source Water Protection Plan for Lake Linganore was completed and was presented to the County Commissioners in July. The commissioners spent a considerable amount of time questioning the Project Manager and County staff about the contents and recommendations of the report. They concluded that they would reexamine the plan in November after the County got additional input from homeowners and the agricultural community. The revised plan was presented to the commissioners again in November and it passed 4-0, with one commissioner absent. The commissioners then directed the group to begin developing implementation strategies, and to return in several months to present their implementation plan. The process of developing an implementation strategy is being directed by the County Planning Department, but the EFC will continue to remain engaged and offer assistance in the development of this strategy. Berkeley County. WV The Berkeley County Commissioners accepted the source water protection plan and have already begun implementation of certain components. They have begun to discuss how to set up a Water Resources Advisory Committee to advise the Commissioners on water related issues. The group used a $25,000 EPA award it received to pay for an educational program including an outreach booklet written for REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EFC -5- EF@N the general public explaining the threats to drinking water in Berkeley County and the importance of source water protection. Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Drinking and Wastewater Infrastructure Needs Survey The University of Maryland EFC partnered with the EFCs at the University of North Carolina and Syracuse University on an Appalachian Region proposal that was awarded funding. This project is part of a contract with the ARC to examine water and sewer infrastructure needs and gaps in Appalachia. A graduate student was hired to help with administering the survey and developing a case study on Accident, Maryland. The project was concluded this past year with the finalization of the survey results and the completion of the case study, which will be included in the final report along with other case studies from around the region. EFAB As a member of the EFAB Nonpoint-Source Workgroup, Dr. Jack Greer, the outgoing EFC Director, authored and submitted an article on watershed financing and the Chesapeake Bay Blue Ribbon Finance Panel for the EFAB newsletter (to be published in advance of the spring 2005 EFAB meeting). Dr. Greer also participated in regular conference calls and assisted in developing a strategy to be presented at the August 2004 meeting of EFAB in San Francisco, including a letter to the Administrator of EPA detailing important mechanisms for approaching the issue of nonpoint-source funding. In addition, Dr. Greer served as an expert witness on EFAB, and participated in the planning of a conference to be held in conjunction with the August EFAB meeting focused on the critical issue of affordability. He also helped facilitate this conference. REGION 3 ------- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC EFGN 2004 Annual Report of the Environmental Finance Center Network Region 4 - EFC at University of Louisville The University of Louisville is one of two EFCs serving EPA's Region 4 states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina INTRODUCTION The Louisville EFC continued to broaden its training and technical assistance services relating to brownfield regeneration and planning for more environmentally and economically efficient market-driven human occupation in 2004. In addition to expanding its Practice Guides series of briefing papers for local officials and local volunteer and citizen committee members, the Center hosted an REGION 4 ------- * UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC EFCN international conference on planning for urban sustainability from which it is preparing a series of papers for dissemination. The EFC continued its direct technical assistance with respect to contaminated land revitalization, working with a number of different cities on brownfield redevelopment, smart growth planning for area development agencies, and municipalities and states on the roles environmental insurance can play in mitigating risks and attracting investments in reclamation. The EFC also provided input to EPA's Environmental Financial Advisory Board as it addressed RCRA financial assurance and ways of providing greater certainty over firms' financial capacity to remediate after completing ongoing operations. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Among major activities of the EFC in 2004 was hosting the Sixth Symposium of the International Urban Planning and Environment Association in September. In addition, the EFC continued to expand its Practice Guide series, and to provide technical assistance and training services in addition to producing other written materials for practitioners. International Conference on Local Sustainable Development Efforts The 6th International Symposium of the International Urban Planning and the Environment Association (IUPEA) was initiated by the EFC in 2003. The Symposium was held in Louisville, September, 4-8, 2004, with the overall theme of Global Pressures on Local Autonomy: Challenges to Urban Planning for Sustainability and Development. In addition to the EFC and EPA Region 4, the symposium was hosted by University of Louisville College of Business and Public Administration University of Louisville Center for Environmental Policy and Management Louisville Metro Government Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis Supporters included Ministry of the Environment, the Netherlands Kentucky Chapter of the American Planning Association Riverfields, an Ohio River conservancy REGION 4 ------- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC -s- EF©N University of Cincinnati, School of Planning Bluegrass Tomorrow Plenary speakers from outside the University of Louisville included: A. Stanley Meiburg, Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 4, US EPA Donald Mains, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, US HUD Edward Gramlich, Member, Board of Governors, US Federal Reserve System Joan Riehm, Deputy Mayor, Louisville Metro Government Raquel Pinderhughes, Professor of Urban Policy, San Francisco State Univ. James Throgmorton, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Univ. of Iowa The symposium attracted 213 attendees, including both public officials and academic researchers, representing 23 different countries who presented and discussed 78 papers based on their research and practice experience. Field trips to examine inter-state cooperation in Ohio River preservation, sprawl management around Lexington, KY, and inner city redevelopment in Louisville, KY were included in the program, as was a focus group session on planning for compliance with the new PM 2.5 air quality requirements that brought international insights to bear on the policy options facing the Jefferson County (KY) Air Pollution Control District. Practice Guides and Working Papers The Louisville EFC's Practice Guide series is focused on aspects of land use planning and information systems for promotion of urban infill, brownfield redevelopment and other aspects of smarter urban growth. The series development is ongoing, and is specifically structured to take advantage of efforts conducted under other auspices by Center personnel. (Authorships below identify EFC Staff in bold and EFC Associates in parentheses) Practice Guides Completed in 2004 and Available On-Line "Greyfields" The New Horizons for Infill and Higher Density Regeneration by K.M. Chilton C&D Debris Recycling for Environmental Protection and Economic Development by N.G. Leigh and L. Patterson REGION 4 ------- * UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC EFCN Practice Guides Initiated before 2004 but still not completed Financing Local Public Infrastructure: Determining an Effective Revenue Stream that Supports Local Projects (S. Coffin) Developing New Uses for Low-to-no-MarketBrownfields: The Affordable housing Solution (S. Coffin) Working Papers Posted On-Line The Brownfields Phenomenon: Much Ado about Something or the Timing of the Shrewd!" by K. Wernsted, A. Alberini, L. Heberle, and P.B. Meyer. The Center has also provided direct technical assistance services to clients in Region 4 and elsewhere, and contributed to providing training and technical assistance through a range of other publications and presentations. These dissemination products have drawn on information collection through EFC funding, but, in most instances, also have drawn from or built on data gathered and research conducted by Center Staff and Associates. Publications span professional journals, trade press and academic outlets, since all influence policy discussions and can contribute to more effective and cost-efficient environmental finance practice. While some formally funded activities are listed below, the range of research endeavor that has contributed to the Center's productivity includes extensive efforts funded internally as part of university commitments of faculty time to the practical application of research. The apparent leverage of the EFC funding, therefore, significantly understates its real stimulus on related activity if only the externally supported work is included. Technical Assistance/Training Services Provided EFC staffer K. Cairns served on the Board of the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center, continuing her term as the governor's appointee. EFC Director P.B. Meyer provided assistance to efforts at University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign on the use of Tax Increment Financing to facilitate regeneration of Great Lake shorefront brownfields. Provided guidance on resource documents and feasibility analysis to planners at that university. REGION 4 ------- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC -s- EF©N EFC Director P.B. Meyer provided information to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality on reuse options for the Vicksburg Chemical facility. EFC Director P.B. Meyer participated and provided briefings in Regions 2, 8 and 10 on public sector utilization of environmental insurance both to protect government fiscal policy and to encourage private sector investment on previously contaminated sites in OSWER's Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment Workshops on Environmental Insurance for Regulators. The briefings were conducted for Region 8, in Denver, CO, in April; for Region 10, in San Francisco, CA, in June; and for Region 2 in New York in December. EFC Director P.B. Meyer and C. Norton, EFC Planner, both attended EPA's Brownfields 2004 meeting in St. Louis in September. Dr. Meyer organized and moderated a session on private developers' valuations of different incentives intended to attract them to brownfields, "ULI Developer-Members Tell Us What It Takes to Attract Them to Brownfields." Panel members included private developers and state officials. Both EFC representatives participated actively in a brownfields transaction forum to learn more about the operations and concerns of public sector agencies attempting to sell brownfields, and redevelopers looking for new investment opportunities. New Print Publications EFC Director P.B. Meyer, K. Wernstedt and A Albenni" Practice Note: Brownfield Redevelopment" Urban Land, July, pp. 28-31. Externally-Funded Research Projects Involving EFC Personnel The EFC at Louisville is imbedded in the University's Center for Environmental Policy and Management (CEPM). Many of the EFC personnel also work part-time on other projects in CEPM, tying their technical assistance and training functions in the EFC to related projects supported with other funds. These projects include: Urban Regeneration through Environmental Remediation: Valuing Market- Based Incentives for Brownfields Development. Continued work on this study for EPA and the National Center for Environmental Research with Resources for the Future and the University of Maryland, initiated May 1, 2002. This study looks explicitly at what public center incentives are most likely to attract developers to undertake projects on brownfield sites, providing data for more cost-effective redevelopment subsidy practices by both state and local governments. Findings REGION 4 ------- * UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC EFCN from this study were part of the dissemination and training activities of the EFC in 2004. Expediting the Environmental Insurance Purchasing Process. Continued work on a study for EPA's OSWER Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment with Northern Kentucky University (NKU), initiated October 1, 2002. This study involves following three local governments (one each in Regions 4, 5, and 6), as they attempt to learn about, and work their way through, the complexities of acquiring environmental insurance in conjunction with pursuing their redevelopment efforts involving contaminated land. The cases will then be used to provide guidance on how to expedite the process. The EFC provided technical assistance to the local governments the case study cities to facilitate their efforts. Accelerating Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment with Innovative Uses of Environmental Insurance. New five year program of research and technical assistance for EPA's OSWER Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment with NKU, initiated October 1, 2003. This project involves updating information on available insurance products applicable to redevelopment of contaminated sites, monitoring state efforts to ease access to environmental insurance, investigating the potential for pooling certain types of small brownfield sites such as old gas stations to provide access to insurance, promoting an area-based approach in revitalization efforts, and otherwise promoting infill through new risk management approaches that ease access to capital. INITIATIVES FOR 2005 The new initiatives launched by the Louisville EFC in 2004 represent efforts to build on the foundation already laid. As noted above, complementary research efforts were undertaken during the year. Those efforts should contribute to technical assistance and training products in 2004 and beyond. Work on new Practice Guides, intended for release in 2005, was initiated. EFC personnel also prepared other publications, both in print and on-line. Practice Guides Developed in 2004 now in Preparation for On-Line Posting Contaminated Properties: A Community Guide to Federal Regulations and Programs by S. Hollis and S. Opp REGION 4 ------- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC -s- EF©N Initiating a Local Brownfields Programs: Outcomes Depend on Where you Place It by S. Opp New Dissemination Efforts L. Heberle, with S. Coffin from St. Louis University and D. Bates of the College of New Jersey, is preparing a paper on "Property Rights, the American Dream, and Communist Urban Outsiders: Constructing the Anti-Smart Growth Message" for the Urban Affairs Association meetings in Salt Lake City, UT, in April. C. Norton is preparing a paper on "Brownfields outside the box: Off-site impacts and the returns to local remediation subsidies" for the Urban Affairs Association meetings in Salt Lake City, UT, in April. L. Heberle and P.B.Meyer are preparing a paper on on "Public-Private Partnership Problems: Mismatche Public and Private Sector Perceptions of the Brownfield Issue and the Effects on Redevelopment Policy" for the Urban Affairs Association meetings in Salt Lake City, UT, in April. K. Cairns is preparing a paper on "The Long and Rocky Road: A Case Study of Public Involvement and Participatory Planning in Environmental Justice Policy Issues" for the Urban Affairs Association meetings in Salt Lake City, UT, in April. New Participation in EFAB Task Forces The EFC continued work on financial assurance requirements under RCRA regulations in order to examine some issues associated with adding a new financial obligation for potentially polluting small businesses and assigned a new University- supplied graduate research assistant, Susan Opp, to collect additional information and develop possible policy options. Specific involvements included: Work with the HQ Environmental Finance Team and Region 4 Deputy Administrator Stan Meiburg, who is also the Designated Federal Official for the EFAB, on scheduling speakers and preparing content plans for a workshop on financial assurance and insurance for June, 2004. Attended and participated in the workshop on financial assurance and insurance, New York, NY, June 14-15. REGION 4 ------- * UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC EFCN Worked on follow-ups to the workshop and on defining some of the next steps for the EFAB Workgroup. Print Publications in Process L. Heberle and. K. Wernstedt. "Revaluing Brown/Held Redevelopment Incentives: Public Sector perceptions of the redevelopment process." Submitted to Economic Development Quarterly, article currently in revision. L. Heberle submitted "Contesting Social Capital: Definition and Measurement Issues Continue," an article addressing the ways in which misunderstandings about the concept of "social capital" can confuse and undermine communities' capacities to plan for themselves and defend their physical and social environments, to the Journal of Urban Affairs. T. Lambert and P.B. Meyer "Is Sprawl to Blame for Slower EMS Response Rates!" Submitted to Regional Science and Urban Economics. K. Wernstedt, P.B. Meyer, A. Alberini and L. Heberle "Incentives for Private Infill Development in U.S. Urban Areas'" Submitted to the Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. P.B. Meyer prepared a sidebar commentary on the Atlantic Station project for the Winter 2004-5 issue of the Partners newsletter of the Community Affairs Department of Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. L. Ye., S. Mandpe, and P.B. Meyer. "What IS Smart Growth? - Realty!" Accepted by the Journal of Planning Literature; forthcoming February, 2005. Initiatives for 2005 undertaken by the EFC in 2004 included planning for a number of new Practice Guides intended to take advantage of information garnered in the course of data collection during the year. A number of other potential publications were prepared and submitted for review. Training and technical assistance provision for 2004 was not scheduled in 2003, largely because such activity is generally late early in the calendar year, and the efforts generally have substantial lead times. REGION 4 ------- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC -s- EF©N Practice Guides Initiated in 2004 and Awaiting Completion in 2005 Low Population Density and Emergency Response: Accepting Delays or Higher Service Costs by P.B. Meyer and T. Lambert Historic Preservation and Brownfield Redevelopment - Not Conflicting, but Complementary by C. Norton Alternative Financing for Brownfield Redevelopment - Possibilities and Implementation Example?, by S. Opp Citizen Participation and Project Cost - the Costs and Benefits of Openness and Community Involvement by K. Cairns Working Papers in Process All conference papers presented in 2004 and in process for Spring 2005 presentation are being prepared for inclusion in the Working Papers series by Summer 2005. New Research Activities Collaboration with Dr. Thomas Lyons of the School of Urban and Public Affairs, University of Louisville, on a project to examine "Entrepreneurship Opportunities and Responses in the Brownfield Redevelopment Arena - Factors Affecting Capacity to Capitalize on Opportunities in an Emerging Marketplace" through examination of developers who have pursued contaminated land redevelopment under state voluntary cleanup programs in Region 4 and other states. Support in the form of internal University funds and the services of a graduate assistant for the 2004-5 academic year will permit this project to proceed, starting in August, 2004. Collaboration with Dr. David Simpson of the School of Urban and Public Affairs, University of Louisville, on a project on "Understanding Risk and Hazardous Materials and Wastes: Perception and Reality in the Conceptualization of Risk at the Community Lever with a national survey of local government risk management officials to see if they understand the environmental risks they face (from floods, hurricanes, etc.) that are associated with sites with untreated pollution or residual contamination associated with RBCA-based remediations. REGION 4 ------- * UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC EFCN Pre-proposal submitted to the Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI) and received positively. University commitment of needed matching funds obtained. Full proposal for review by PERI board is planned to be prepared early in 2005. Finalized negotiations with the Development, Community and Environment Division of the EPA Office of Policy, Economics and Inoovation for a competitively awarded study of "Smart Growth Policies That Spur Brownfields Revitalization" Publication of a four color glossy report for mass public distribution is planned for late 2005. SPECIAL PROJECTS In addition to its main information generation/dissemination activities with respect to environmental finance and planning for the uses of land in and around urban areas, the Louisville EFC undertook or launched the following special projects in 2004 that are not described above: Completed process work on, and have initiated support for implementation of the recommendations from, a US Department of Education - funded environmental education and management project, "Partnerships for a Green City." The planning effort involved the University of Louisville, Jefferson County (KY) Public Schools and Louisville Metro Government in a problem- solving and project-planning collaborative consultation to: » Develop recommendations for a comprehensive environmental education program for JCPS and the community; » Identify research areas that assess children's exposure to environmental pollutants, health outcomes, and impacts on cognitive abilities and behavior; and, » Identify approaches for the partners to create sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings and infrastructure (e.g. schools, public buildings, roads, water systems). The EFC will support and provide technical assistance support to their implementation going forward into 2005. REGION 4 ------- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC EFGN EFC COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES SUMMARY As an active member of the Environmental Finance Centers Network, the Louisville EFC participated in the preparation of proposals for funding of different network- wide environmental finance projects. The Center also initiated efforts at the preparation of a collaborative network project on aspects of environmental finance for brownfield redevelopment, drawing on the collective experience of different centers across the nation. Dr. Peter Meyer, EFC Director, continued in his role as an officer of the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN), becoming President at the March Directors meeting in Washington, DC, and attending meetings with EFCN colleagues following the EFAB Summer meeting in San Francisco(August). The EFC participated in two EFCN collaborative proposals in 2004: "USDA Technical Assistance and Training program (USDA TAT)" The proposal involves supporting the improvement of small rural areas' community capacity to plan for and finance improvements in their drinking water systems. EFC4@UofL intends to be a sub-grantee to the PI, the Region 2 (Syracuse) EFC, with a KY budget of $80,000. "Financing and Water/Wastewater System Security'' Proposal submitted by the New Mexico EFC on behalf of the EFC Network at the request of the EPA Office of Water to address the financial and risk management decision-making process appropriate to consideration of spending on protecting water systems from any form of terrorist attack. The University of Louisville EFC role will be to take the lead in preparing a Financial Guide to Water and Wastewater System Security, for use in training operators of small water systems in appropriate decision processes for allocating their security resources, for a $50,000 share of the project budget. PRESENTATIONS, CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS Presentations, whether to academics active in providing policy advice or to practitioners engaged in policy formulation and implementation, are frequently the most immediate and rapid means of communicating new findings and knowledge to improve practice. Moreover, participation in conferences in which information is exchanged constitutes one method by which the Center staff acquires new information and case study data that contribute to our guidance dissemination. The Louisville EFC thus takes care to maintain a high level of activity in this key information dissemination arena. Presentations to academic gatherings are limited REGION 4 ------- * UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC EFCN to those organizations whose attendees have strong interest in, and thus study and report on, public policy practices that can inform environmental finance policies and procedures. International conferences are exceptionally valuable in this regard, since they offer ideas for innovation that are not available in a purely US exchange. The Center's presentation activities in 2004 included the following, all of which facilitated conference participation and information acquisition by the staff involved. Dr. Heberle organized and presented at a colloquy on sprawl for Urban Affairs Association Annual Conference, Washington, DC, in March: "Sprawl and Suburbia: What Are They, And How Do We Measure Them?" Dr. Meyer organizing and presented at a colloquy on brownfields, "Brown/Held Reclamation - Community, not just Economic, Development" at the Urban Affairs Association Annual Conference in March in Washington, DC. Dr. Meyer participated in a panel on environmental financing and conservation at the Soil Conservation Society meetings in New York in July Dr. Heberle attended the American Sociological Association meetings and presented a paper on social capital and community capacity for constructive response to environmental and socio-economic change in San Francisco in August. Dr. Cairns presented "Education into Citizenship: Environmental Education, Participatory Democracy, and the Precautionary Principle" at the International Urban Planning and the Environment Association (IUPEA) conference in Louisville in September. Dr. Meyer, with Dr. K. Wernstedt of Resources for the Future, completed a paper on "Developers' Ratings of Different Incentives for Infill Projects" for presentation at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning meetings in Portland, OR, in October. While on a research trip in Great Britain in November (not funded by the EFC), Dr. Meyer presented EFC-related papers to academic and practitioner audiences at three UK universities: "Recent Environmental and Site Regeneration Policy in the United States General Business Considerations and Property Developers' Responses to Incentives" European Regional Business & Economic Development Unit, Leeds Metropolitan Univ. REGION 4 ------- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE EFC -s- EF©N "Comparing Urban Regeneration Approaches - US vs. UK (New York West Side vs. Thames Gateway as an example)'' Department of Urban Development and Regeneration, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Univ. of Westminster, London. "Developers and Investment Incentives - What is reduced uncertainty REALLY worth to real estate investors?' Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development, School of the Built Environment, Oxford Brooks University. REGION 4 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN ENVIRONS-jJ/AL CENTER 2004 Annual Report of the Environmental Finance Center Network Region 5 - EFC at the Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University Cleveland State University is the Environmental Finance Center serving the Great Lakes Region The Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center (GLEFC) assists communities and public, private, and non-profit sector entities in the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin build innovative, cost effective, REGION 5 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC and high quality strategies for environmental improvement and sustainable economic development. The GLEFC is housed within the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. The GLEFC provides technical assistance, training, and applied research as a resource for state and local governments, and public, private, and non-profit organizations in U.S. EPA Region 5. The Center assists these entities in solving financial problems related to environmental facilities and resources. Services include financial and economic analysis and strategies; policy analysis and planning; brownfields community advisory services; research and information services; and training seminars and conferences. GLEFC utilizes many tools to assists clients, including financial and budget analysis, market and impact analysis, best practice reviews, training seminars and conferences, focus groups and community visioning/strategic planning processes, and environmental planning and program evaluation. ACCOMPLISHMENTS In 2004, the GLEFC portfolio of projects included several new projects, projects that are driven by continuing partnerships with federal, state and local governments spanning two or more years, and second and third phases of externally funded projects. As in prior years, the GLEFC provided technical assistance, applied research, seminars/training, counsel, and testimony to local, state, federal; and not-for-profit organizations and clients throughout U.S. EPA Region 5. The GLEFC continues to provide support to the Federal Executive Board of Northeast Ohio in facilitating an intergovernmental (federal, state, and local) collaboration on brownfield finance and redevelopment, now on a state-wide basis. The GLEFC is working with the U.S. EPA Region 5 Brownfields Office to assist in initiating regional brownfield collaboration in Indiana. The GLEFC is also working on externally funded, multi- stage, and multi-client projects on a broad array of environmental public policy initiatives. In addition, the GLEFC is engaged in policy related work with the committees of the U.S. EPA's Environmental Finance Advisory Board, developing strategies for the efficient and effective management and financing of water and waste water utilities. REGION 5 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN The GLEFC year 2004 program included: Brownfields Technical Assistance: Brownfields One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) Forum. The GLEFC is in its fourth year of convening the forum of federal, state, and local government economic development and environmental officials, commercial and investment bankers, insurance executives, foundation officials, and developers to review brownfield redevelopment projects seeking financial and programmatic support. In 2004, the GLEFC merged the BOSS Forum with the Ohio Brownfield Finance Partnership convened by the Ohio Water Development Authority. The GLEFC moved the site of the Forum meetings to capitalize on the emerging state-wide market for brownfield redevelopment projects. The GLEFC convened three meetings on April 1st, July 8th, and October 17th with over 120 attendees representing public, private, and not-for-profit organizations. The Forum brownfield project presentations included: April 1st: th. Middlebury Market Place Project in Akron SPECO-Kelsey Hays Site in Springfield Dayton Electroplate Site in Dayton July 8 Kemper Road Project, Greater Cincinnati Development Authority South Euclid Project in South Euclid October 7th: Abandoned Gas Station Revitalization Program and Voluntary Corrective Action Rule: Ohio Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulation The BOSS Forum has served to bring together seemingly disparate audiences of engineers, lawyers, commercial and investment bankers, public agencies, and private and not-for-profit developers to assist local brownfield redevelopment efforts in securing financial and technical assistance to elevate the viability of the projects. REGION 5 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN Brownfield Technical Assistance, U.S. EPA. The GLEFC provided technical assistance on brownfield remediation and redevelopment projects at the request of the U.S. EPA Region 5 Brownfields staff, including: o Brownfield Support for Small Communities, Indiana Small Communities Forum, Logansport, Indiana: The GLEFC and the U.S. EPA, Region 5 continue to provide technical assistance to a consortium of small communities in Indiana to assist in accessing funding and program support for brownfield remediation and redevelopment. o Appalachian Brownfield Support Initiative, Clean Ohio Remediation Fund: The GLEFC continues to assist the Clean Ohio program and the Ohio Department of Development in building a level of capacity in rural southeast Ohio to apply for and access brownfield assessment and remediation grants. The GLEFC conducted a phone survey for Buckeye Hills Development Corporation to increase participation in Clean Ohio application process; conducted site visits of potential brownfield assessment and redevelopment projects in New Lexington, Meigs County, and Marietta, Ohio. o Brownfield Program and Funding Strategy, St. Claire -Superior Neighborhood Corporation: The GLEFC provided technical assistance and strategy development support to a Cleveland-based neighborhood organization on accessing federal, state and local brownfield site assessment and remediation/redevelopment funding. Industrial Land Bank Strategy and Business Plan, City of Cleveland: Development of a strategy and business plan for an industrial land bank to acquire and assemble larger landscapes of property for economic Development purposes. The industrial land bank will also be utilized to acquire some environmentally contaminated properties (of strategic importance) to clean and accumulate into large marketable properties. The GLEFC is facilitating the development of the strategy and assembly of decision rules to guide the acquisition and disbursal of properties with the Mayor's cabinet. The GLEFC project staff is conducting a best practices study to determine the most effective administrative structure and operations. REGION 5 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN Cuyahoga County Brownfield Assessment Grants Strategy and Process, Cuyahoga County Department of Economic Development: The GLEFC facilitated a strategy development session with the staff of the Cuyahoga County brownfield redevelopment staff to assist in defining the criteria for the selection of environmental engineering firms to conduct grant funded brownfield site assessments. Brownfield Assessment Grant Strategy, Northeast Ohio Soil and Water Conservation District: The GLEFC facilitated a process for defining the program strategy and decision rules for selecting (environmental engineering) contractors to conduct grant funded brownfield site assessments. All Appropriate Inquiry Sarbanes-Oxley Presentation, National Brownfields Association Conference, Toledo, Ohio: Kirstin Toth presented the status of the All Appropriate Inquiry/Sarbanes Oxley at a regional conference of the National Brownfields Association. Brownfield News, Editorial Board. EFC Director Kevin O'Brien serves on the Editorial Board of the Brownfield News magazine, as the brownfield finance editor. Finance and Policy Research and Technical Assistance Ohio Land Fill Market and Cost Structure Study, Ohio Department of Development. The GLEFC conducted market and cost structure analysis of land-fill fees in Ohio to aid the Clean Ohio Council in developing performance measures to assist in modeling the land fill component of brownfield remediation grant applications. Capital Contracting in 2003, Build Up Greater Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Growth Association. The GLEFC conducted an analysis of the capital contracting and planning by greater Cleveland infrastructure agencies in calendar year 2003. Conducted in January 2004, the retrospective analysis of capital funding attracted serves as information and data to support the annual strategy of the public - private partnership for infrastructure advocacy. Useful Life Financing of Water Facilities: Useful Life Workgroup, U.S. EPA Environmental Finance Advisory Board (EFAB): The GLEFC contributed to the EFAB Workgroup concerned with exploring strategies for REGION 5 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN creating new revenue flows and linking the amortization of debt to the useful life of the capital installation being financed. The final report was issued in Fall 2004. Program Development and Evaluation Clean Ohio Brownfield Remediation Grant Program, Year One Program Evaluation, Delta Institute. The GLEFC is partnering with the Chicago based Delta Institute to conduct an evaluation of the first year of operation of the Clean Ohio Brownfield Remediation grant program. The evaluation, initiated during fall 2004, is expected to be completed by summer 2005. Best Practices in Financing Lead Abatement: Cuyahoga County Department of Health, City of Cleveland Department of Health, U.S. EPA Region 5, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Centers for Disease Control. At the request of the U.S. EPA Region 5 office, the GLEFC initiated a national best practices scan to identify innovation in financing of lead remediation and abatement programs. The best practice scan is being conducted for a consortium of local and federal agencies. Strategic Plan for Coastal Resources Management Training: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Ohio Sea Grant College Program: The GLEFC concluded the third component of a three-year (three segment) project that assessed the need and market for coastal resources management training needs in the Lake Erie Basin in Ohio. The final phase, conducted in 2004, facilitated the development of a strategic plan for delivery of training services. The GLEFC competitively bid for the externally funded strategic planning project. National Scan of Coastal Resources Management Training Strategies of NOAA Affiliated National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs), U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: The GLEFC conducted a review of the Coastal Resources Management Training program strategies of the 26 National Estuarine Research Reserves. The GLEFC reviewed the strategic plans of the NERRS programs to define the common strategies in coastal training programs. The GLEFC competitively bid for the externally funded NOAA project. REGION 5 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN Needs Assessment and Market Analysis of Coastal Training Needs, Apalachicola (Florida) National Estuarine Research Reserve: The GLEFC conducted an assessment of the need for coastal resource management training programs in the panhandle watershed region surrounding the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERRs). The GLEFC coordinated the project through the Region 4 EFC in North Carolina. The GLEFC also conducted an analysis of the market for coastal resource management training in the Apalachicola watershed. The GLEFC competitively bid for the externally funded Apalachicola NERRs project. Brownfields Seminars/Training Brownfield Redevelopment: Nuts and Bolts Finance Seminar, U.S. HUD and U.S. EPA, Chicago, Illinois, June, 2004. The GLEFC conducted a two-day brownfield finance seminar as a part of the U.S. EPA and HUD annual seminar in Chicago for local government officials. The GLEFC developed and utilized 3 case studies in the workshop to train the 42 participants on steps in determining the redevelopment viability of a brownfield site, how to develop a pro forma/redevelopment financial plan, and how and where to seek financing for the redevelopment. The GLEFC partnered with John Magill of the Ohio Department of Development and the Clean Ohio Remediation Fund. Healthy Homes National Conference, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. EPA, and the Centers for Disease Control At the request of the U.S. EPA Region 5 office, the GLEFC facilitated the development of a national conference strategy/program for the joint EPA/FIUD/CDC Healthy Homes National Conference in Orlando, Florida. The Conference, convened in June, 2004, was utilized to exchange strategies on the identification and remediation of lead contaminated residential properties. Capital Planning and Finance Michigan AWWA and Michigan Water Environment Association 2004 Joint Conference. The GLEFC presented a session on the "Strategic Management of Water and Waste Water Utilities While Complying with GASB Statement No. 34" at the annual conference of the Michigan AWWA/Water Environment Association in Grand Rapids Michigan in August, 2004. REGION 5 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN Utilizing Asset Management Systems to Facilitate Private Economic Growth in Croatia, U.S. Agency for International Development The GLEFC in collaboration with the Cleveland State University-based Unger Croatia Center for Local Government Leadership is developing a university curriculum (for graduate classes and professional continuing education training for government officials) for the portfolio management of publically owned physical assets to facilitate private economic growth. EFC Director Kevin O'Brien traveled to Zagreb and Rijeka, Croatia to interview academics, public managers, and economic and finance ministers of Croatia on the need and substance of asset management. Brownfield 2004 Conference. The GLEFC participated in the U.S. EPA sponsored Brownfields 2004 Conference in St. Louis, Mo. Finance and Policy Seminars/Workshops Environmental Finance in the Great Lakes Region seminars for the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. The GLEFC has conducted environmental finance seminars for U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. Information Agency sponsored trips for foreign officials and academics. The seminars included the following participants: o Ukrainian Public Officials o South American Public and Private Sector Leaders CapFinance Training. The GLEFC partnered with the Boise State University EFC and the Ohio office of RCAP to conduct training sessions in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio for small and medium sized local governments on the capital planning and financing software package developed by the Boise State EFC. The GLEFC provided a presentation on GLEFC Asset Management and GASB 34 Compliance or "How Does CAPFinance Assist Your City in Managing Infrastructure'". In addition, the GLEFC partnered with Boise State to present the CAPFinance Model and GASB Statement No. 34 update to the annual Convention of the Ohio Water Environment Association in Columbus, Ohio. Nuts and Bolts of Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Seminar: Co- sponsored by the U.S. EPA Region 5 Brownfields Office and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The GLEFC plans and conducts the State and Local Sources of Brownfield Funding annual seminar offered in Chicago. The GLEFC developed case studies that profiled REGION 5 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EFGN specific brownfield redevelopment projects in cities with a size, scale, and scope that was appropriate for the audience. The week-long training session was developed the GLEFC and focused on brownfield redevelopment pro- forma, defining the financing alternatives available. PUBLICATIONS The GLEFC has been active in publishing academic and applied articles and book chapters resulting from the applied research, technical assistance, and policy projects undertaken in 2004. Those articles published from 2004 work include: Hill, Edward, W, and B.Geyer, K. O'Brien, et.al. "Slanted Pavement: How Ohio's Highway Spending Shortchanges Cities and Suburbs." In Taking the High Road: A Metropolitan Agenda for Transportation Reform, edited by Bruce Katz and Rob Puentes. Brookings Institution Press, Washington, D.C. publication pending. Kellogg, Wendy A. and Kevin O'Brien, Claudette Robey, et.al. "Assessing Coastal Resources Management Training Needs'' Coastal Management, Publication Pending. Kellogg, Wendy A. and Kevin O'Brien, Claudette Robey, et.al. "The Current Coastal Management Training Market in Ohio's Lake Erie Basin." Coastal Management, July - September, 2004. NEW INITIATIVES FOR 2005 The GLEFC will pursue both continuing and new initiatives in 2005, in the policy areas of brownfields and sustainable futures. The GLEFC will continue to convene Brownfield One Stop Shop (BOSS) Forum and to expand the program to assist small and medium sized cities in Ohio. The GLEFC will continue to work on brownfield related activities through the U.S. EPA, Region V office. The GLEFC will continue to work with the U.S. EPA Region 5 Brownfields Office to provide brownfield technical assistance to cities throughout the Region. REGION 5 ------- CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY EFC The GLEFC will continue to pursue contracts with NOAA and its National Estuarine Research Reserves to continue to build on the expertise developed through the coastal resources management training projects. NETWORK COLLABORATION CAPFinance. The GLEFC continues to collaborate with the Boise State University EFC to provide training to drinking water and water treatment utilities on the use of CAPFinance, the capital asset management system. The GLEFC will continue to work with the members of the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN) as collaborative projects emerge. PRESENTATIONS, CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS The GLEFC will continue to make presentations in national, state-wide, regional, and local professional/industry trade groups and organizations on environmental finance related topics. The organizations include the Council of Infrastructure Finance Authorities, Government Finance Officers Association, National League of Cities, Municipal Leagues, national brownfields conferences, Build Up Greater Cleveland, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and U.S. EPA Region 5. RESULTS The Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center continues to provide financial outreach assistance to state agencies and local communities and not-for-profit organizations on environmental compliance and sustainable strategies. The continued growth in the annual GLEFC program and the expanding partnerships with national, state, and local entities provides evidence of the impact of the organization. REGION 5 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EF©N New Mexico Tech Environmental Finance Center 2004 Annual Report of the Environmental Finance Center Network Region 6 - EFC at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology The New Mexico EFC was established in 1992 as the first Environmental Finance Center INTRODUCTION The Environmental Finance Center serving EPA Region 6 (NM EFC) completed its first full year as a program of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) in 2004. The NM EFC experienced a significant growth in both staff and program activities in 2004. Three new full-time staff members were hired, bringing the total staff to 9. The NM EFC's core mission is to help state, local, and tribal governments meet environmental infrastructure needs and regulatory compliance through state and local capacity building and technical information transfer. Capacity building includes enhancing technical, managerial, and financial capabilities to achieve consistent and sustainable regulatory compliance and to develop sustainable infrastructure. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EFGN The NM EFC assists in local capacity building by: Examining alternative approaches to meeting regulatory compliance or environmental infrastructure needs Empowering communities to act as the "drivers" for their own projects Assisting with procuring professional services Presenting funding alternatives Acting as a bridge between federal, state, local and tribal governments Presenting neutral analyses of issues or projects Gathering stakeholder input The NM EFC has been extremely active over the past year and has experienced significant growth in its program activities. The major projects that were active or completed in 2004 include the following. Each of these activities is described in more detail below. Capacity Development Activities for Region 6 states Capacity Development Program for New Mexico Capacity Development for Tribal Water Systems Tribal Operator Certification Program Pilot Project: Feasibility Analysis of Water Supply for Small Public Water Systems Resource-Based or Unified Source Water Protection Project Independent Analysis of FCS Leak Detection Technology for Albuquerque Water System Collaboration Pilot Project for New Mexico Water System Collaboration Project for New Mexico Public Management Finance Program ACCOMPLISHMENTS Capacity Development Activities for Region 6 States During 2004, the EFC continued to assist the EPA Region 6 states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas with the implementation activities associated with capacity development strategies, as required under the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) amendments. This work included activities in three different categories as described below. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC -s- EF©N Technical Information Gathering and Transfer The EFC attended workshops and conferences to present papers, interact with states and technical experts, and gather information on techniques, approaches, and tools that could be used by the states. The types of workshops included asset management, capacity development, drought management, and water conservation. Capacity Development Implementation Assistance to Region 6 States The NM EFC worked with the EPA Region 6 states on capacity development assistance, including extensive discussions with the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) on ways to improve their capacity development program, particularly in capacity assessments, prioritization of water systems, and potential water system assistance. These discussions lead to a bigger effort under a separate contract with NMED. In addition, the NM EFC has been working with New Mexico state funding agencies on a coordinated funding effort. In Texas, the NM EFC has held phone calls and been in meetings with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to share information regarding capacity activities in other states. In addition, the NM EFC also worked with TCEQ on a project involving non-compliant small water systems under a separate contract. In Arkansas, the NM EFC has been discussing the possibility of creating a capacity development training for Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) staff. This training will be an interactive program that will include classroom lecture and hands-on activities. In Louisiana, the NM EFC participated in the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DOHH) Water Quality Technology Conference and held meetings with the state on capacity development issues. In Oklahoma, the NM EFC met with capacity development staff from the Department of Environmental Quality at the capacity development conference to discuss capacity issues. EFC Network Assistance The NM EFC works with the other Centers in the Network on projects, answering questions, providing information, or anything else needed. The NM EFC also REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EFGN attends the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) meetings twice a year as well as the EFC Director's meetings. Capacity Development Program Assistance for New Mexico Environment Department In 2004, the NM EFC received a contract from the NM Environment Department (NMED) to assist with revisions to the NM capacity development program. The revisions cover three main areas: a) revised capacity assessment procedures, b) new prioritization program, and c) training of NMED staff. The NM EFC developed a three tiered approach to capacity assessment. The systems are prioritized into the tiers based on factors such as: compliance history, customer complaints, requests for funding, drought concerns, or other known problems or issues with the systems. The systems with the greatest concerns are placed in Tier 1, those with minimal concerns are placed in Tier 2, and systems with no known concerns are placed in Tier 3. The assessment process is then geared to the need to have information. Systems in Tier 1 require a significant amount of information, so they receive a very in-depth assessment process that requires interviews and multiple days to complete. Tier 2 is a questionnaire that takes approximately 2 hours to complete and Tier 3 is a short questionnaire that takes about 30 minutes over the phone to complete. The NM EFC will be conducting approximately 250 assessments during this contract. The new prioritization process will involve gathering data from Safe Drinking Water Information Systems, the capacity assessments, and other sources to determine which systems have a need for funding and where they should be ranked on the priority list. The final component of the project is to train NMED field staff to take over the assessment process. The training will also involve managerial and financial capacity in general. Strengthening Public Health Protection Through the Multiple Barrier Concept In 2004, the NM EFC continued its efforts to assist Tribal water systems in improving public health protection. The NM EFC continued to frame the assistance in terms of maximizing the use of each of the barriers - source, treatment, and distribution. Water system managers and operators need to make effective use of each of these barriers to prevent contamination from entering the system or reaching the customers. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC -s- EF©N One of the measurements of the overall effectiveness of the program is the compliance record of the Tribal water systems. The NM EFC and EPA Region 6 developed a graph that plots the number of Total Coliform Rule violations by month. The trend line of this graph is clearly downward and continues to improve each year. There continues to be spikes in the number of violations in the summer months, but the peaks are decreasing each year. The NM EFC plans to provide assistance and training to the water systems to continue to reduce the summer peaks. The graph below shows the compliance trends from 2000 through 2004. g EPA Region 6 Tribal Public Water System TCR Compliance Trends October 2000 - December 2004 A summary of the various activities of the NM EFC in assisting Tribal water systems is presented below. Compliance Monitoring and Technical Assistance: The NM EFC coordinates the sampling required under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The NM EFC also assists with the development of Consumer Confidence Reports, Total Coliform Rule compliance and sampling plans, and operation and maintenance support and troubleshooting. Managerial and Financial Capacity Building: The NM EFC assists tribes with utility ordinances and by-laws and rate setting and budgeting. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EFGN Public Education and Outreach: The NM EFC assists with the development of educational display boards, brochures, pamphlets or handouts and participates in community events, such as environmental, health, and water fairs. Information Management Activities: The NM EFC gathers information for EPA Region 6 regarding system inventories, new system information, populations, system classification, and other necessary information. Under these broad headings, the EFC has provided a wide array of assistance including: promoting the development of utility boards, setting utility rates, developing public education campaigns on the need to charge for water, assisting with sampling and analysis, sharing information regarding potential funding sources, providing training classes, helping with preparation of Consumer Confidence Reports, and many others. A particular focus of this year's program was to reduce the occurrences of "summer hits." During the warmer summer months, the number of Total Coliform hits generally increases. The EFC is offering training and assistance to try to reduce these occurrences. "Beyond Compliance Program" The fact that the compliance situation has improved dramatically over the past 5 years has provided the opportunity to move the assistance activities to the next level. The NM EFC has now fully implemented its "beyond compliance" program to encourage tribes to make improvements beyond simply doing the minimum to meet compliance. These efforts are aimed at optimizing water system operation. Activities in this area include the following: Multiple Barrier Evaluations and Associated Training: Multiple Barrier Evaluation training is similar to sanitary survey training, but it is presented from an operator focus, rather than a regulatory focus. It is intended to present the "big picture" to operators and to help them understand the reason why sanitary deficiencies are a problem. In addition to the training, the NM EFC performs Multiple Barrier Evaluations (MBEs) on water systems. These MBEs are voluntary and identify potential health and safety concerns with the water systems. A report is presented to the system, describing the potential concerns along with a picture and an explanation of why it is an issue. Groundwater Comprehensive Performance Evaluations: Groundwater Comprehensive Performance Evaluations (CPEs) provide a snapshot picture of whether or not a water system is fully optimized in all three barriers (source, treatment, distribution) and provides an indication of what factors are preventing the system from being fully optimized if it is not meeting all of the optimization goals. In the upcoming year, the NM EFC intends to link the MBEs with CPEs for a more comprehensive approach. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EF©N Performance Based Training: For the past 18 months the NM EFC has been working with Process Applications, Inc. and EPA Region 6 on Performance Based Training (PBT). This training is intended to provide water operators with the skills necessary to conduct water system studies, troubleshoot problems, collect and analyze water quality data, and communicate more effectively with management. Six Pueblos participated in the program. Participants Presenting Homework Participants Conducting Field Test Learning Pump Calibration Tribal Operator Certification Program In January 2003, the NM EFC gave its first Region 6 Tribal Water Operators Certification Exam. Since that time, the EFC has been providing Operator Certification Exams approximately every quarter (in some cases additional exams were given to meet tribal operator needs.) In the past year, eleven operators have received certification and one operator has applied for and received reciprocity. This program is only open to operators of tribal drinking water systems in EPA Region 6. In addition to the Operator Certification Exams, the Tribal Operator Certification Program includes three other activities which are described in more detail below. Tribal Utility Advisory Committee: As part of the initial development of the Operator Certification Program, the NM EFC formed a Tribal Utility Advisory Committee (TUAC). Membership was open to all Tribes and Pueblos in Region 6. After the completion and approval of the Operator Certification Guidelines, the TUAC is now focused on review of the training program, modifications to the guidelines, proposals for future activities, and the annual review of the program. Pathway to Certification Training: The NM EFC led a class of 17 water operators through a year long training program to prepare them to take the Level 1 operator certification test. The classes were held approximately every 3 weeks and included lecture, field activities, homework assignments, and reading assignments. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EFGN Classroom Session Field Activity Newly Certified "Pathways" Participant Gap Certification Training: The NM EFC provides training opportunities for Tribal water operators to fill voids or needs that are not being met by other training providers. The topics for these classes are suggested by Tribal operators through surveys, based on responses provided on evaluation forms for other EFC trainings, suggestions of the TUAC, or based on observed needs. During 2004, the EFC held gap trainings on the Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations, Disinfection, Sampling, and Total Coliform Rule Compliance. Resource-Based or Unified Source Water Protection Project The EFC Network completed its Resource-Based Unified Source Water Protection Project in June of 2004. As the lead EFC for this project, the NM EFC worked with the EFCs in Maryland, North Carolina, Boise State and New York, to develop resource- based or unified source water protection plans for clusters of communities in 8 different states. This project involved assistance in the following: the development of a source water protection group, the examination of potential sources of contamination, determining appropriate source water protection measures that may minimize or eliminate contamination concerns, preparing a unified source water protection plan, and implementing the plan. The EFCs facilitated stakeholder meetings and provided technical information transfer. The eight states involved in the EFC project include: New York, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon. The NM EFC conducted the projects in Texas and Colorado. The Texas project includes water systems around Lake Meredith. This lake is operated by the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) and Lake Meredith and Boat Marina REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EF©N supplies water to Amarillo and Lubbock and 9 other communities. The major concerns for source water protection on this project include: oil drilling and exploration, ranching, recreational uses of the lake, and septic systems around the lake. The project in Colorado focused on the systems that pull water out of the Boulder Feeder Canal. This open canal supplies water to the City of Boulder and a few smaller towns nearby. The open canal is exposed to runoff from agricultural and residential areas as well as recreational impacts. There is a proposal to increase the recreation in this area that in turn would increase the potential for source water impacts. This issue was a main focus of the source water protection project. GPS location of potential source of contamination Independent Analysis of FCS Leak Detection Technology for Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority has received a grant from the Governor's Innovative Fund to investigate a proactive leak detection technology. This technology is being installed and operated by FCS Services. The approach involves installing data loggers (pictured below) on top of meters within the water system. The data loggers listen for leaks in the middle of the night to determine if there is a potential leak in the system. If there is a leak, the units Permaloe Data Collection patroller is used to pick up the alarm signals at the various units placed within the system. A correlator can then be used to determine the location of the leak within the pipe. The intent is to capture information regarding leaks that the system operations staff may be unaware of. The theory is that not all leaks will surface; some leaks will remain below ground level and can leak for a long time before detection. With a more proactive approach to leak detection, it is hoped that more leaks can be found and that the unaccounted for water losses can be reduced. The EFC's role in this project is two fold: 1) to investigate the economics of using the FCS technology within the system to improve overall asset management and water conservation in the system, and 2) to investigate 5 years worth of leak data (FY 00 to FY 04) to provide a more complete picture of the current leak situation within the system. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EFGN The first portion of this study is similar to work that the EFC did for the City of Albuquerque when it was investigating a non-destructive pipe evaluation technology. The second portion also builds upon previous work of the EFC when it analyzed 5 years worth of leak data and provided a profile of leakage within the City water system. This project should be completed within 2005. Pilot Project: Feasibilty Analysis of Water Supply for Small Public Water Systems Under a subcontract with Parsons Infrastructure and Technology Group, Inc., the NM EFC participated in a pilot project to identify and analyze alternatives for small drinking water systems that are not in compliance with drinking water regulations. The particular role the NM EFC had in this effort was to evaluate the capacity of three small groundwater systems in the Wichita Falls area of Texas. In addition, the NM EFC assisted in the evaluation of the financial condition of the water systems. This project was completed between July and October of 2004. Water System Collaboration Pilot Project for New Mexico The NM EFC received a contract from the NM Department of Finance and Administration to work with three groups of water systems within the state to determine if these systems would agree to any type of collaboration. This collaboration could include water resource planning, drought management, water conservation, managerial sharing, sharing of operators, sharing of water rights or supply or many other possible ideas. The collaboration was open to whatever the group wanted it to be. The NM EFC teamed up with Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and New Mexico Rural Water (NMRWA) to complete this project. In addition, several state agencies formed a management team to assist with direction for the project, including: Office of State Engineer, Local Government Division, New Mexico Environment Department, and New Mexico Finance Authority. The areas chosen for the pilot project included: El Rito in north central New Mexico, Carlsbad area in southeastern New Mexico, and northern Dona Ana County in south central New Mexico. The El Rito group signed an agreement to work together and is in the process of dissolving the separate systems and becoming one entity. They are also working on sharing water rights and supply. In Carlsbad area, Eddy County decided that the project should be expanded to include all water systems in the County and received a large grant to conduct a planning study for the entire County. In Dona Ana County, the systems have decided to work on their wastewater issues first, so the water collaboration was put on hold pending the completion of the wastewater project. This project was completed in June 2004. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EF©N Water System Collaboration Pilot Project for New Mexico As a follow-on to the pilot project discussed above, the NM EFC received a second contract to assist an additional 10 clusters of water systems with collaborative efforts. The groups are spread out in New Mexico and range in size from approximately 5 water systems to more than 40 water systems. The issues vary significantly from group to group as well as the reason why the group has an interest in collaboration. This project involves the same partners as the Pilot (RCAC and NM RWA) and the same state management committee. This is a major new initiative within the state to provide insight into potentially better ways to plan for water supply, reduce water demand, fund water system improvements, and manager or operate water systems, particularly smaller water systems. This project began in August 2004 and will be completed in June 2005. Public Management and Finance Program (PMFP) For the past several years, the NM EFC has collaborated with the Syracuse EFC on the Public Management and Finance Program. This program uses an approach that works very well with small systems and is one that the NM EFC believes would benefit NM communities. The EFC strongly desires to bring this program to the New Mexico and Region 6. Thus far, the NM EFC's participation in the Syracuse EFC events is intended to provide several benefits: 1) demonstrate the collaborative ability of the individual centers, 2) build the skills of the NM EFC to be able to bring this project to NM, and 3) share expertise gained in Region 6 with Region 2 and vice versa. This past year, the NM EFC participated in the March PMFP event in Minnowbrook, New York. The NM EFC presented a workshop on asset management and participated in the community simulations. In addition, the Syracuse EFC Director traveled to New Mexico to help present the concept of the PMFP program to New Mexico officials. The PMFP offers hands-on technical assistance to rural communities through the development of teams of technical assistance providers. At the March 2004 PMFP event, the teams were composed of representatives from accomplished nonprofit, academic, government, and private organizations that have established histories in providing technical assistance to rural communities. These organizations were brought together to provide information, technical assistance and support to small communities in need of assistance, particularly in the area of water and wastewater infrastructure. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EFGN NEW INITIATIVES FOR 2004 The new initiatives for the NM EFC are highlighted below. These initiatives build upon the work efforts of the NM EFC for the past several years. Advanced Asset Management The NM EFC embarked on a new initiative to assist with the promotion and implementation of advanced asset management for smaller water systems. Advanced Asset Management is included as one of EPA's key elements in its approach to addressing the Infrastructure "Gap." The Gap is the amount of money needed to address the Nation's infrastructure needs minus the current available funding. Advanced Asset Management is an approach designed to optimize a water or wastewater system's infrastructure management. It includes strategies to establish the optimal point of infrastructure replacement and when to determine whether a system is financially better off with rehabilitation or repair. The development and implementation of Advanced Asset Management strategies for water systems will help reduce overall life cycle costs and help decrease the financing gap. Much of the information provided thus far is geared to larger water utilities. There is a need to provide an approach for smaller water systems. A goal of the NM EFC is to develop a strategy for Advanced Asset Management for smaller water systems. Arsenic Pilot Project The NM EFC will be working with a Tribal water system to test a new technology for Arsenic removal. This pilot project will be fully funded by the supplier and will be sampled weekly to determine the effectiveness. This project is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2005. Public Management Finance Program (PMFP) The NM EFC has been working with the Syracuse EFC to try to bring the PMFP concept to the State of New Mexico. The efforts over the past few years have not been successful, but the NM EFC has been able to conduct some small PMFP-like events. The NM EFC will be working with the Syracuse EFC and the NM Rural Development office to try to bring this very important program to the state and the region in 2005. REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EFGN EFC NETWORK COLLABORATIONS The NM EFC has collaborated with other EFCs this past year on a variety of projects and proposals. Those collaborations are listed below. Project Public Management Financing Program Resource Based Source Water Protection Rate Setting Water System Security Proposal EFCs Included in Collaboration Syracuse EFC (lead), EFC9, EFC0UNC, Maine EFC, UNM EFC UNM EFC (lead), Syracuse EFC, Maryland, Boise State EFC, and EFC@UNC Syracuse EFC, Maryland EFC NM EFC (lead), Syracuse EFC, Boise State EFC, EFC0UNC, Louisville EFC, Maryland EFC, EFC9 CONFERENCES Name of Conference Advanced Asset Management Workshop Environmental Financial Advisory Board Meeting Environmental Finance Center Network Directors Meeting Public Management Finance Program Workshop IHS Annual Workshop Tribal Drinking Water Intensive, EPA Region 9 Unified Source Water Protection Meeting/Workshop EPA Capacity Development Conference Environmental Financial Advisory Board Meeting EFC Network Directors Meeting EFAB Affordability Date and Location January 28 - 29, 2004 San Antonio, TX March 9- 10,2004 Washington, D.C. March 10 -11, 2004 Washington, D.C. March 1 - 2, 2004 Minnowbrook, NY March 4, 2004 Durango, CO May 5-6, 2004 Reno, NV June 24, 2004 Washington, D.C. July 20 - 22, 2004 Denver, CO August 16-17, 2004 San Francisco, CA August 17, 2004 San Francisco, CA August 18, 2004 EFC Involvement Participated in the Conference Participated in Board Meeting Participated in Meeting Presented Session at Workshop Made Presentation and Participated in Workshop Presented Workshop Participated in Workshop, Made Presentation on EFCN Project Made Presentation and Participated in Workshop Participated in Board Meeting Participated in Meeting Participated in Workshop REGION 6 ------- NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY EFC EFGN Name of Conference Workshop New Mexico Drought Summit 2004 Association of Drinking Water Administrators Annual Conference Council of Infrastructure Financing Agencies Annual Conference 2004 New Mexico Data User Conference Date and Location San Francisco, CA September 27 - 28, 2004 Albuquerque, New Mexico October 4-6, 2004 Austin, TX November 8 - 9, 2004 San Diego, CA November 17,2004 Albuquerque, New Mexico EFC Involvement Attended Summit Made Presentation, Participated in Conference EFC Participated in Conference Attended Conference REGION 6 ------- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD ERJN 2004 Annual Report of the Environmental Finance Center Network Region 9 - EFC at California State University at Hay ward The EFC at California State University focuses on Small Business and Green Products INTRODUCTION The Environmental Finance Center located in Region 9 (EFC9) at California State University, Hayward is a university-based EFC working for greener communities through cleaner business by advancing the environmental industry and promoting pollution prevention and source reduction. Our mission is three-pronged: REGION 9 ------- * CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFGN 1. To encourage business to adopt source reduction and pollution prevention, 2. To encourage consumers to choose green business and green business products, 3. To help communities promote cleaner business. To that end, working with both the private and public sectors, EFC9 pursues its mission through numerous tools including: Green business development, Environmental mediation, Environmental business incubation, Finance programs & directories, Charrettes, conferences & workshops, Research publications and reports, and Hands-on assistance to small business. Throughout the past year EFC9 has continued to work with both the public and private sectors to promote cleaner business. After laying the groundwork for several new initiatives in 2003, EFC9 has accomplished much in 2004 on the following projects. Western States Green Business Program Coordination Business and Environment in Hawaii Environmentally Beneficial Behavior in Television Phoenix Arizona Brickyard Charrette Region IX Tribal Initiative Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network Conference Workshops and Sessions ACCOMPLISHMENTS Western States Green Business Program Coordination Overview A Green Business Program (GBP) recognizes businesses and in some cases government agencies and non-profit organizations that operate in an environmentally responsible manner. It is a voluntary program in which the GBP certifies applicants who comply with federal, state and local environmental regulations as well as undertake additional multimedia measures to conserve REGION 9 ------- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EF@N energy, water and other resources, and institutionalize the process of reducing pollution and waste. The Bay Area Green Business Program was launched in 1996, and since that time six participating counties have certified over 500 businesses. As the Bay Area GBP has grown, other counties and states have taken note, and there is now broad interest in implementing Green Business Programs throughout Region IX. In 2002, both the states of Hawaii and Arizona launched GBPs and in California, a number of counties are pursuing programs including, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz/Monterey, Sacramento, and San Diego. While an increase in Green Business Programs is highly desirable, rapid implementation without consistency across all jurisdictions is not. Simply put, it is imperative now that the concept is spreading, that "Green Business" carries the same standards and meaning throughout the four-state region. In response to this concern, EPA Region IX requested EFC9's assistance in coordinating Green Business Program efforts throughout the Region to ensure continuity within individual programs. To achieve this goal, starting in 2003, EFC9 was named the Western States Green Business Program Coordinator. Our role is to promote, develop and institutionalize multimedia pollution prevention and resource conservation in Region 9 businesses while ensuring consistent growth and continuity for regional Green Business Programs. Briefly, in our role as Western States Green Business Coordinator, EFC9 has helped accomplish the following in 2004. Two additional county GBPs, Sacramento and San Francisco, have been launched. EFC9 is working with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and State Senator Alarcon's office to formally codify California Green Business Program standards. EFC9 worked with the City of Los Angeles to begin exploring the possibility of a Green Business Program. More specifically, EFC9 has accomplished the following goals in the past year. Promoting and Coordinating Green Business Programs Region-Wide EFC9 has provided basic information and presentations on the GBP throughout the Region. EFC9 has developed a standard Powerpoint presentation that promotes the REGION 9 ------- * CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFGN Green Business Program concept generally but also identifies Bay Area GBP standards as the guideline and baseline from which all new GBPs will be expected to develop. Some of the counties and cities EFC9 has worked with include Humboldt County, Ventura County and the City of Los Angeles. EFC9 has also maintained and updated our Green Business Recognition Program Clearinghouse website, which includes program descriptions and guidance, checklists, and links to technical and other resources. Assisting New and Existing Green Business Programs EFC9 has continued to help new and existing GBPs. For example, the EFC provided guidance and a full presentation to the City of Los Angeles, and helped Ventura County better define their guidelines. As a result, EFC9 gained assurances from these three emerging programs in LA, Ventura and Humboldt, that they will follow the basic standards set forth by the Bay Area Green Business Program. In addition, EFC9 has worked with the Association of Bay Area Governments (AB AG) and US EPA to better define measurement standards for the GBP. For the future, EFC9 will continue to supply technical assistance to all GBPs where requested, including: assisting with understanding and development of universal measurement methods and preparing green purchasing guides for select industries participating in the Green Business Program. Developing a Regional Approach to Green Business As the number of GBPs grows there is a pressing need to coordinate these programs so that the Green Business Program certification will not be diluted. EFC9 has spoken with all program coordinators and there is broad agreement that a coordinator's summit should be held in early 2005 with a follow-up summit scheduled for late 2005. In addition, the bulk of EFC9's work in the past year has been devoted to educating State Senator Richard Alarcon on Green Business standards so that his office could develop California Certified Green Business Legislation. Should it pass, this legislation will establish Bay Area GBP standards as the general standards for all Programs throughout the state. As the Western States GBP coordinator, EFC9 has been working with ABAG (the Bay Area GBP Coordinator) to help the Senator better understand the Program and how it works. In 2005, EFC will continue to work with the Senator and the State legislature to help ensure that the California Green Business Program is developed along the Bay Area model. REGION 9 ------- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EF@N Providing Funding Opportunities for Emerging Programs In 2004, EFC9 worked with two emerging programs: San Francisco and Sacramento. Each of these new GBPs agreed to adopt Bay Area Green Business Program standards and to work with other GBP coordinators throughout the State and Region to ensure continuity and harmony. San Francisco. The San Francisco Green Business Program (SFGBP) was launched in early January, 2004 by a network of city and county agencies including the Department of Public Health, the Department of the Environment, and the Public Utilities Commission. The SFGBP is housed in the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The SFGBP plans to offer GBP services to a wide range of industries including auto repair, food service, graphic design, and dry cleaning. The SFGBP has 11 companies that have submitted applications for certification including the San Francisco Chronicle, New College of San Francisco, and Jardinaire, one of the City's top French restaurants. Other companies that have expressed interest include Lucas Films, KQED and the Blue and Gold Fleet. Sacramento. Sacramento also launched their program in early 2004 and they are sponsored by the Sacramento County Department of Economic Development and the Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC). BERC was established in 1993 as a one-stop, non- regulatory Permit Assistance Center to help Sacramento County Businesses understand and comply with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. The Sacramento Area Green Business Program has recently announced the certification of its first two Green Businesses: Sacramento County's General Services Fleet Services Florin Garage and Marconi Garage. Business and Environment in Hawaii EFC9 has been working with two agencies in Hawaii to assist them with their Green Business efforts, the Hawaii Green Business Program and the Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism. Hawaii's primary focus has been on hotels with an emphasis on waste reduction and water conservation. In early 2003, the Green Business Program and the Department of Economic Development approached EFC9 about developing a workshop that would focus on business and the environment. After several conference calls and meetings in San Diego, Lake Tahoe and Hawaii a plan was developed for a number of workshops to be held on Oahu and Maui 2004. The workshops included: REGION 9 ------- * CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFGN Green Janitorial For Hotels, Integrated Pest Management for Hotels, Workshop on E-Waste. Oahu, May 2004 In May, 2004 EFC9 gave a workshop on Green Janitorial Approaches for Hotels at the Sheraton Waikiki that focused on green stewardship, the hazards of various cleaning chemicals and possible alternatives. Attendees included various hotel representatives including Sheraton, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and other smaller independent hotels. Maui, June 2004 In June 2004, EFC9 gave a workshop on Integrated Pest Management for Hotels at the Grand Wailea Hotel on Maui. Attendees included hotel representatives from Marriott, Fairmont, Ritz Carlton, Grand Wailea, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Hyatt, Maui Kai, and Kaanapali Alii as well as Hawaiian Electric, Department of Health, Chamber of Commere and Hawaii Recycling Group. While on Maui, EFC9 also gave a workshop on Electronic Waste for county employees. There were over 22 attendees including representatives from City Recycling, the Maui Department of Health, Maui Department of Environment, the Marine Corps, Island Recycling, Enviroservices and Lenox Metals. The E-Waste presentation included the following subject areas: The problem of E-waste, The toxicity and what chemicals/metals are in your average TV/computer etc., Associated health/environmental problems with these toxins, What various states are doing with E-waste, Some case studies (legislation and recycling programs), Why it makes sense to start confronting the problem now, and Electronic products that have a better environmental record. Oahu, October 2004 In October, EFC9 was invited to return to Oahu to give a workshop on Electronic Waste at the annual Hawaiian Electric Company Conference. Attendees included numerous small business representatives including recyclers and electronics retailers. REGION 9 ------- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EF@N Environmentally Beneficial Behavior in Television Overview In 2003, EFC9 proposed to adopt the private sector concept of "product placement" to place environmentally beneficial behavior (EBB) in television shows. Possible examples included having actors bring cloth bags to the grocery store, recycle soda cans, use worm bins and consider how to properly dispose of a computer monitor and other electronic waste accumulating in their closets. In consultation with EPA, EFC9 agreed to gather and evaluate information regarding the placement of EBB in television shows and to complete the following tasks: Conduct research through focus groups to determine which EBB's will be the project's focus; Identify target markets, including specific groups within such markets, to determine which groups will be most receptive to which messages and most likely to change their behaviors; Identify target shows, television stations, and/or studios receptive to the EBB placement concept and which would most effectively reach the target markets. In addition, EFC9, in consultation with EPA, agreed to create a list of at least 8-10 'best' potential EBB messages. EFC9 would also develop methods to measure success of EBB message placement, including tracking numbers of viewers for each show. As a result, EFC9 was responsible for the following actions and deliverables. Identifying environmentally beneficial behaviors and their relative importance. Identifying target markets for each behavior. Identifying size of problem behavior is addressing. Identifying shows, studios, and/or television stations receptive to the EBB placement concept and which would most effectively reach the target markets, with contacts for each. In 2004, EFC9 completed the following EBB tasks. Conduct research through focus groups In consultation with EPA Region 9 and in response to significant time constraints, EFC9 held three meetings with the following groups to identify potential EBBs. REGION 9 ------- * CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFGN Focus Group I: EBB brainstorming session with US EPA Region IX, February 2004 Meeting at UCLA with Motion Picture Industry project staff, US EPA and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). Focus Group II: EBB brainstorming session with CIWMB, March 2004 Identify environmentally beneficial behaviors and their relative importance EFC9 developed over 100 environmentally beneficial behaviors (EBBs) that could be appropriate to numerous types of productions currently available on cable and network TV. In cooperation with US EPA, four to five EBBs (approximately 40) were chosen for ten TV show variations. After extensive review, one-pagers for each show type were developed and approved. Each one-pager included those EBBs that could make the greatest environmental impact according to EPA reviewers. Identify target markets Target markets, i.e., specific types of TV shows or sets within shows, were chosen that were appropriate to selected EBBs. The EBBs and their markets were then paired in simple one-pagers that could be presented to key production personnel responsible for props, product placement and scripts. One-pagers were developed for the following shows and sets: Garden Shows, Cooking Shows, Home Improvement Shows, and scenes set in gardens, homes, hospitals, offices, outside the home, restaurants and schools. The completed one-pagers are available on our website atwww.greenstart.org/efc9. Identifying size of problem behavior is addressing As initially defined, this task imagined that five to eight behaviors would be identified for all productions. However, as the scope changed, approximately 40 EBBs were developed and the one-pagers were prepared for ten different show types, it was determined that this task would be best completed once the EBBs were placed within shows and the potential impact could be measured. This task will be completed once EBBs have been placed and impact can be assessed. Identify shows, studios, and/or television stations and contacts EFC9 developed an extensive list of shows and contacts that will provide support for the project as we move into the next phases. REGION 9 ------- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EF@N Findings, Recommendations and Suggestions for Further Actions This has been an extremely fluid project as it has ventured into unknown territory since the day it started. While developing the EBBs was a relatively simple exercise it quickly became clear that television is an extremely diverse industry comprised of small, medium and large sized companies, each striving to develop unique products that can capture various (or all) segments of the viewing audience. As such, it became quickly obvious that our approach needed to be equally multi- dimensional, and so, rather than developing a few examples of desired behaviors for all shows, we determined that we should develop a small number of unique EBBs for several types of shows and sets within shows. Thus the one-pagers were developed. In addition, while we agreed that there are certain types of shows that we would like to attract (especially those with high ratings), we were forced to admit that these shows were more than likely to choose us and that we had to offer a variety of options given the diversity of productions on TV. In short, we had to be ready for whomever came knocking at our door. As a result, we determined that to have the biggest bang for our small bucks, we should start the project by contacting smaller, cable-based reality shows, specifically those focused on gardening/landscaping, home improvement and cooking. EFC9 and EPA agreed that since viewers tune into those productions not only to be entertained but to be instructed, our EBBs could have a greater impact. Having identified the Executive Producer as the key contact, EFC9 began contacting shows and producers. To date EFC9 has been in contact with 4 productions (two on HGTV, one on TLC, and one is still a pilot) all of them have responded favorably. In addition, EFC9 has begun to promote the project through various venues including the National Association of Television Program Executives conference and the UCLA Forum on Sustainability in the Motion Picture Industry as described below. National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE). In addition to our work with the productions above, EFC9 attended the NATPE Conference in Las Vegas. The NATPE conference hosted producers from around the world under one roof to promote and sell their productions. Through NATPE we met and secured the services of a product placement professional who has agreed to provide expertise and services to the project free of charge. Forum on Sustainability in the Motion Picture Industry. EFC9 attended and spoke at the Forum on Sustainability in the Motion Picture Industry hosted by REGION 9 ------- * CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFGN UCLA and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). The objective of this Forum was to showcase current "green" practices throughout the industry in order to educate others and help them in reducing the environmental footprint of the industry within Southern California. Other speakers at the event included representatives from Disney, Warner Brothers and Fox, as well professionals in the industry who worked on films such as Dantes Peak, The Lord of the Rings and the Matrix. Ed Begley Jr. was the keynote speaker for the event. As a result of our efforts EFC9 has offered the following recommendations and suggestions for further actions. Continue Contacting and Working with Identified Shows and Studios. EFC9 has had success contacting every show it has initially identified and every producer has been interested in our project. As a result, we have decided to become more strategic about what and how many shows we contact because each production has its own set of requests in response to our program. While the one-pager is a good format to open doors we have found that the cable shows - which can be defined as small to medium sized businesses - are like all companies in that they are pressed for time and money. They would like to work with us but they will need the information about products and behaviors at their fingertips and expect us to provide them with that information. Develop Materials for EBB Placement. Each show we have contacted has asked for additional information. One show is sponsored by Home Depot and has requested a list of environmentally beneficial items that can be purchased from that store and that the show may use in the future. Another show has requested a list of certified green landscapers and a third requested a general list of products specifically suited to its show. In short, it is likely that small shows sponsored by large homeware companies (Home Depot, Target, WalMart, Kmart etc) will want product recommendations that can be purchased from their sponsors. At present these lists need to be developed and will have to be updated regularly. Develop a Website Proposal for Networks and Shows. As a way to highlight products that are showcased on individual programs, an effort should be worked into any future proposal to work with network and program websites. Website coordinators would be asked to incorporate a purchasing opportunity into their sites that would allow viewers to learn about and purchase the products that have been placed on their favorite shows. Viewers could click on an ACT Environmentally icon that would automatically take them to a site that would highlight the products REGION 9 ------- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EF@N and explain why they are important to the environment. The viewer would then be able to click on the product for purchase from the sponsor, product or show website. Environmental Props Warehouse. Set decorators, directors and designers frequently have little time to identify, purchase and/or collect items for a set. Often having as little as two days to develop a set that must accurately portray a real life situation (e.g., travel agency, restaurant, and florist), they do not have the time or knowledge to incorporate environmental products into their sets. As a result, we propose exploring the possibility of an Environmental Props Warehouse strategically centered in Los Angeles. As an alternative Environmental Props room, available existing prop warehouses throughout LA may be more useful. Industry Roundtable. As we learn more about this industry, we learn more about the infinite complications that are involved in the making of a TV show. Each idea comes along as a result of further immersion into the industry but we still have much to learn. In response, we suggest a small industry roundtable that would involve appropriate industry representatives (production crew, set decorators, product placement specialists, etc) to help advise us on our efforts and suggest other ways to green the industry. This roundtable proposal may be addressed in the proposed April Roundtable at the EPA office in Los Angeles. Greening the Industry White Paper. This would be a short proposal to executive producers to help seek a pilot program in which we would act as "green consultants" for a TV show. As consultants we would help advise the show on ways to become greener and save money, and we would have a pilot program from which to beta test our efforts and learn more about the industry in general. Green Production Alternatives Binder. Production designers, art directors and other industry representatives must accurately portray their shows in settings that range from present day New York City to ancient Rome and everything in between and yet to be imagined. As a result, they have libraries through their guilds and associations that they may consult for accuracy and ideas. We propose to develop a Green Production Alternatives Binder that would be prominently placed and available to decision-makers at all association libraries. Develop a Simple Campaign. While the ideal will be to find producers who are interested in working on all aspects of our project, we should also be able to provide a simple approach for shows that are interested but do not have the time or budget (at least for the moment) to fully implement ACT Environmentally. We propose developing a "Five Things" campaign that would target the five best and worst things a TV show could adopt. REGION 9 ------- * CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFGN Region 9 Tribal Initiative This new initiative was an effort to explore ways in which EFC9 could work with Region IX tribes to assist them with their environmental problems. In partnership with the Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network (WRPPN), EFC9 developed an action plan to address key issues facing regional tribes after participating in several conference sessions and discussions on the topics. Two of our major efforts included the WRPPN Conference and the 12th Annual Region 9 Tribal EPA Conference. WRPPN 2004 Conference EFC9 staff participated in the Pollution Prevention (P2) and Tribes Training Session at the WRPPN 2004 Conference. At this session speakers presented an overview on starting a P2 program, described activities of the Native American Environmental Protection Coalition, discussed how the Oneida Tribe in Wisconsin motivates tribal members to recycle rather than dump (by focusing on health issues and the impact of this behavior on family members and future generations), and learned about how the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, the largest casino in the worlda 2,000 acre facility including shopping malls, theatres, hotels and gambling facilities operated by an 800 member tribesaves money through its recycling, reuse and EPP programs. This session provided EFC9 an excellent networking opportunity and one at which we were able to determine the types of sessions that would best serve tribal members. Specifically EFC9 learned that workshops focused on specific industries were more useful than one dedicated solely to tribes. 12th Annual Region 9 Tribal EPA Conference EFC9 assisted WRPPN staff in a training session targeted at pollution prevention for tribes at the 12th Annual Region 9 Tribal EPA Conference. Based on this experience, EFC9 identified the need for holding listening sessions at which EFC9 and WRPPN staff would assist participants in identifying P2 issues of concern and help evaluate alternative responses. EFC9 Action Plan As a result of our efforts in 2004, EFC9 determined that the best approach to working with tribes in Region IX was to bring pollution prevention training sessions to conferences and other meetings where tribal attendance is already high. To that end, EFC9 is exploring the possibility of providing P2 training sessions on casinos, restaurants and auto body shops at the following 2005 venues. REGION 9 ------- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EF@N Native American Environmental Protection Coalition meeting California Indian Gaming Association Conference BIA National Conference Regional Environmental Mangers Meeting Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) Meeting Regional Pow Wows 2005 13th Annual Region 9 Tribal EPA Conference Phoenix Brickyard Charrette In 2003, USEPA and Maricopa County asked the Environmental Finance Center, Region 9 (EFC9) to organize a charrette to address problems between the South Phoenix Community and the Phoenix Brick Yard (PBY). The Phoenix Brick Yard sits in the middle of a low-income neighborhood in which residents have complained of odor and respiratory distress. Phoenix Brick Yard's primary emissions of concern are hydrogen fluoride (HF) and hydrogen chloride (HC1). Clay minerals naturally contain fluoride and chloride. HF and HC1 are formed and emitted during the brick firing process. Generally, HF and HC1 gas can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract at elevated levels; neither compound is considered a carcinogen. The community believes that the Phoenix Brick Yard may be a factor in health issues experienced by nearby neighbors. In May, 2004, concerned stakeholders met in a Phoenix Arizona charrette to discuss financial and other solutions to HC1, HF and particulate emissions from the Phoenix Brickyard. This charrette was facilitated by EFC9. The charrette and other follow- up meetings were attended by representatives from the National Brick Research Center, Phoenix Brick Yard, US EPA, Bethune high school, Arizona Department of Health Services, Maricopa County, City of Phoenix, and community organizations and concerned citizens. In general, the project served to provide the community with a better understanding of air quality issues in their neighborhood and how they might be addressed. In addition, a number of parties reached agreement on how they would proceed in order to satisfy neighborhood concerns. More specifically, Phoenix Brickyard agreed to carry out the following measures to curb emissions and odors emanating from their site. Provide a Mass Balance Test and results to determine what alternatives may be available to reduce emissions. REGION 9 ------- * CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFGN Explore the possibility of introducing deodorizing agents to reduce odors. Determine other ways to control dust from brick mounds and truck traffic. In addition, Supervisor Wilcox (Maricopa County) agreed to draw up a neighborhood compact to help support the results of the project and to explore opportunities to help the Brick Yard attract new business. Maricopa County committed to developing an odor survey and US EPA arranged to provide information on diesel mitigation and associated funding sources Most importantly, financial experts brought to the table determined that the Phoenix Brick Yard could incorporate a heat recovery system that would take advantage of heat loss during the brick firing process. They proposed that lost heat could be harnessed through a small cogeneration power plant and then sold to the local power authority. Energy profits could then be used to purchase and maintain expensive emission control technologies that would reduce emissions by 90 percent. As of the January 2005, negotiations were still underway. Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network Conference (WRPPN) Workshop and Sessions As a key steering committee member for the WRPPN, EFC9 is significantly involved in the planning for the WRPPN Conference held annually in California. In 2004, EFC9 planned and facilitated the following workshop and sessions, which were among the highest attended events at the conference. Nail & Hair Salons This session addressed the toxics in nail and hair products, exposure paths and their impacts, what's happening in Europe, policy efforts in California and the U.S. and recent projects undertaken in Texas and Massachusetts to try and improve worker health & safety and cosmetology school and health agent training. Because of the level of interest the session was expanded by 30 minutes and five speakers were invited to participate on the panel. Those speakers included: Eileen Gunn, Community Program Coordinator with the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) in Massachusetts, Sonya Lunder, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Working Group, Julia Quint, Research Scientist and Chief of the Hazard Evaluation System & Information Service (HESIS), an occupational health program in the California Department of Health Services, REGION 9 ------- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EF@N Lisa Pham, US EPA Region 6, Environmental Engineer, Nail Salon Project Coordinator, and Son Hong, Vice-President, Vietnamese American Community Health Network. As a result of this session a National Salon Network was developed. It now numbers over 50 members and maintains regular conference calls. Emerging Pollutants The session on Emerging Pollutants covered a wide variety of pollutants and potential pollutants. The first speakers, Dr. Katy Wolf, Executive Director of the Institute for Research and Technical Assistance (IRTA) and Julia Quint, Hazard Evaluation System & Information Service (HESIS) focused on new chemicals that are being marketed aggressively and are used extensively in applications where users are exposed to their hazards. Some of these chemicals are known to be hazardous but there are no worker or environmental regulations that control their use. Others have not been tested for chronic toxicity but have structures that make it likely that they are high in toxicity. The session focused on five of these emerging chemicals including: n-propyl bromide, 1,2-trans dichloroethylene, n-methyl pyrollidone, parachlorobenzotrifluoride, and D5. The next speaker, Michael Gill with EPA's Office of Research and Development Hazardous Waste Technical Liaison, provided a primer on the topic of nanotechnology, as well as a summary of some possible health effects and regulatory concerns. Nanotechnology is not really a single "technology", but a cross between chemistry, biology and materials science that deals with particles less than 100 nanometers in size. At this small size, a user can manipulate the structures and cause novel properties and functions. Presently, there are no US government regulations governing nanomaterials or nanotechnology. But because of the increased numbers of nanotech applications being developed by industry, potential associated health effects are being investigated. Finally, a speaker from the USGS National Toxic Inventory Project shared the results of their research. Since 1998, the USGS has been developing analytical REGION 9 ------- * CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFGN capabilities to measure organic wastewater contaminants, including drugs, antibiotics, lotions, detergents, antioxidants, plastics, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), fragrances, pesticides, fumigants, disinfectants and fire retardants, in a variety of environmental matrices. USGS' objectives were to develop sensitive and specific methods to measure trace organics at low levels and to evaluate environmental occurrence in 'susceptible' waters, including downstream of wastewater treatment plans, confined animal feeding operations and a small number of undeveloped or natural settings. Green Business Program Challenges & Solutions In keeping with past years and as the Western Regional Green Business Coordinator, EFC9 hosted a workshop on the Green Business Program. This workshop focused on the most practical steps for municipalities to take, such as buying recycled-content paper, what to specify in print jobs, switching to less toxic janitorial products, greening yards & fleets and incorporating Integrated Pest Management (IPM) into parks maintenance. The framework for this workshop included an overview of how the precautionary principal can be applied at the very local level. MAJOR NEW INITIATIVES FOR 2005 Green Business Program Coordinator's Summits EFC9 will sponsor, plan and facilitate two Green Business Program (GBP) Coordinator Summits to establish guidelines and a hierarchy for operating a statewide program in 2005. The coordinator's summits will establish a protocol by which coordinators will regularly work to determine what defines a valid program and how all California GBPs should harmonize their efforts. More specifically, the summits will address the following issues from a statewide perspective. Overall Statewide Coordination Protocol and Structure Recognizing and Working With New Green Business Programs Statewide Funding Coordinating Checklists Developing Checklists Developing Statewide Green Business Criteria Developing Statewide Measurement Standards California Logo Partner Agencies REGION 9 ------- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EF@N !ACT Environmentally! Once known as Environmentally Beneficial Behavior in Television, this project has now been renamed ACT Environmentally. As we move forward with this project and learn from the experts in the industry, we are beginning to map out the most appropriate and potentially successful approach to behavioral and product placement in TV. Based on experience so far, and EPA and other stakeholder input, the following describes what will come next for ACT Environmentally. We plan to pursue a three-part methodology that would include 1) guidance on placement opportunities for shows and studios, 2) a prop system to readily supply productions with environmental products, and 3) website support to highlight the ACT Environmentally campaign. Guidance. EFC9 will work directly with TV programs to place environmental products and behaviors in participating shows. Depending on the type of placement we are requesting, we will likely be working with the set decorators, writers or executive producers. Props. EFC9 will have to develop a system whereby environmental props are readily available to participating shows. This may involve a physical prop warehouse in LA, environmental prop rooms attached to studio prop warehouses or a virtual prop warehouse with a 24-48 hour turnaround. Websites. Once the TV show has committed to using environmental products, and the prop has been provided, we need a way to showcase what the viewer sees and how she can purchase the product. EFC9 will work with program and/or network website coordinators to help them incorporate a purchasing opportunity into their sites that would allow viewers to learn about and purchase the products that have been placed on their favorite shows. P2 and Salons EFC9 expects to work with salons and cosmetology schools in California to determine the potential health and environmental impacts of products used in salons. The focus of this pilot will be on common toxic salon products and potential alternatives. The pilot would collect information on current products, practices, costs and exposures and will informally assess owners, employees and customer's willingness to choose a healthier alternative. This pilot will characterize the chemicals and other ingredients found in common salon chemicals and assess the potential for health and/or environmental impacts. In addition, EFC9 will identify available alternatives to key toxic chemicals and assess the barriers and opportunities within salons to adopt these alternatives. In conclusion, the project REGION 9 ------- * CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD EFGN will organize a stakeholder roundtable to disseminate information and determine next steps. EFC NETWORK COLLABORATIONS Public Management and Finance Program (PMFP) EFC Region II March 2004, Minnowbrook, NY - Over the years, EFC9 has worked with EFC2 to help develop and launch the Public Management and Finance Program (PMFP). The PMFP is designed to coordinate the delivery of technical assistance to rural communities for the purpose of integrated problem-solving. The PMFP focuses on a variety of areas, including the range of services accessible to communities, the gaps in the delivery of technical assistance, and the disconnect between public policies and the financial and management capacity of these communities. EFC9 will continue to work with EFC2 in the coming year and we hope to establish our own PMFP program in the future. COMMITTEES Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group (BAPPG) EFC9 regularly attended meetings of the Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group (BAPPG). BAPPG is a voluntary association of all Bay Area municipal wastewater treatment plants that discharge into the San Francisco Bay. Bay Area Hazardous Waste Reduction Committee EFC9 is a member of the Bay Area Hazardous Waste Reduction Committee and is a regular participant in committee meetings and events. Western Regional Pollution Prevention Steering Committee EFC9 is a member of the WRPPN steering committee, which helps determine the scope of the annual conference. In addition, WRPPN will use EFC9's Brominated Flame Retardant Clearinghouse and Green Business Clearinghouse pages on our website as the national hubs for those topics under the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable. REGION 9 ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY 2004 Annual Report of the Environmental Finance Center Network Region 10 - EFC at Boise State University A key focus of the EFC at Boise State University is utility rate setting and capital improvement planning for environmental facilities INTRODUCTION The Environmental Finance Center at Boise State University was created in 1995 and first received funding in the fall of 1996. The EFC at BSU is contained within the Department of Public Policy and Administration of the College of Social Science and Public Affairs. The Boise State EFC serves the Region 10 communities of the Pacific Northwest and the Intermountain states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Because of its specialized services and tools, the Boise State EFC has also served other communities throughout the country. This report outlines the EFC's accomplishments in 2004, new initiatives for 2005, network collaborations, presentations and results. REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N The primary focus of the EFC at Boise State University is the development of broadly applicable, practical tools that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental systems in meeting the challenges of protecting the environment and public health. The EFC creates computer-based techniques and programs that provide important information for decision makers to use in financing environmental systems. Leveraging Resources As is customary for the network of university-based Environmental Finance Centers, the EFC at Boise State University effectively supplements its core funding with funding from other sources. As a measure of activity, this leveraging was even more significant, with the EFC attracting eighteen other grants and contracts. This leveraging of resources demonstrates the real value of the Environmental Finance Center Network to Region 10 and the EPA. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Development of Innovative Tools The major theme for the EFC this year has been the development of software financing tools. For the past three years the EFC found that fresh approaches are needed to working with the regulated community, and to that end, developed new software tools to respond to the needs of water and wastewater systems. As well, these new tools are available to stakeholders involved in addressing non-point source water pollution challenges. The EFC's goal is to reach communities nationally with these productivity enhancing tools. The following lists our new software tools made available this year to the regulated community throughout the country: Rate Checkup - a full-cost pricing model for water systems (the EFC is developing the wastewater version of this model for 2005-6). Rate Checkup integrates the EFC's asset refinancing model CAPFinance in developing correct user charges for water systems. Although not a Region 10 state, in 2004 the Kansas Drinking Water Program selected the Rate Checkup and CAPFinance tools for statewide distribution through their capacity development program. System Development Fee Model - under development in 2004, this new tool will be delivered to the University of Illinois' Midwest Technical Assistance Center in Region 5 in 2005. The model will help water systems calculate the impact of new development and to design impact fees to recover those costs. This new model is also based on CAPFinance. REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N Electronic Sanitary Survey (Iowa Model) - working with EPA's Drinking Water Academy over the past two years the EFC has developed a sanitary survey data collection system that is operated on PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants or handheld Windows-based computers). In 2004 Iowa contracted with the Center to produce a variation of this approach that will allow information to be shared across internet networks, linking the central and regional offices of the state drinking water program. Plan2Fund for Idaho - Also in 2004, the State of Idaho' Department of Environmental Quality asked the EFC to modify Plan2Fund - a workplan financing and implementation model - for application to the Clean Water Act Section 319 financing program. This work should be completed in 2005. One Plan BMP Financing Model - the EFC is working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Idaho Soil Conservation Commission and others to enhance the Idaho OnePlan model with an environmental finance sub-routine. In 2004 the EFC began work in building a new sub-routine that would identify opportunities for watershed stakeholders to purchase additional BMPs to optimize water quality on privately-owned land. This model is a direct response (and the outcome of a charrette) to the conflicts between water users and environmentalists in the Klamath Basin. Arsenic Exemption Tool - In 2004 the EFC began work to develop a model to help regulatory agencies quickly determine the financial capacity of communities seeking exemptions from the implementation deadline for the arsenic rule. This software tool is designed to assist staff unfamiliar with financial analysis by automatically generating a financial capacity report. We expect that this model (available in 2005) will be useful for all rule exemption scenarios in the future. Capacity Tracker - this software tool provides an annual "report card" on a utility system's financial capacity and provides trend analysis as well. As demonstrated at the 2004 CIFA Conference in San Diego, the states and EPA could use Capacity Tracker to measure the effectiveness of SRF funding and/or other capacity development programs. Macro-environmental Finance Focus on Watershed Financing Activities The 2002 Annual Report of the Boise State University EFC introduced the division of activities between the focus areas of "macro-environmental" and "micro- environmental" finance. This division is useful in separating our traditional utility- based financing work from the emerging challenges of financing non-point pollution REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N reduction at the watershed level. The first section of the 2004 Annual report highlights our activities in the watershed financing or "macro-environmental" arena. Watershed Funding Workshops The EFC presented 10 watershed funding workshops throughout Region 10 in 2004. Watershed restoration is important throughout the region. Watershed planning activities are increasing each year in response to the need to protect these valuable resources. In order for watershed planning and implementation to be effective, identification and acquisition of resources is necessary. Previous workshops conducted by the Environmental Finance Center have helped to promote stewardship by improving stakeholders' capacity to develop long-term funding strategies for protection and restoration activities. However, different levels of sophistication exist between watershed groups. This difference in sophistication level creates challenges for our workshops to insure all participants receive valuable tools for their funding problems. In response to this need, the EFC tailored their workshops to those levels that best addressed these different needs. Intermediate Workshops Intermediate workshops focused on watershed stakeholders who are familiar with the watershed process but lack the knowledge and skills needed to weave together a funding strategy. The workshop covered principles of developing a finance strategy and identify the funding tools and techniques used in combination to support the watershed vision. Using a diverse mix of public and private funding (from federal, state and local sources), in combination with alternative funding techniques, can build a broad and sustainable base of support for watershed protection. In addition, these workshops will discuss the importance of networking and building relationships in order to maximize knowledge and opportunities for meeting watershed goals. Utilizing existing resources such as universities and schools to assist with education and outreach grant writing and data collection is just one example of leveraging resources. The EFC presented four intermediate workshops in the Region during 2004. The EFC worked closely with EPA Region 10, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other agencies to target attendees and coordinate the timing and location of workshops to maximize participation. Intermediate workshops were held in Pocatello, Idaho; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Newport, Oregon; and Moses REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N Lake, Washington. watershed. Each workshop was tailored to the specific needs of the At each workshop, attendees received CD's with the Directory of Watershed Resources which included federal, private and state specific information on funding programs and Plan2Fund, an access based planning program. Following the workshops there were several requests for further information and additional assistance. Participants expressed interest in information on what other communities are doing to address the issues of funding watershed strategies. The Environmental Finance Center will continue to be a conduit for sharing funding information and examples of funding strategies in Region 10. Pocatello, Idaho (March 10, 2004) Twenty Five participants attended the workshop. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (April 7, 2004) Twenty Five participants attended the workshop. Watershed Funding Workshop - Newport Oregon (October 20, 2004) Nineteen people attended the workshop. Watershed Funding Workshop Moses Lake, Washington (April 8, 2004) Nine watershed representatives registered for the workshop. Advanced Workshops While many watershed groups are very sophisticated in watershed planning and fundraising, they, too, have specific challenges and needs. The EFC provided three workshops in Region 10 to assist theses communities who have unique funding challenges. At each workshop, attendees received CD's with the Directory of Watershed Resources which included federal, private and state specific information on funding programs and Plan2Fund, an access based planning program. Participants at each of the advanced workshops received one-on-one assistance both prior to the workshop and following the workshop. Rogue Basin - Advanced Workshop (January 15, 2004) Thirty people attended the first advanced workshop in the Rogue Basin. The first advanced workshop focused on identifying the needs of the basin, identifying the resources of the EFC and establishing a plan of how to assist the group in moving forwarded. The group was successful in raising a large amount of funding to assist the watershed REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N groups in the basin. However, they found themselves challenged by current funding limitations, and requested assistance in broadening their financing sources. In order to locate new funding resources, the group discovered they first needed to identify their goals, objectives and tasks. The EFC assisted the group in using Plan2Fund to begin to identify actions and funding opportunities. Rogue Basin - Advanced Workshop (May 6, 2004): The group requested a second advanced workshop to present the information in Plan2Fund to the basin. Ten people attended the follow-up workshop. The group is continuing to use Plan2Fund to develop a funding plan for the Basin. Chehalis Basin - Advanced Workshop: The EFC presented an advanced workshop in the Chehalis Basin. The Chehalis Basin group had recently completed a watershed plan and requested the EFC assist them in moving forwarded in developing an implementation strategy. The EFC presented an advanced workshop to assist the group in identifying the challenges they faced in moving forward to implementation. The workshop revealed that the group needed assistance in identifying their goals, objectives and tasks. In addition, the group also needed assistance in prioritizing those objectives and tasks. The EFC assisted the group in using Plan2Fund to identify the group's goals, objectives and tasks and assisted in the prioritization process. EPA Watershed Financing Demonstration Workshops The EFC provides valuable tools and resources to many stakeholders working on watershed protection and restoration. Making these services known is a continuing effort. For this reason, it is important that EPA staff and other agencies in constant contact with watershed stakeholders be aware of the information, resources and tools we provide. The EFC conducted two workshops for EPA Region 10 staff in the states of Oregon and Idaho. Key staff members were attended from EPA Region 10 as well as other federal agencies and watershed organizations. The purpose of these workshops was twofold: first was to familiarize EPA Region 10 staff with the tools and services that the EFC provides to local watershed groups in the Northwest. For example, the workshop provided the participants with the Environmental Finance Center's database of funding resources, which demonstrated how to acquire information on EPA and other federal, state, local and private funding sources. The second goal of the demonstration workshop was to orient EPA staff on the techniques that the EFC uses to teach watershed organizations to discover and REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N leverage funding resources to implement multiple-year implementation plans. Workshops were conducted in Boise, Idaho and Tillamook Oregon. Boise Idaho: The workshop was held in Boise Idaho on March 31, 2004. Twenty five people attended the workshop and received CD-ROMs with the EFC's tool and workshop materials including the Directory of Watershed Resources and Plan2Fund. Tillamook Oregon: The workshop was held in Tillamook Oregon on May 5, 2004. Twenty five people attended the workshop and received CD-ROMs with the EFC's tool and workshop materials including the Directory of Watershed Resources and Plan2Fund. Idaho Stream and Wetland Regulation Workshops The Environmental Finance Center at Boise State University coordinated with the US Army Corps of Engineers and EPA to plan and deliver a series of Stream and Wetland Regulation Workshops throughout Idaho during the fall of 2004. The workshops were designed to inform those who work around water resources of the requirements, permit application process, and the consequences of not obtaining a permit prior to conducting work in regulated waters. Targeted participants included stakeholders who are directly or indirectly involved in dredging of and/or placing fill in wetlands and streams. Information on both the state stream channel protection program and the federal wetland protection regulatory programs were presented. Six workshops were conducted throughout Idaho between October 2004 and November 2004. The dates and locations of theses workshops are as follows: Boise, Idaho - October 27, 2004. Approximately 65 people attended. Salmon, Idaho - November 2, 2004. Approximately 35 people attended. Idaho Falls, Idaho - November 3, 2004. Approximately 77 people attended. Twin Falls, Idaho - November 4, 2004. Approximately 55 people attended. Sandpoint, Idaho - November 9, 2004. Approximately 37 people attended. Lewiston Idaho - November 10, 2004. Approximately 55 people attended. Information packets including the PowerPoint presentation, joint application form and additional information and resources were provided to each participant. The EFC worked closely with the EPA, Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), US Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) and other federal, state and tribal agencies to REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N target attendees and coordinate the timing and location of each workshop to maximize participation. The workshops were very well received. Ninety-seven percent of participants responded in the workshop evaluation that the workshop was valuable or highly valuable. Directory of Watershed Resources Directory of Watershed Resources Database Update In 2003, the Center developed the Directory of Watershed Resources (Directory), a database of funding sources for watershed protection and restoration. The Directory includes information on federal, state, private, and other funding sources and assistance in the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. The Directory has been a huge success, identifying over 750 programs within Region 10. However, for this database to continue to be a resource for watershed stakeholders, the information must be kept accurate and up-to-date. In 2004, to assist with the task up updating the database, the Environmental Finance Center developed an email update function of the Directory of Watershed Resources. The email function allows the EFC to send an annual email to each program contact with a link to their specific programs for review and requests updates to the Center through email, fax, phone, or by filling out an online form. The email provides additional verification with program contacts to ensure accuracy. Prior to sending the first email, the Center identified and added email addresses for each program contact into the database. This frequently was not included in the original contact information. This was done through online research and phone calls to program contacts. Once the contact information was complete, the EFC sent an email to all primary program contact in the database. Although the response rate was fair for the first notice, it was insufficient to update the database, so the Center has continued to add and update programs in the database through research and as information becomes available. Due to the difficulty in accessing the Internet in many areas, the EFC created an up to date CD-ROM version of the Directory free of charge and available upon request. In REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N 2004 the EFC distributed over 500 CDs at workshops, conferences and through email and phone requests. In addition the Directory is available online. There were over 1,000 visits to the Directory in 2004, with approximately one hundred visitors to the site every month. The numbers are growing as people become aware of this on-line resource. In addition, several agencies have began to link to the Directory website and are directing un-funded applicants to the EFC for assistance. National Expansion of the Directory of Watershed Resources and Plan2Fund The response to the Directory of Watershed Resources has been extremely positive and has generated a strong demand for this tool in other regions. This demand has been noticed by the USEPA's Sustainable Finance Team within the Office of Water, Oceans and Watersheds, with that division providing additional financial resources to the EFC. To address this broader need for effective watershed financing tools, the Directory and Plan2Fund are being enhanced and expanded for distribution to watersheds and watershed groups in other regions throughout the United States. Expanding these tools will help build the capacity of watershed groups throughout the nation and make funding information more accessible to these groups, thus reducing the administrative burden many of these groups face. Directory of Watershed Resources In 2004, the Center began expanding the Watershed Resources Directory to function as a national database. Expanding the Directory to a national database will allow other states and regions to use the structure of the Directory, reducing duplication and allowing for significant cost savings. The New England Environmental Finance Center (Region 1 EFC) will be the first EFC to utilize the national structure by entering Region 1 information into the database. Region 1 information will be available on the Database in early 2005. We assume that as resources allow, additional Environmental Finance Centers will also add information into the database. This project is an excellent example of how the Environmental Finance Center Network allows the partner university-based EFCs to efficiently leverage resources in serving the public in our separate EPA Regions. Plan2Fund Our field work proved that many watershed groups struggle with the task of moving from the actual watershed plan to locating funding sources. Attendees at our REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N workshops often want to know what sources of funding are available; however, they have not identified watershed restoration priorities or established time frames for activities. Without a clear funding strategy, they were overwhelmed with the implementation process. During 2003, the EFC responded to these requests by developing new software tools to meet their needs and help them move from the planning process to developing a funding strategy for implementation. The result of this effort was Plan2Fund, a watershed strategic planning and funding tool that helps organizations determine their funding needs to meet the goals and objectives of their watershed restoration program plan. Plan2Fund was developed in Microsoft Access and is a database model that walks users through the process of estimating the costs of their Watershed Program Plan's Goals and Objectives, assessing any local matches, and determining funding needs to meet Goals and Objectives. The results from Plan2Fund can be used to search for funding sources utilizing the Environmental Finance Center's internet-based Directory of Watershed Resources. Several hundred copies of Plan2Fund have been distributed free of charge to conference attendees and workshop participants. In addition, over 140 people have downloaded Plan2Fund off the EFC's website at http://sspa.boisestate.edu/efc. In 2004 the EFC requested feedback from these users. As a result, the EFC identified several enhancements to Plan2Fund. The majority of the requests were requesting that Plan2Fund be available in a runtime version, allowing users to access Plan2Fund without owning the program software (Microsoft Access). In 2004, the EFC began enhancements to Plan2Fund, including creating a run time version. In addition, more detailed budgeting information was added to the program as well as responsible entity data that will allow collaborative watershed groups to identify in a series of reports what tasks are assigned to different stakeholders. The revisions also included a grant tracking section that allows users to identify and track grants and resources for specific tasks. Additional reports were also added to the program. The new version of Plan2Fund will be available on CD and on the EFC's website in 2005. Agricultural BMP Cost Analysis The EFC worked extensively with watershed stakeholders throughout Region 10. This provided the EFC with the opportunity to listen to challenges and needs expressed by various watershed groups. At the Klamath Watershed Funding Workshop in particular, watershed stakeholders expressed a need to identify the costs and benefits of conservation efforts for landowners in the region. This information REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N could be used to inform landowners of the economic costs and benefits of implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their land and help identify what additional incentives may be required to reach the conservation goals in the watershed. In response, the EFC completed an analysis of existing models available for determining cost incentives for watershed conservation efforts and identified the potential to develop an economic decision model for watershed organizations. The analysis revealed that although there are many sources of information about economic incentives for agricultural BMPs, there is no model currently available that would specifically address the water quality issues in these watersheds. The EFC has been working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS), Idaho Conservation Commission, Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts, and other state and federal agencies to develop an analysis tool that provides cost information to landowners to assist them in identifying conservation practices on their land. Through a series of meetings, the Idaho OnePlan was identified as partner in providing this service. The Idaho OnePlan was developed by a consortium of agriculture stakeholders and is overseen by the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission. The Plan is a multi-agency project to combine government regulations and current best management practices for agriculture into a single plan, integrating federal, state, and local regulations. The Idaho OnePlan provides data and software to help growers develop a single conservation farm plan that can be pre-endorsed by the various agencies, streamlining and simplifying the regulatory process that farmers face. Within the OnePlan, the landowner can locate their farm from a state map and the web site (using USGS and other agency GIS data) will automatically retrieve geographic information about the fields, including soil type and slope. From there, the landowner identifies the activities the are occurring on the land. The OnePlan then recommends a series of field specific conservation practices, which will achieve a minimum level of water quality benefit. Information on the costs and related level of benefits, however, are missing from the model. The EFC is working with various state and federal agricultural agencies to add a financial cost component to the Idaho One Plan which will provide financial decision making capacity to the OnePlan. Adding a financial component to the program will assist landowners in identifying the costs of conservation practices and assist them in finding financial resources to implement their conservation plan. REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N The EFC developed the methodology for adding this cost and benefit information into the OnePlan using both general and specific information. Once conservation practices are identified within the OnePlan, general cost and benefit information (high, medium, low) will be provided based on research data by the NRCS. This would allow the landowner to compare conservation practices that have high costs and low benefit with practices that have low costs and high benefit. The user can also calculate more specific estimates on individual practices by entering information on the number of units needed per cost component. The information would be entered into a spreadsheet that used the various cost components of the conservation practice (identified by EFC), cost per unit (NRCS data sheets) and the number of units needed (entered by landowner) to determine the cost estimate for the conservation practice. The EFC identified the various cost components associated for each of the 80 conservation practices in the Idaho OnePlan and will use NRCS data on costs per unit for each cost component. The EFC will contine to work with the Idaho OnePlan to develop a cost component to the OnePlan to assist landowners in identifying conservation practices. For more information on the Idaho OnePlan visit http://www.oneplan.org/. Environmental Finance E-Newsletter The Environmental Finance Center provides a quarterly newsletter for watershed stakeholders, which focuses on watershed funding issues within the region. One issue of the newsletter was completed during the reporting period. The newsletter includes information on upcoming events, grant deadlines and specific resources and programs. This year the EFC expanded the newsletter to include micro financing issues such as utility finance, rate setting and point source funding concerns. This has provided information to a broader range of stakeholders interested in protecting the watershed. The newsletter is emailed to target groups including past workshop attendees, watershed groups, various EFC contacts, and local governments. The response has been very positive. The EFC has received several requests from individuals to be added to the email subscription list. In late 2004, circulation for the newsletter increased from 400 to nearly 500. The newsletter is available on the EFC's website at http://sspa.boisestate.edu/efc/news.htm. REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N IACC Newsletter The EFC supplied assistance to the Washington Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) to provide a quarterly newsletter on infrastructure financing in Washington State. The goals of the newsletter are to provide relevant and timely information on infrastructure financing and related issues, and to enhance communication between state and federal financing programs, as well as the systems and the public. Two newsletters were completed during the reporting period. Newsletters can be viewed at: http://www.infrafunding.wa.gov/IACC%20Newsletters/IACC%20Newsletters.htm EFC Information Activities - Website The activities of the Boise State EFC are profiled at the EFC's Intranet website at http://sspa.boisestate.edu/efc. This website allows the EFC to provide information on our programs and projects without incurring the expenses of publishing a newsletter or other periodical. Information such as The Watershed Newsletter, various PowerPoint presentations, Capacity Tracker download and new publications were added to the website during the first and second quarters of FY 2005. The EFC remains committed to keeping their website current and up-to-date. MlbUhl_LANh< rHNIUAL AbblbTANUE As the EFC delivers watershed-funding workshops in the region, the demand for information on financing tools and resources has increased. Participants often pass information on to the other stakeholders who contact us for additional information and assistance. In addition, the EFC is often contacted by agencies and organizations that would like us to participate in conferences, meeting and various watershed events. Below are a few examples of the miscellaneous and unanticipated activities that the EFC has been asked to participate in during the first and second quarter of FY 2005. At these events, the EFC was able to present valuable information and resources to hundreds of participants, resulting in several requests for additional assistance. Watershed Funding Customer Service Assistance: In 2003, the EFC established a toll-free telephone number for watershed stakeholders to call if they needed one-on- one technical service assistance when searching for watershed funding within Region 10. The line was established to provide assistance in searching the Directory of Watershed Resources as well as provide additional information on financing tools, REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N resources, contact information, and other resources. The EFC has continued this service for Region 10 to provide technical assistance and information to workshop participants and others who are interested in implementing watershed protection strategies, but need more information about financing tools, resources, contact information, etc. Through phone and email requests, additional Directories of Watershed Resources and Plan2Fund CDs (150) were sent in 2004. The EFC plans to continue this service for Region 10 in the future. Watershed Financing Individual Assistance: Often EFC workshops and presentations result in requests for additional assistance. Several times throughout the year the EFC researched funding sources for specific needs in a watershed. During 2004, the EFC provided this assistance to several individuals and organizations including the City of Coquille, Fish First, the Lower Boise River Watershed Advisory Group, and various other individuals. Workshops and Conferences Throughout the year the EFC is asked to participate in various workshops and conferences. The conferences allow the EFC to share its tools and services with a large number of stakeholders and has resulted in positive responses and requests for additional information. Below are a few of the events and services the EFC provided during this reporting period. Watershed Protection Institute - Bainbridge Island Washington (September 17, 2004) The EFC gave a presentation and participated in a panel discussion at the Watershed Protection Institute on funding river and watershed efforts. The EFC provided participants with a CD-ROM of its tools and resources including Plan2Fund and the Directory of Watershed Resources. National Non-Point Source (NPS) Conference - Austin TX (2004) The National NPS Conference, "Implementation at the Watershed Level" was sponsored by the EPA and the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators (ASIWPCA). The EFC provided a workshop on financing watershed protection efforts. Participants received a CD-ROM of the Directory of watershed resources and Plan2Fund. The workshop was well received and resulted in several additional requests for assistance including a follow-up REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N presentation at the Arkansas Watershed Advisory Group's 2004 Watershed Conference: "Clean Water - Stronger Communities. Watershed Partnership Seminar - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Office of Personnel Management/Western Management Development Center Denver Colorado. (November 8-19. 2004) The EFC participated in the Watershed Partnerships Seminar: Collaboration for Environmental Decision Making. The EFC provided a full day workshop on financing watershed protection efforts. Participants received CD-ROMs with the Directory of Watershed Resources and Plan2Fund. The information was well received and resulted in additional requests for assistance. New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) Conference (May 2004). Teaming up with the Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University, the Boise State EFC presented two sessions at the Northeast NEIWPCC Conference at Lake George, New York. The first session, Financing Sustainable Watersheds: How the Environmental Finance Center Assists Watershed Organizations, discussed how the EFC Network assists watershed organizations and local communities in building the financial and managerial capacity necessary to solve the challenges of nonpoint source pollution. The second session, Financing Sustainable Watersheds: Tools to Save Time and Find Money, introduced participants to successful management and financing techniques for watershed restoration and informed participants of the tools and resources available to assist watershed stakeholders with their funding needs. The EFC gave an overview of PLAN2FUND, a watershed planning tool, and web-base funding databases including the Directory of Watershed Resources. In addition, the EFC also discussed future tools they are developing to assist landowners in identifying the cost effectiveness of Agricultural Best Management Practices. Environmental Finance Focus on Infrastructure Finance Activities While watershed financing technical assistance and training has increased significantly over the past several years, the EFC at Boise State University maintains an important core of tools and services relative to the traditional full-cost funding challenges of providing essential public services. This section of the 2004 Annual Report highlights new State Revolving Fund (SRF) activity of the EFC and a variety of training and technical assistance events. REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N State Revolving Funds (SRF): Providing Financial and Management Capacity Analysis Since 1997 the EFC has provided third-party review of financial and management capacity of applicants seeking funding from the Idaho Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program. Similar services are provided under contract to the Alaska Clean Water Fund and Drinking Water Revolving Fund for the analysis of financial capacity. Approximately one-dozen reviews were conducted in 2004. New in 2004, the EFC entered into contracts with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington Department of Ecology for additional financial capacity analysis services. US Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE): In 2004 the Walla Walla District Office (Boise branch) of the US Army Corps of Engineers asked the EFC to conduct financial capacity analyses for recipients of their Section 595 assistance program. The financial capacity reviews are now used by the Corps staff to encourage water and wastewater systems to institute management and financial management changes that should lead to more sustainable public services. In December 2004, the EFC completed its first report - the City of Burley, Idaho Wastewater Fund - for the Corps staff. The EFC may receive similar requests from USAGE offices throughout the western states. Aside from receiving objective review of loan applicants' financial capacity, the Corps benefits from being able to access trained and experienced EFC staff for this purpose - without having to establish internal staff capacity to do this work. Washington Department of Ecology: Also in 2004, the Washington Department of Ecology - the administrators of the state's Clean Water State Revolving Fund - asked the EFC to not only conduct financial capacity reviews of its recipients for funds, but also to design a computer-based model that would expedite such financial reviews and automatically generate financial capacity analyses. This new computer tool should be available in 2005 and could become a model for other state SRF programs. Training and Technical Assistance Events - Highlights Ohio CAPFinance Workshops The Environmental Finance Centers at Boise State University and Cleveland State University teamed up in February, 2004 to deliver two workshops on asset replacement financing in two Ohio cities: Cleveland and Columbus. The two EFCs REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N teamed with the Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program to offer the training to small Ohio communities. Washington Drinking Water SRF Workshop Series In March, 2004 the EFC presented a series of training workshops at regional locations throughout the State of Washington. The specific training focused on full-cost pricing and financial capacity measurement for applicants to the State's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program. Sponsored by the Washington Public Works Board, the training made use of several EFC-developed tools, including a multiple year financing model designed specifically for the workshop series. Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems Rate Checkup Training The EFC was invited to present training on its new Rate Checkup water utility rate setting software at the Wyoming Rural Water Systems Annual Conference in Casper in March 2004. Alaska Water and Wastewater Management Association - Rate Checkup Workshop In April the EFC provided a rate setting workshop for water and wastewater professionals in Anchorage. The workshop highlighted the introduction of Rate Checkup to Alaska communities. Ohio Water Environment Association Conference - Columbus, OH Also in April, 2004 EFC directors Bill Jarocki (BSU EFC) and Kevin O'Brien (CSU EFC) presented a series of workshop sessions on financial and management capacity at the Ohio Water Environment Association Conference in Columbus. The focus of the conference was the implementation finance challenges of CSO/SSO standards for communities. Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) differ from combined sewer overflows (CSOs). CSOs are overflows from older sewer systems designed to carry both domestic and storm water loads. SSOs are discharges of raw or inadequately treated sewage from municipal separate sanitary sewer systems, which are designed to carry domestic sanitary sewage but not storm water. These overflows may also contain industrial wastewater that is present in the sewer system. The TWO EFCs joined EPA's Office of Enforcement in presenting practical approaches for full-cost financing of CSO/SSO projects. REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N Oregon League of Cities Water and Wastewater Financing Workshop In July, the Oregon League of Cities invited the EFC to present a workshop on asset replacement financing in Eugene, Oregon. Nearly fifty city officials attended this workshop which featured two EFC products - CAPFinance and the Guidebook of Financial Tools. National Capacity Development Workshop - Denver, CO In July, 2004 EFC Director Bill Jarocki presented workshops on capacity development tools, training and technical assistance at the Drinking Water National Capacity Development Workshop in Denver, Colorado. Of particular note was the State of Louisiana's use of the EFC's RatioS model for tracking the performance of its capacity development activities in the state drinking water protection program. Utah Full Cost Pricing Demonstration Workshop In August of 2004 the EFC at Boise State University teamed up with W. David Patton, Ph.D. of the University of Utah to offer a Rate-Setting and Capital Financing workshop for small Utah communities in the Salt Lake City area. Patton, a former Boise State University EFC Director and currently the Director of the Center for Public Policy at the University of Utah, co-hosted the full day workshop with the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Approximately 15 elected and appointed Utah municipal officials attended the workshop. Region 7 State Drinking Water Program Stakeholders Meeting - Jefferson City, MO In October, the EFC facilitated a meeting of Missouri drinking water program capacity development stakeholders in Jefferson City. The purpose of the meeting was to revisit state program priorities developed under the SDWA's state strategy requirement. This meeting in Missouri followed several years of collaboration with the Region 7 states, the Region 7 Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water and the EFC at Boise State University. Region 8 All States Meeting for Drinking Water System Capacity Development Also in October, the EFC presented its repertoire of tools for improving water system management and financial capacity at the all states meeting for Region 8. This REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC EF©N workshop highlighted replacement cost financing and using CAPFinance to calculate those costs. Washington Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) Conference - Wenatchee, WA Wenatchee was the site of the 2004 IACC annual conference. The EFC presented workshops on rate setting using Rate Checkup, and asset replacement financing using CAPFinance. EFC NETWORK COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES SUMMARY Watershed Protection. The EFC will continue to collaborate with the EFC at the University of Maryland (Region 3) on watershed protection and watershed funding efforts. In 2005, these Centers are expected to introduce watershed planning and financing tools to stakeholders in the State of Virginia. Directory of Watershed Resources. The EFC is collaborating with the University of Southern Maine EFC (Region 1) and the EFC Network to expand the Directory of Watershed Resources to other EFC Regions. This work, funded through EPA's Office of Wetlands Oceans and Watersheds (OWOW), is designed to lay the groundwork for eventual nationwide application of EFC tools. Conferences and Meetings. The EFC will continue to collaborate with the EFC Network to provide information and presentations at conferences. NEW INITIATIVES FOR 2005 The EFC will pursue several new initiatives in 2005 in the policy areas of Safe Drinking Water and Watershed Protection. Watershed Funding Workshops The EFC is developing an online watershed funding workshop. The workshop will provide information, tools and resources to a wide variety of watershed groups, local governments and tribes. The workshop will include video, web tutorials, and links to resources and tools to assist group develop strategies for financing watershed protection efforts. In addition, the EFC will provide ongoing web support and assistance to groups developing and implementing long-term funding strategies. REGION 1 D ------- BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY EFC * EF@N Directory of Watershed Resources The EFC is expanding the Directory to a national database. The EFC will continue to work with the EFC Network to expand this resource to other regions. In addition, the EFC will continue to update and expand the funding sources within the Directory of Watershed Resources. Prioritization Tool The EFC is developing a new tool to assist watershed organizations to prioritize the goals and objectives of their watershed plan. The computer-based prioritization model fills an important gap for groups that have difficulty deciding which of their planning objectives should be accomplished immediately, in the short term, or at some later time. As with other EFC tools, the prioritization model is born of necessity, is a practical solution to problems stakeholder groups face, and will ultimately help community based organizations accomplish their tasks more efficiently. The tool will provide organizations with a model to assist them through the prioritization process using decision rules developed by the group. Field testing in late 2004 has led to the likely delivery of a full-beta model in 2005. REGION 1 D ------- EFC NETWORK CONTACT LIST -5- EF@N Region 1 Environmental Finance Center EFC at University of Southern Maine Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service 49 Exeter Street Portland, Maine 04104-9300 EFC DIRECTOR Dr. Richard Barringer barringr@usm.maine.edu (207)780-4418 Fax (207) 780-4317 PROJECTS DIRECTOR Dr. Samuel B. Merrill smerrill@usm.maine.edu (207)228-8596 Fax (207) 780-4317 REGIONAL CONTACT Diane Gould gould.diane@epa.gov (617)918-1569 US EPA - Region 1 1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 Boston, MA-2114-2023 EPA HEADQUARTERS LEAD Alecia Crichow crichlow.alecia@epa.gov (202)564-5188 Fax (202) 565-2587 Region 2 Environmental Finance Center EFC at Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs 504 Maxwell Hall Syracuse, New York 13244-1090 EFC DIRECTOR Mark Lichtenstein REGIONAL CONTACT malichte@maxwell. syr. edu (315)443-9438 Fax (315) 443-5330 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR asciccarfi Amy Ciccarelli ^maxwell, syr. edu (315)443-1979 PROGRAM MANAGER Kevin Jacob son kmj acob s@maxwell. syr. edu (315)443-4881 Fax (315) 443-5330 ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR Mary Ellen Gilbert magilb er@maxwell. syr. edu (315)-443-9994 Elizabeth VanRabenswaay Elizabeth VanRabenswaay/R2/USEPA/US (212)637-3881 Fax (212) 637-3891 US EPA - Region 2 290 Broadway New York, NY 10007-1866 EPA HEADQUARTERS LEAD Vera Hannigan hannigan.vera@epa.gov (202) 564-5001 Fax (202) 565-2587 ------- EFC NETWORK CONTACT LIST Region 3 Environmental Finance Center EFC at University of Maryland Institute for Governmental Service 451 IKnox Road #205 College Park, Maryland 20740 ^^^H EFC DIRECTOR Dan Nees dannees@earthlink.net (301)403-4610 cell (301)466-3394 Fax (301)403-4222 ASSISTANT COORDINATOR Michelle O'Herron oherron@mdsg.umd.edu (301)403-4220x26 Fax (301)403-4255 FIELD OPERATIONS Jean Holloway (410)632-1853 Jshl252@ezy.net REGIONAL CONTACT Mindy Lemoine lemoine.mindy@epa.gov (215)814-2736 Fax (215) 814-2201 US EPA - Region 3 Mail Code 3CBOO 1650 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 EPA HEADQUARTERS LEAD Susan Emerson emerson. susan@epa.gov (202)564-1137 Fax (202) 565-2587 Region 4 Environmental Finance Center EFC at University of North Carolina Institute of Government CB# 3330 Knapp Building Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3330 EFC DIRECTOR Jeff Hughes jhughes@unc.edu Phone:(919) 843-4956 Fax: (919) 962-2765 EFC ADVISORS Prof. Richard Whisnant Associate Prof. UNC School of Government ri chard_whi snant@unc. edu (919) 962-9320 Lynn Weller. Weller@iogmail.iog.unc.edu Phone: (919) 966-4199 Fax: (919) 962-8202 REGIONAL CONTACT Maryj o Bragan bragan.maryjo@epa.gov (404) 562-8323 Fax (404) 562-8269 US EPA - Region 4 61 Forsythe Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303-8960 EPA HEADQUARTERS LEAD Timothy McProuty mcprouty.timothy@epa.gov (202) 564-4996 Fax (202) 565-2587 ------- EFC NETWORK CONTACT LIST -5- EF@N Region 4 Environmental Finance Center EFC at University of Louisville 426 W. Bloom Street University of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky 40208 EFC DIRECTOR Peter Meyer, Ph.D Pbmeyer@louisville.edu Phone:(502)852-8032 Fax:(502) 852-4558 EFC Co-DiRECTOR Lauren Heberle lOhebeOl @gwise.louisville.edu Phone: 502-852-4749 PROJECT MANAGER Russell Barnett r.barnett@louisville.edu 202 Patterson Hall Phone:(502)852-1851 Fax:(502)852-4677 REGIONAL CONTACT MaryjoBragan bragan.maryjo@epa.gov (404) 562-8323 Fax (404) 562-8269 US EPA - Region 4 61 Forsythe Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303-8960 EPA HEADQUARTERS LEAD Vera Hannigan hannigan.vera@epa.gov (202) 564-5001 Fax (202) 565-2587 Region 5 Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center EFC at Cleveland State University Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs 1717 Euclid Avenue, Suite 120 Cleveland, OH 44115 EFC DIRECTOR SECRETARY Kevin O'Brien kobrien6@adelphia.net Phone: (216) 687-2188 Fax: (216) 687-9291 Vivian Tucker vivian@urban.csuohio.edu Phone: (216) 687-4739 Fax: (216) 687-9291 REGIONAL CONTACT Lyn Luttner U.S. EPA-Region 5 Cleveland Office - Mail Code ME-W 25089 Center Ridge Road Westlake, OH44145 (440)250-1711 fax (440)250-1750 EPA HEADQUARTERS LEAD Timothy McProuty mcprouty.timothy@epa.gov (202) 564-4996 Fax (202) 565-2587 ------- EFC NETWORK CONTACT LIST Region 6 Environmental Finance Center EFC at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology The Institute for Engineering Research and Applications (IERA) 901 University Boulevard Albuquerque, NM 87106-4339 ^H EFC DIRECTOR Heather Himmelberger heatherh@efc.nmt.edu (505)272-7357 Fax (505) 272-7203 PROGRAM MANAGER Susan Butler butler@efc.nmt.edu (505)272-7356 Fax (505) 272-7203 Program Coordinator Cynthia Hernandez chernandez@efc.nmt.edu (505) 272-7280 Fax (505) 272-7203 REGIONAL CONTACT Freda Wash wash.freda@epa.gov (214) 665-8342 Fax (214) 665-6490 US EPA - Region 6 Mail Code - 6WQ-AT 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75202-2733 EPA HEADQUARTERS LEAD Alecia Crichlow crichlow.alecia@epa.gov (202)564-5188 Fax (202) 565-2587 Region 9 Environmental Finance Center EFC at California State University, Hayward Environmental Finance Center Building 7, Alameda Point 851 West Midway Avenue Alameda, CA 94501 EFC DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Sarah Diefendorf sdief@aol.com (510)749-6867 Fax (510) 749-6862 Susan Blachman (510)749-6867 Fax (510) 749-6862 REGIONAL CONTACT Bill Jones Bill Jones/R9/USEPA/US (213)244-1817 Fax (213) 244-1850 US EPA - Region 9 Mail Code SPE-1 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105 EPA HEADQUARTERS LEAD Vanessa Bowie bowie.vanessa@epa.gov (202)564-5186 Fax (202) 565-2587 ------- EFC NETWORK CONTACT LIST -5- EF@N EFC DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE Region 10 Environmental Finance Center EFC at Boise State University 1910 University Drive Boise, ID 83725 Bill Jarocki bj arock@b oi se state. edu (208) 426-4293 Fax (208) 426-3967 C. Gary Carroll, PE gcarroll @b oi se state. edu (208) 426-2460 ADMINSTRATIVE ASSISTANT Lynda Robinson lroninso@boisestate.edu (208)426-1567 Fax (208) 426-3967 REGIONAL CONTACT William Chamberlain chamberlain.william@epa.gov (206)553-8515 US EPA-Region 10 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 EPA HEADQUARTERS LEAD Vanessa Bowie bowie.vanessa@epa.gov (202)564-5186 Fax (202) 565-2587 - EFC Network contact list of August 3, 2005, vh ------- EPA/OCFO/Environmental Finance Program Page 1 of2 EFP Overview What's New? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Contact EFP Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) Environmental Finance Center Network Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) Guidebook of Financial Tools Environmental Financial Tools EFP Publications Funding Sources Ask a Question U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Finance Program ) Contact Us Print Version Search: | EPA Home > Chief Financial Officer > Environmental Finance Program Helping to answer the "HOW TO PAY" question. What is the EFP? The EFP, an Overview Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What's New? Contact the EFP EFP Elements: Environmental Financial Advisory Board Environmental Financing Information Network Environmental Finance Center Network Guidebook of Financial Tools EFP Activities: Environmental Financial Tools Funding Sources EFP Publications Ask a Question PA Documents Spotlighted: EFC Network's '2004 Annual Report' (PDF) (August 2005) NEW EFAB's Strategic Action Agenda, Fiscal Years 2005-2006 (PDF) (July 2005) NEW EPA's response (July 2005) to EFAB's "Combined Operations of the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds (SRFs):" 1) Cover letter, 2) White Paper. (PDFs) (May 2005) NEW Need help understanding environmental finance? Just ask. We want to help! Tool Spotlight: A Guidebook of Financial Tools... Discover 350+ environmental financial tools to practice sustainable finance with. EFP Spotlight: EFAB's summer full board meeting will be held August 15th - 16th, 2005 in San Francisco, CA NEW EFAB's Newsletter for March 2005 (Past newsletters.) Minutes from EFAB's winter 2003 full board meeting EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/ 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/Environmental Finance Program Page 2 of 2 Last updated on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2005 URL: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/ http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/ 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFP Overview Pagel of 3 (AS. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Finance Program ) Contact Us Print Version Search: | EFP Overview What's New? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Contact EFP Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) Environmental Finance Center Network Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) Guidebook of Financial Tools Environmental Financial Tools EFP Publications Funding Sources Ask a Question EPA Home > Chief Financial Officer > Environmental Finance Program > EFP Overview Environmental Finance Program (EFP) Overview What is the EFP? Background Purpose and Activities BACKGROUND One of the major challenges of the 21st century is obtaining funds for environmental programs. The costs of environmental protection are growing rapidly. Yet our nation's ability to meet these rising costs is falling behind - and the financing gap is widening. Consequently, the nation needs to make the effort to develop long- term funding strategies. Because we live in times of diminishing resources and competing priorities, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed the Environmental Finance Program to assist communities in their search for creative approaches to funding their environmental projects. The Environmental Finance Program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides financial technical assistance to the regulated community and advice and recommendations to the Agency on environmental finance issues, trends, and options. PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES Drawing on the financing expertise of staff, the Environmental Financial Advisory Board, and university based Environmental Finance Centers, the Environmental Finance Program seeks to lower costs, increase investment, and build capacity by creating partnerships with state and local governments and the private sector to fund environmental needs. The Environmental Finance Program operates through three activities: 1. The Environmental Financial Advisory Board or EFAB is a federally chartered advisory committee consisting of a diverse group of independent financing experts from public and private sector organizations interested in lowering environmental costs and increasing investment in environmental facilities and services. The Board produces policy and technical reports on a http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efp.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFP Overview Page 2 of 3 wide range of environmental finance matters of interest to EPA. It focuses on environmental finance issues at all levels of government, particularly with regard to their impact on local governments and small communities. The Board seeks to increase the total investment in environmental protection by facilitating greater leverage of public and private environmental resources. 2. The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Network is a university-based program providing financial outreach services to regulated communities. The Network consists of nine EFCs that share information and expertise on finance issues and engage jointly in projects. The Network includes (in order of their establishment): the University of New Mexico in Region 6; the University of Maryland in Region 3; Syracuse University in Region 2; California State University at Hayward in Region 9; the Great Lakes EFC at Cleveland State University in Region 5; Boise State University in Idaho located in Region 10; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Region 4; University of Louisville - Center For Environmental Policy & Management in Region 4; and the University of Southern Maine in Region 1. The EFCs educate state and local officials and small businesses on lowering costs of compliance and pollution prevention, increasing investments in environmental protection, improving financial capacity to own/operate environmental systems, encouraging the full cost pricing of environmental services, and identifying and evaluating financing tools and options. 3. The Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) is an outreach service offering electronic access to many types of environmental financing information on financing alternatives for State and local environmental programs and projects. EFIN services include a World Wide Web site, an on-line data base, referrals to an expert contact network, infoline, and distribution of Environmental Finance Program publications and some EPA publications. EFIN also maintains a Web page of Environmental Financial Tools . This page includes tools produced by the Environmental Finance Program, the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB), the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCs), EFIN, EPA Offices and Programs and Other (outside EPA) sources. A key work among the financing mechanisms on this page is the Guidebook of Financial Tools.. The Guidebook is produced by the Environmental Finance Center Network and the Environmental Financial Advisory Board. It is intended as a basic financial reference document for public and private officials with environmental responsibilities. It provides a wealth of valuable information on 340 financing tools that federal, state, and local governments and the private sector can use to pay for environmental programs, systems, and activities. The information is intended to help governments and other parties expand their thinking about the financial options/resources available to help meet important environmental mandates and create sustainable systems. A new edition of the Guidebook is in production and the Environmental Finance Team is actively seeking http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efp.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFP Overview Page3 of 3 submissions for new tools at the Guidebook website . You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (ltx'1''l'"'l''n"'r>l) to view a number of files on this site. For more information about Adobe Acrobat, click here . EFP Brochure in PDF Format. For further information on the Environmental Finance Program and its many products, including the Guidebook, return to the Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/ or contact: efin@epa.gov . See also the list of contacts for the components of the program. EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us Last updated on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2005 URL: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/efp.htm http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efp.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFC Network Page 1 of4 (AS. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Finance Program ) Contact Us Print Version Search: | EFP Overview What's New? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Contact EFP Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) Environmental Finance Center Network Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) Guidebook of Financial Tools Environmental Financial Tools EFP Publications Funding Sources Ask a Question EPA Home > Chief Financial Officer > Environmental Finance Program > Environmental Finance Center Network Environmental Finance Center Network What is the EFC Network? Introduction Services and Capabilities Locate an EFC: List of Regional Environmental Finance Centers What's New? The Environmental Finance Center Network and the Environmental Finance Program of the Office of Enterprise Technology & Innovation are pleased to make available the EFC Network 2004 Annual Report (PDFs) (August 2005). NEW The Environmental Finance Center Network 2005 Overview is now available online. (PDF) (August 2005) NE« Exactly how does the Environmental Finance Center Network help to answer the "How to Pay?" question? These documents can help answer your questions: (PDF) (February 2005). NEW o Environmental Finance Center Network (Fact Sheet), o Environmental Finance Center Network (Brochure) The Environmental Finance Center Network was the subject of an article on the National Drinking Water Clearinghouse's website entitled "Show Me the Money (And How to Manage It): Environmental Finance Centers Explain Fiscal Management." The article decribes the EFC's efforts in the field of environmental finance and provides examples. (December 2003) The Environmental Finance Center at Boise State was recently mentioned on page 21 of the Fall 2003 issue of Boise State University's Focus magazine in the article "Environmental technology helps assure pure water." The article decribes the EFC's research and subsequent national product roll out. The Environmental Finance Center at Boise State, regarding its sussessful research studies, was recently mentioned in the Federal Register, vol. 68, no. 192, pg. 57451. It was noted that "EPA's proposed revised [Small Local Governments Compliance Assistance Policy] policy recommends that States adopt a number of listed capacity measures the Agency has drawn from the studies performed by the EPA's Boise Environmental Finance Center. In the context of measuring the ability of small local governments to implement the http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efc.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFC Network Page 2 of4 requirments of the the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Boise Environmental Finance Center identified a number of factors that influence the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of local governments, (see, http://sspa.boisestate.edu/efc) EPA adapted many of these measures for inclusion into the proposed revised policy, and recommends that States incorporate these measures as appropriate for their local condition." EFC Network Contacts: Environmental Finance Center Network Directory (PDF) (August 2005) EFC Network Annual Reports: EFC Network 2004 Annual Report (PDFs) (August 2005) NEW EFC Network 2003 Annual Report (PDFs) (October 2004) EFC Network 2002 Annual Report (PDFs) (February 2004) EFC Network 2001 Annual Report (PDFs) (October 2002) EFC Network 2000 Annual Report (PDFs) (September 2001) the Annual Reports below have been temporarily removed from the website. If you need access to them please contact EFP. EFC Network 1999 Annual Report EFC Network 1998 Annual Report EFC Network 1997 Annual Report EFC Network 1996 Annual Report EFC Network 1995 Annual Report EFCN Charrettes -A Proven Tool: Series of Charrettes - Region 3 EFC at the University of Maryland Series of Charrettes - Region 9 EFC at California State University, Hayward Common Sense Initiative Access to Capital "Charette" Washington, DC, January 16,1997 Tools and Publications: A primary source for tools (help) is the document A Guidebook of Financial Tools produced by the Environmental Financial Advisory Board and the Environmental Finance Center Network. (PDF) (April 1999 - most recent version) Environmental Finance Center Publications Environmental Financial Tools Environmental Financing Publications INTRODUCTION Environmental goals cannot be met without financing, which is essential to implementing state and local programs, Knowledge about how to fund these programs is often limited, especially at the local level. As a result, there is an unprecedented demand on the expertise of public officials currently on the front lines of financing environmental facilities and services. The EFCs provide state and local officials and small businesses with advisory services; education, publications, and http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efc.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFC Network Page 3 of 4 training; technical assistance; and analyses on financing alternatives. The EFC network currently includes: the University of Southern Maine , Syracuse University , University of Maryland , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Louisville , Great Lakes EFC at Cleveland State University , New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology , California State University at Hayward , and Boise State University . These centers have proven effective vehicles for promoting innovative environmental financing techniques. While EPA provides seed funding for EFC start-up operations, financial independence of the centers is a major objective. SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES EFCs pursue various avenues of education and training such as offering short courses on environmental finance for state and local officials, as well as graduate-level educational courses through regular university curriculum. The EFCs at both the New Mexico Tech and the University of Maryland have developed environmental finance courses for state and local officials and graduate students. Similarly, the University of North Carolina EFC is developing a modular environmental finance training course for use by the Network. The New Mexico Tech EFC provides U.S./Mexican Border Area environmental infrastructure assistance and assessment, and the Boise State University EFC is providing training throughout the national EFC Network on utility rate setting. In addition, EFCs develop and publish case studies about innovative financing techniques, as well as serve as clearinghouses for Regional and state information on environmental financing and program management. EFCs provide technical assistance and analyses to state and local governments and the private sector on managing and financing environmental infrastructure. For example, the Syracuse University EFC is developing case studies on how New York communities prioritize environmental activities using risk and finance considerations. Another important service the Syracuse EFC provides is assisting state and local officials in collaborative planning processes. The New Mexico Tech EFC continues to develop financing strategies for the long-term viability of environmental infrastructure on the U.S.-Mexico border. The California State University at Hayward EFC is dedicated to helping small business by advancing the Environmental goods and services industry and promoting polluting prevention. Among its primary products are the development of public-private partnership models for financing environmental services, emphasizing the participation of small and medium sized businesses. The Great Lakes EFC is focusing on brownfield redevelopment, especially the availability of financing and tools/incentives to spur investment in abandoned industrial and commercial sites. In addition, the Great Lakes EFC is helping Native American communities in Great Lakes states restore ecological balance through the appropriate use of comprehensive community planning, sustainable development, and ecological design techniques. The University of Maryland EFC conducts problem- solving roundtables known as "charrettes" with community representatives to discuss how to pay for environmental services, mandates and projects. The EFC at Boise State University is analyzing drinking water and wastewater systems viability and paying for environmental mandates. http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efc.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFC Network Page 4 of 4 Finally among our newer EFCs, the EFC at the University of North Carolina is designing a finance training course for Network use and is completing a report on wastewater and growth issues in the southeast coastal region of the country. The other Region 4 EFC, located at the University of Louisville, is providing support services to many small and medium-sized water and wastewater facility operators throughout Kentucky. The most recent addition to the Network is the EFC at the University of Southern Maine, which is currently focusing on wastewater treatment challenges in coastal areas of Massachusetts. EFC Brochure in PDF Format. For more information, contact: Vera Hannigan Environmental Finance Program Center Network Coordinator hannigan.vera@epa.gov EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us Last updated on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2005 URL: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/efc.htm http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efc.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFAB Page 1 of4 (AS. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Finance Program ) Contact Us Print Version Search: | EFP Overview What's New? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Contact EFP Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) Environmental Finance Center Network Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) Guidebook of Financial Tools Environmental Financial Tools EFP Publications Funding Sources Ask a Question EPA Home > Chief Financial Officer > Environmental Finance Program > Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) What is EFAB? EFAB is the Environmental Financial Advisory Board. It provides advice to the Environmental Protection Agency's Administrator and Program Offices on "how to pay" questions for environmental protection. Purpose Description, History and Background Who is on the Board? EFAB is a federally chartered advisory committee. Click here for a list of current Environmental Financial Advisory Board Members . The Board operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. t:\ITtl it L-liimrr> What's New? The Environmental Finance Advisory Board's Strategic Action Agenda. Fiscal Years 2005-2006 is now available online. (PDF) (July 2005) NEW The Environmental Protection Agency's response (July 2005) to the Environmental Finance Advisory Board's letter report "Combined Operations of the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds (SRFs):" 1) Cover letter, 2) White Paper, to Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, is now available online. (PDF) (May 2005) NEW The Environmental Financial Advisory Board's Summer 2005 full Board meeting will be held August 15-16, 2005 in San Francisco, CA NEW The Environmental Finance Advisory Board's letter report "Application of Innovative Finance Techniques in the Transportation Infrastructure & Financial Innovation Act of 1998," to Stephen L. Johnson, Acting Administrator, is now available online. (PDF) (March 2005) NEW The Environmental Financial Advisory Board's March 2005 Newsletter is now available online. EFAB Newsletters are meant to provide the public with updates on the progress of the Board with its projects and Strategic Action Agenda. http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efab.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFAB Page 2 of4 The Environmental Protection Agency's response (April 2005) to the Environmental Finance Advisory Board's "Useful Life Financing of Environmental Facilities Letter and Enclosure:" 1) Cover letter, 2) White Paper, to Stephen L. Johnson, Deputy Administrator, is now available online. (PDF) (February 2005) NEW The Environmental Protection Agency's response (March 2005) to the Environmental Finance Advisory Board's "Innovations in Watershed Financing Letter Report," to Stephen L. Johnson, Deputy Administrator, is now available online. (PDF) (January 2005) NEW Presentations from the Environmental Financial Advisory Board's August 2004 workshop on 'affordability' are now available online. (PDFs) (March 2005) NEW Exactly how does the Environmental Financial Advisory Board help to answer the "How to Pay?" question? These documents can help answer your questions: (PDFs) (February 2005). NEW o Environmental Financial Advisory Board (Fact Sheet), o Environmental Financial Advisory Board (Brochure) While supplies last, a limited number of 'A Guidebook of Financial Tools' CDs are now available. To request one, e-mail us. The Environmental Financial Advisory Board's winter 2003 full Board meeting, March 4-5, 2003, minutes are now available online. (PDF) (July 2003) EFAB Publications: I: Chronological Order II: By Subject EFAB Strategic Action Agenda: Fiscal Years 2005-2006 (PDF) NEH Fiscal Years 2004-2005 (PDF) Fiscal Years 2003-2004 (PDF) Fiscal Years 2002-2003 (PDF) Fiscal Years 2001-2002 (PDF) Fiscal Years 2000-2001 Fiscal Years 1999-2000 Get extra help from the Guidebook of Financial Tools! A primary source for tools (help) is the document A Guidebook of Financial Tools produced by the Environmental Financial Advisory Board and the Environmental Finance Center Network. (PDF) (April 1999 - most recent version) PURPOSE http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efab.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFAB Page 3 of 4 Environmental legislation reauthorized or enacted by Congress in recent years has placed significant additional resource requirements on all levels of government, increasing their infrastructure and administrative costs. At the same time, limited budgets and changes in Federal tax laws have constrained traditional sources of capital. Growing needs and expectations for environmental protection, as well as increasing demands in all municipal service areas, make it increasingly difficult for governments to find the resources to meet their needs. The Environmental Financial Advisory Board operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App.2 [sec.] 9(c). The purpose of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board is to provide authoritative analysis and advice to the EPA Administrator on finance issues to assist the Agency in carrying out its environmental mandates. DESCRIPTION, HISTORY, AND BACKGROUND The Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) was chartered in 1989 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) to provide advice and analysis to EPA's Administrator on paying for the growing costs of environmental protection and how to increase investment in environmental infrastructure through the leveraging of public and private resources. EFAB provides EPA with a cross-media, intergovernmental perspective on environmental finance that integrates environmental and economic goals, while emphasizing cost-effective, risk-based approaches and public-private partnerships. The Board has made significant contributions to EPA's efforts to address the critical environmental financing challenges of the 21st Century. EFAB's membership includes prominent experts from all levels of government, including elected officials; the finance and banking communities; business and industry; and national organizations. Board members meet semi-annually; the meetings are open to the public and are announced in the Federal Register. The Board has also produced a number of advisories on important environmental financing issues. The Environmental Financial Advisory Board has adopted three environmental financing goals: Lower the costs of environmental protection by removing financial and programmatic barriers that raise costs and by improving the efficiency of investments needed to close the gap between limited resources and increasing mandates; Increase public and private investment in environmental facilities and services as a spur to sustainable development, job creation, productivity, and tax revenues; and Build state and local financial capacity necessary to carry out environmental mandates so that gains made to date are secured and further environmental progress can be made. EFAB serves a unique role, assisting the EPA in providing a credible and significant response to the increasing concerns over http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efab.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFAB Page 4 of 4 how to pay for federal and state environmental mandates. EFAB's expertise and advice focus on cross-media financing, particularly on the "how to pay" issue of environmental mandates. This is of critical importance as the nation has invested billions of dollars in environmental facilities and programs over the last thirty years. While progress has been made, this work is far from complete. Download the EFAB Brochure in PDF Format. EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us Last updated on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005 URL: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/efab.htm http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efab.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFIN Pagel of 3 (AS. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Finance Program ) Contact Us Print Version Search: | EFP Overview What's New? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Contact EFP Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) Environmental Finance Center Network Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) Guidebook of Financial Tools Environmental Financial Tools EFP Publications Funding Sources Ask a Question EPA Home > Chief Financial Officer Environmental Finance Program> Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) What is EFIN? Purpose Description, History and Background EFIN Contacts: Mailing Address, E-mail Address, Telephone Number and Hours Using EFIN: EFIN Services and Outreach How to Access the EFIN Database EFIN Database - Publication and Case Study Titles EFIN Keyword Index Tools and Publications: A primary source for tools (help) is the document A Guidebook of Financial Tools produced by the Environmental Financial Advisory Board and the Environmental Finance Center Network. (PDF) (April 1999 - most recent version) Environmental Finance Center Publications Environmental Financial Tools Environmental Financing Publications PURPOSE The Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) is one component of the Environmental Finance Program (EFP). The objectives of the Environmental Finance Program are to promote ways to manage the costs of environmental services, to build state and local capacity, increase investment in public and private environmental infrastructure, build partnerships, encourage environmental justice, and lower costs. The purpose of the Environmental Financing Information Network is to provide information on financing alternatives for state and local environmental programs and small businesses. To accomplish this goal of information exchange, the EFIN Center maintains an online database containing abstracts of publications, case studies, and contacts; operates an infoline; and distributes EPA documents on the topic of environmental financing published by the Environmental Finance Program , the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) and the Environmental Finance Centers http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efm.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFIN Page 2 of 3 (EFCs). The EFIN center also manages the Environmental Finance Program's Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage. DESCRIPTION, HISTORY, AND BACKGROUND The Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) provides essential information services needed by state, sub-state, municipal and EPA officials and small business owners involved in funding environmental programs and projects. These information services include maintaining the EFP Web site and the EFIN database, which are the main methods for disseminating information on environmental financing altermatives; an infoline that provides referrals and assistance with locating environmental financing information, and distribution of EPA publications on the topic of environmental finance. The EFIN database is a collection of abstracts representing publications and other relevant materials (articles, case studies, guides, legislation, handbooks, memoranda, reports, proceedings, surveys, papers) that deal with environmental financing. In addition to the basic descriptive information and abstract provided for each publication, each record also includes information on how to obtain the publication described, as well as a point of contact for further reference. The Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN) is managed by the EPA's Environmental Finance Program (EFP), located in the Office of the Comptroller within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The Environmental Finance Program is responsible for three major activities: Managing the Environmental Financing Information Network; Managing the Environmental Finance Center Network , whose regional centers are located at universities around the country; and Managing the activities of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB). The EFIN Center serves the Environmental Financial Advisory Board by abstracting their reports and advisories for the EFIN database and uploading their publications on the Web site. The EFIN Center also supports the Environmental Financing Centers by providing a central focal point for these regional centers, linking them together and allowing them to share information on lessons learned and financing techniques. This includes maintaining contact information for the EFCs on the Web site and uploading some of their publications, such as the Annual Reports. The Environmental Finance Program assumed the management of EFIN in January 1993. The EPA's Office of Water initially had established EFIN in October 1991, as part of EPA's efforts to improve state and local government capacity to implement environmental programs and projects. A number of programs participated in the planning and development of EFIN -the State Revolving Fund, Environmental Finance Program (e.g., public-private partnerships), Small Community Outreach and Education (SCORE), Drinking Water, Solid Waste, Air, and Superfund - as much financing information is general and can be applied across programs and media. http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efm.htm 8/4/2005 ------- EPA/OCFO/EFP/EFIN Page3 of 3 Download the EFIN Brochure in PDF Format. MAILING ADDRESS, E-MAIL ADDRESS, INFOLINE NUMBER, AND HOURS Contact the EFIN Center: US EPA Environmental Financing Information Network, (Mail Code) 2731R Ariel Rios Building 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C 20460 Web site: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/ Electronic mail: efin@epa.gov Infoline: (202) 564-4994 FAX: (202) 565-2587 Hours: 8:30am -5:00pm (eastern standard time) Monday-Friday Sponsoring Office: Environmental Finance Program, Office of the Comptroller, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, U.S. EPA Project Officer: Vera Hannigan hannigan.vera@epa.gov Internet Librarian: (ASRC Aerospace Corp., contractor) efin@epa.gov EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us Last updated on Monday, March 21st, 2005 URL: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/efin.htm http://www.epa.gov/efmpage/efm.htm 8/4/2005 ------- |