Partnership for Sustainable Communities:
Recent Regional Accomplishments Q4
-v.\F.Nr0/C
ui
3 l
I
¦ &
^ &l*4fySrr
6/>n
On October 26tn and 27m, 2011, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened a national virtual forum on the
Partnership for Sustainable Communities (PSC). Part 1 was a national webinar with messages from leadership as
well as presentations from Regions 4 and 5 (Southeast and Midwest). Part 2 provided an opportunity for regional
staff to meet within their regions with a common agenda, to discuss topics such as: grantee engagement, regional
partnership work plans, and goals and challenges. Finally, in Part 3, each region provided a brief summary of their
meetings and discussed next steps. Some regional engagement milestones and successes between October and
December, 2011 include:
Improving Communication
Regional offices have been working hard to improve communication amongst federal agencies, between federal
agencies and partners, and amongst partners. Region 3 FHWA conducted outreach to the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to discuss becoming potential partners in livability and sustainability. Region 9 EPA delivered a
presentation on tribal sustainable development programs and practices during the Region 9 Annual Tribal
Environmental Conference. Region 8 presented to individuals from the city of Rapid City, SD and surrounding
communities to discuss sustainability and provide information on HUD's sustainable grant program.
Technical Assistance to Communities
Regional offices continue to provide various forms of technical assistance to partners and communities. Region 6
EPA is providing targeted Brownfields Assessment assistance to the Westside Neighborhood Redevelopment in Port
Arthur, TX, and is coordinating with HUD and DOT regional partners to identify resources and assistance to support
additional affordable housing and transportation options around the future health clinic. Region 1 is coordinating
with the University of Maine to provide GIS classes for the HUD grantee, Northern Maine Development Commission,
to assist rural municipalities in mapping sea level rise as well as potential future development.
New Programs/Initiatives
Regional offices have developed several new projects and innovations. Region 2 EPA initiated an effort to analyze
and identify systemic problems and best practices with federal funding for communities. The project is divided into
several phases. A GIS workgroup was formed to begin compiling the necessary data and identify past problems and
best practices with regard to leveraging funds. Region 10 representatives from HUD, EPA, USDA-RD and the Idaho
Department of Commerce met on December 2, 2011 to discuss the Environmental Review (ER) process. The
agencies discussed areas where interagency collaboration could: streamline and standardize the process; reduce
duplication of effort; and account for multi-agency funding considerations.
-------
Partnership for Sustainable Communities:
Recent Regional Accomplishments Q4
ccf
3 ~
%
¦ ^
6/>n
OR
ID
NV
OA
UT
AZ
ED C>|
Guam i
Trust Territories
American Samoa
Northern Mariana
Islands
MT
L A AK 1
" PR
- —«
Region 1 - Co-hosted the New England Smart Growth Leadership Forum: Putting Sustainability into Practice.
Region 2 - Initiated an effort to analyze best practices and systemic problems with federal funding for
communities.
Region 3 - Is providing technical assistance to the Charles Town-Ranson community, which has been selected
by the Partnership to serve as a national model for how small rural cities can foster livability.
Region 4 - Held a virtual forum which included FEMA, HRSA, DOL and the COE.
Region 5 - Assisted the City of Moline, IL on a multi-modal transit station project and historic redevelopment
on a brownfield site.
Region 6 - Conducted outreach to DOL, bringing them into the regional Partnership.
Region 7 - Held a regional strategic planning session with EPA, HUD, FHWA, FTA, HHS and USDA RD.
Region 8 - Jointly sponsored a workshop on transportation strategies for livable communities in Wyoming.
Region 9 - Delivered a presentation on tribal sustainable development programs and practices.
Region 10 - Developed a demonstration model for collaborative engagement among federal partners.
------- |