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Towards a Sustainable America: Advancing Prosperity, Opportunity, and a Healthy Environment for the 21st Century

http://clinton2.nara.gov/PCSD/Publications/tsa.pdf

Released at the National Town Meeting for a Sustainable America in May, this new report from the President's Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD)

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SMART GROWTH FOR TENNESSEE TOWNS AND COUNTIES: A PROCESS GUIDE

http://eerc.ra.utk.edu//smart.htm

This guide summarizes the basic steps in a smart growth visioning and planning process. It reviews techniques that can be used at each step; it analyzes computer-based tools to aid the process; and it discusses indicators, a popular low-tech means of assessing community change. The guide includes two short case studies and an extensive list of resources: print (articles, books, and guides) and non-print (Internet sites and organizations). The guide should be useful to planners, private citizens, and officials who are looking for ideas about how to carry out a smart growth visioning and planning process. It is intended especially for communities that need to plan for change but must do so with limited staffs and budgets. Available in both PDF and HTML formats.

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Community Development: Extent of Federal Influence on "Urban Sprawl" Is Unclear

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/rc99087.pdf

A recent report from the U.S. General Accounting Office on urban sprawl.

(Publication # RCED-99-87; 39 pages plus 6 appendices; April 30, 1999)

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Hot sustainable development issues for the new Millennium

http://iisd1.iisd.ca/didigest/jan99/default.htm

Featured in the January / February 1999 issue of the "Developing Ideas Digest," published by the International Institute for sustainable Development (IISD). Presents a list of what IISD thinks are the 10 hot sustainable development issues for the next millennium. Each of the 10 issues is briefly described from a sustainable development perspective -- why it is compelling and why urgent action is needed. The first five articles -- Consumption Juggernaut, Bottom-line Production, Megafootprints, Trade Blocks and Risky Existence -- summarize the forces that derail sustainable development, the everyday human activities that cause rapid and far-reaching change. The next set of five articles -- Biodiversity, Freshwater, Food Systems, Climate Change and Human Health -- show how these forces affect both us and the natural world and why urgent responses are essential now. The last two articles -- Better Governance and Financing Change -- examine solutions that although sweeping in approach can potentially make a big difference.

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Liveable Communities: An Evaluation Guide

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has recently released "Liveable Communities: An Evaluation Guide". This guide provides residents, organizations, and local governments with a tool to assess a community's liveability, as well as with resources and strategies used around the country to help increase liveability.

To receive a copy of this guide free of charge, contact the Consumer Team at the AARP Public Policy Institute at 202 / 434-3910.

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National Building Museum Announces Growth Exhibit

http://www.nbm.org/Exhibits/Future_Exhibits.html

"Where Do We Go From Here? Smart Growth and Choices for Change" is the first of a four-part exhibition series examining alternatives to current patterns of development. This first show will provide an overview of the causes of sprawl and the ways in which smart growth principles can accommodate development while preserving community character, protecting the environment, and encouraging stable local economies.

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HANDBOOK FOR WETLANDS CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

http://www.iwla.org/SOS/wetland.html

This 288-page publication is filled with information about unique features of wetland ecosystems, such as soil types, hydrology and hydrophytic (water-loving) plant species. The handbook describes options for starting a wetland stewardship program including monitoring, education and restoration projects. Information on wetland types, classification, functions and values was added to the second edition, along with more case studies to provide examples of volunteer conservation efforts nationwide.

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Call for Entries: Ahwahnee Awards

http://www.lgc.org/clc/ahwahnee/awards.html

The 1999 Ahwahnee Awards will be presented by the Local Government Commission's Center for Livable Communities, The American Institute of Architects, California Council and The California Chapter of the American Planning Association to recognize exemplary projects that further the creation of more livable, pedestrian-oriented and transit-based communities in one of the 14 western U.S. states. Named in honor of the Ahwahnee Principles, these awards recognize projects and programs that are creating a better quality of life for residents and for the region as a whole. Request for Entry Materials form due by July 23, 1999.

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Sustainable Conservation

http://www.suscon.org

Sustainable Conservation was formed in 1992 by Frank Boren, a businessman and past president of The Nature Conservancy, to begin turning the concept of sustainability into real, tangible projects that engage and leverage the resources of the private sector. Areas of expertise include habitat preservation, wetlands restoration, and reduction of point and non-point source pollution. Over the last few years Sustainable Conservation has been "testing" private sector incentives and capabilities in the context of numerous "on-the-ground" projects. These projects fall into three major areas: Conservation on Working Landscapes, Conservation Based Land Development, and Conservation through Innovative Partnerships.

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Institute for Sustainable Development at Long Island University

http://www.liunet.edu/sustain/sustain.html

The mission is to promote Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) on Long Island through research, education, and structural reform. Ecologically Sustainable Development is development within the carrying capacity of the environment. The Institute promotes the idea that ecological and social problems are intertwined and should be solved as democratically and as locally as is feasible. The Institute will focus on projects that:

• Reorient growth to neighborhood centers and "downtowns";
• Calculate the real costs and benefits of all "development";
• Connect lower income populations to jobs, services, and education;
• Protect and enhance the quality of community life and public infrastructure; and
• Create local centers on sustainability throughout Long Island.

The Institute has developed an initial set of sustainability indicators for the City of Glen Cove, NY. Its intention is to develop these for application to the entire Island. It will then gather and publish the data on a regular basis in order to educate the public and politician's about sustainability, and provide a yardstick by which the Island's development can be assessed.

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EPA Launches "Mayors' Desk"

http://www.epa.gov/mayors/

The Mayors Desk was created by EPA to serve as a one-stop shop for mayors who have questions about EPA programs, policies and procedures. EPA recognizes the critical role that mayors play in the development of local programs and policies to protect the environment and the public health.

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Watershed Information Network

http://www.epa.gov/win/

Billed as a "roadmap to information and resources for protecting and restoring water resources," this site is an excellent starting point in learning about watersheds. The site provides answers to some basic questions about watersheds, including:

• What is a watershed?
• What is my watershed address?
• What is the health of my watershed?
• What data and maps are available?
• How do I start a watershed team?
• How can I get involved in my watershed?
• What financial, technical and hands-on assistance is available?
• What are the basic laws related to water?

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Uncovering Value: Integrating Environmental and Financial Performance

http://www.aspeninst.org/dir/polpro/eee/ny/eeenyrep.pdf

Prepared by a diverse group of corporate, financial, governmental and environmental officers, the report aims to bring to the attention of corporate and financial decision makers the important linkages between strategic business decisions and environmental performance.

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Protecting Sources of Drinking Water: Case Studies in Watershed Management

http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/swp/cstudy.html

The main goal of any drinking water supplier is to provide safe and reliable water to the consumer. However, meeting this goal is becoming more complex with the impacts of external factors such as increasing populations, the declining quality of the water sources, and the discovery of new threats to human health in rivers, streams and aquifers. Municipal water suppliers are looking outward to solutions, partnering with local community members and pollution control programs to implement local management strategies to maintain or improve the quality of their water sources. Rather than waiting for the waters to be beyond repair and require more expensive treatment and rehabilitation, they see value in protecting the source. This report features seventeen drinking water suppliers who share their experiences of engaging in watershed management efforts as part of their day-to-day business of providing safe drinking water to the public.

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VIDEO ON CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS FOR MANAGING STORMWATER RUNOFF

America's water continues to be adversely impacted by many sources of pollution. Impermeable surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, increase stormwater runoff which accelerates erosion and downstream flooding. This runoff transports contaminants such as sediments, nutrients, road salts, oils and pathogens to rivers and lakes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, silt and nutrients were the top two pollutants in their last "Assessment of U. S. Rivers." A new Cornell Cooperative Extension video, "Use of Constructed Wetlands for Stormwater Runoff," shows developers, natural resource managers, community planners, educators and the general public how properly constructed wetlands moderate flow extremes and improve water quality. Added benefits include enhanced groundwater recharge, aesthetic appeal, and the creation of wildlife habitat.

The 20-minute program:

• shows how wetlands function to reduce pollution,
• explains appropriate design elements,
• highlights success stories, and
• suggests sources of assistance for planning and constructing a wetland.

Produced by the Department of Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. Funding provided by EPA Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program. The video is available through The Resource Center, Cornell University, PO Box 3884, Ithaca, NY 14852-3884, and is $27.95 plus 5.00 shipping. The video is also available thorugh the Cornell University web bookstore: http://www.cce.cornell.edu/store/customer/product.php?productid=16250&cat=&page=1

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Home Energy Checkup / Business Energy Checkup

http://www.ase.org/checkup/home/

http://www.ase.org/checkup/business/

The Home Energy Checkup is a guide to saving money and increasing comfort in your home while reducing energy use and pollution at the same time! You can select from among 14 kinds

of energy efficiency choices, see how much money and pollution you can save, find out where to get energy efficient products, and get tips on how to act on your choices.

The Business Energy Checkup allows you to estimate the energy, economic, and pollution savings associated with efficiency upgrades in commercial facilities.

The Energy Checkups are also available at no cost as a stand-alone software program that you can download and run on your Windows or Macintosh computer. It has an interactive interface and includes features not available on the online version. You can purchase a CD-ROM copy of "Energy Efficiency Connection", which includes the Home Energy Checkup and the Business Energy Checkup. It will run on Macintosh or Windows machines. The Energy Efficiency Connection costs $15 + $6 S&H. To order, call 888 / 44CREST.

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Power$mart: Easy Tips to Save Money and the Planet

http://www.ase.org/powersmart/index.html

Life can be overwhelming with all the "shoulds" ­ things we're supposed to do like eating the right foods, creating a balanced "work-school-home-play" life, and doing something about major issues facing the world and our community. Sometimes it seems like too much. So why bother with one more thing? Because one thing ­ energy efficiency ­ creates three positive benefits at once for you and the planet:

• Cuts your home utility bills so you have extra money to spend on other things.
• Increases your comfort.
• Reduces pollution.

And, it's easy. When you choose energy-efficient technologies and products for your home, you can relax while they continue producing these benefits for you day after day, year after year. Walk through animated energy efficiency tips in Power$mart: Easy Tips to Save Money and the Planet.

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The State Vs. Sprawl: Will Maryland's Experiment Work?

http://www.governing.com/

By Rob Gurwitt

Governing Magazine, January 1999

An interesting look at Maryland "bold experiment in growth control."

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SPRAWL BY THE NUMBERS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

The featured topic in the February 1999 issue of the "PAS Memo", published by the American Planning Association. Provides an overview of major national studies and literature reviews of costs related to sprawl. A follow-up article in the March 1999 issue presents the findings of fiscal impact studies conducted by or for state, regional, and local agencies.

The "PAS Memo" is available only to subscribers of APA's Planning Advisory Service. Contact your local or regional planning agency to view a copy of these issues.

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STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The featured topic in the December 1998 issue of the "Public Investment" newsletter, a special quarterly edition of the "PAS Memo", published by the American Planning Association.

Authored by Margaret Thomas of the Midwest Research Institute, the article discusses the concept of sustainable economic development and identifies five strategies that "create jobs, retain dollars in a local area, and enhance the environment."

The "PAS Memo" is available only to subscribers of APA's Planning Advisory Service. Contact your local or regional planning agency to view a copy of this issue.

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National Atlas of the United States of America

http://www-atlas.usgs.gov

The National Atlas of the U.S. is designed to promote greater geographic awareness and better understanding of the environmental, resource, demographic, economic, social, political and historic dimensions of American life. Easy to use, map-like views of natural and socio-cultural landscapes are designed to serve the interests and needs of kids and adults as an essential reference, a framework for information discovery, an instrument of education, an aid in research and an accurate and reliable source for scientific information. The Atlas Maps section allows visitors to design and explore a map, or view interactive multimedia maps of environmental, resource, demographic, economic, social, political and historic data such as soils, boundaries, volcanoes and principal aquifers, crime patterns, population distribution and incidence of disease. Visitors can layer these data to create customized products to suit their needs.

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APA POLICY GUIDE ON SUSTAINABILITY

http://www.planning.org/govt/sustdvpg.htm

Patterns of human development - physical, social, and economic - affect global sustainability. Planning is integrally related to defining how, where, and when human societies develop. Planners can play a crucial role in improving the sustainability of communities and the resources that support these. By improving the sustainability of individual communities and regions, planners can also contribute to increased sustainability of global systems. (Revised April1999)

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Planning Reports Center

http://www.planningreports.com

Scheduled to open June 28, 1999, the Planning Reports Center is a new project of Planner's Web, publisher of the "Planning Commissioner's Journal." The Center will provide information about reports, fact sheets, ordinances, and other planning-related written material from across the country ­ and the ability to order reports quickly and at low cost. Access the site for a sneak preview.

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Guidebook of Financial Tools: Paying for Sustainable Environmental Systems

http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/guidbk98/index.htm

This updated edition of the Guidebook features 340 tools for governments and the private sector to use to pay for environmental programs, systems and activities.

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Redeveloping Brownfields: A Step-by-Step Project Decision-Making Guide for Environmental, Development, and Planning Practitioners

http://www.csuohio.edu/glefc/

Developed by the Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center at Cleveland State University, the guidebook is intended to be a working tool for communities in the Great Lakes regions. It is also useful for any community and state working on brownfield issues.

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Tracking Trends That Affect Communities

http://www.plannersweb.com/trends.html

Over the past nine years, the "Planning Commissioners Journal" (PCJ) has covered many of the emerging trends in planning. Its new "Tracking Trends" website provides excerpts from a number of past PCJ articles, along with selected links to other useful material available on the Web. The nine trends highlight reflect PCJ's editorial judgement, and are not based on survey or questionnaire results. For the most part, the trends PCJ has selected represent what it considers positive planning-related developments.

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EPA Technical Information Packages

http://www.epa.gov/oia/tips/

These packages focus on key environmental and public health issues being investigated by the EPA. The products highlighted within these packages provide a sound technical basis for decisions regarding the development of environmental policy, abatement activities, and pollution prevention.

Packages include:

• Ensuring safe drinking water
• Water quality
• Pesticide use and disposal;
• Small community wastewater systems;
• Solid waste management
• Hazardous waste management

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Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes and Practices

http://www.usda.gov/stream_restoration/

A 700-page guide to planning, designing and implementing stream restoration techniques co-authored by experts from 15 federal agencies. (The final draft was recently released.)

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Better America Bonds

http://www.epa.gov/bonds/

A component of the Clinton Administration's "Livability Agenda," Better America Bonds are intended to provide states and local communities tools they can use to create healthy, livable communities and thriving economies. These bonds will generate $9.5 billion in bond authority to preserve open space, protect water quality and clean up brownfields. Communities will pay zero interest and the principal is due in 15 years. Bond holders would receive tax credits from the federal government equal to the amount of interest they would have received from the communities. Bonding authority will be distributed directly to the communities through a competitive process.

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God's Last Offer: Negotiating for a Sustainable Future

http://www.fourwallseightwindows.com/bookayres1.html

Authored by Ed Ayres, Editorial Director of the World Watch Institute, this book "identifies the dangerously intertwined megaphenomena that are altering life on Earth: rise of carbon gas emissions, rate of biological extinctions, unsustainable consumption, and exploding human population."

(April 1999, 357 pages, Four Walls Eight Windows, ISBN 1568581254)

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UNDER THE BLADE: THE CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES

Released late last year, this book examines the patterns, causes and consequences of current land use decisions in the U.S. It examines farmland loss from several perspectives, and then integrates the results into policy recommendations. Edited by Richard Olson (U. of Nebraska) and Thomas Lyson (Cornell U.)

Available for $25 from: Westview Press, 5500 Central Ave., Boulder CO 80301-2877; 303 / 444-3541. To order a $5 course examination copy, call 1-800-386-5656.

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Crossing the Threshold: Early Signs of an Environmental Awakening

http://www.worldwatch.org/mag/1999/99-2c.pdf

By Lester R. Brown, WorldWatch Institute

Worldwatch Magazine, March/April 1999

Brown sees signs that the world may be approaching the threshold of a sweeping change in the way we respond to environmental threats -- a social threshold that, once crossed, could change our outlook as profoundly as the one that in 1989 and 1990 led to a political restructuring in Eastern Europe. He argues

that we need a rapid shift in consciousness, a dawning awareness in people everywhere that we have to shift quickly to a sustainable economy. Brown believes there are clear signs that change is happening and he provides examples of shifting views in energy, transportation, materials use, population, corporate and government policies.

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Conservation Options for Landowners: A Guide to the Tools and Benefits of Protecting Natural Areas on Private Land

http://www.sonoran.org/library/options.html

Published in 1998 by the Rincon Institute, this guidebook provides an overview of various land protection options available to private landowners as well as the planning process needed to select an appropriate conservation strategy. A wide range of land protection tools are explored, including conservation easements, donation options, limited development, conditional transfers, and deeds restrictions. The tax advantages, conservation benefits, and relative merit of each option are discussed. The guidebook also provides case studies that explain a number of conservation mechanisms as well as helpful appendices.

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The Clean Water Act: An Owner's Manual

http://www.rivernetwork.org

At last, here is a comprehensive manual for people who want to clean up their rivers, streams and watersheds. This down-to-earth, information-packed book explains crucial sections of the Clean Water Act, points out how to get involved in regulatory decisions, and tells the stories of others who've done so. Packed with references, web sites and other resources, this manual turns legalese and scientific terminology into language you can use. (1999, 160 pages, $27)

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Other publications from the River Network:

• How to Save a River
• Starting Up: A Handbook for New River and Watershed Organizations
• Directory of Funding Sources for Grassroots River and Watershed Conservation Groups
• River Talk: Communicating a Watershed Message

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New Videos on Ecological Economics

http://www.griesingerfilms.com/

Griesinger Films recently released a series of videos that express the fundamental concepts of sustainability in the language of economics. Featuring world renowned authors, scholars, and scientists, these colorful, 45-minute documentaries "capture the revolution in thinking that is reinventing economics as we know it."

The videos include:

• An Introduction to Ecological Economics,
• Investing In Natural Capital, and
• Conversation for a Sustainable Society.

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The Economic Benefits of Integrating

Natural Open Space into Land Development

http://www.sonoran.org/library/integrating.html

This pamphlet is designed to be an introduction to the potential economic advantages associated with integrating natural open space into land development. Brief case studies of successful developments that have preserved natural open space highlight the benefits associated with this type of development approach, including higher sales prices and rates of sale, lower infrastructure costs, and others. A list of resources and contact information are also provided.

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