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SWRPC |
November 2009 |
| Commission Highlights |
Vol. 15 - No. 10 |
DOT Announces 2009-2010 Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Funding Round
The NH Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced the opening of the 2009-2010 round of federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds for the state of New Hampshire. The program is a source of funds for surface transportation and other related projects that contribute to air quality improvements and reduce congestion. Funds are available for projects that will have an impact on parts of New Hampshire that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (non-attainment areas). Non-attainment areas in New Hampshire include a contiguous area that contains major cities of Manchester, Nashua and Portsmouth and eastern Hillsborough County as far west as Goffstown, Bedford, Amherst, Milford and Brookline. Projects physically located outside of the non-attainment area are eligible but must demonstrate the project will provide benefits within the eligible areas. For example, a park and ride lot outside of the attainment area may qualify for CMAQ funds if the applicant can demonstrate that parking lot users are being diverted from traveling and contributing to congestion and air quality issues in the non-attainment area. In order to be eligible to apply for funding through the CMAQ Program, applicants must submit a brief, non-binding letter of interest to the DOT and the Planning Commission by 12:00 p.m. on January 8, 2010. For more information about the CMAQ program, please contact J. B. Mack of Commission staff or visit http://www.nh.gov/dot/ and look for the TE/CMAQ quicklink.
Session for Local Energy Committees
The Planning Commission will be hosting a gathering of local energy committees from across the Region on December 10, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Dublin Public Library. This meeting will be a time for local energy committee members to share information and ideas; provide an update on past and future projects and programs; and, discuss potential opportunities for collaboration. Dick Ober, Chairman of the New Hampshire Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy (EESE) Board, will be in attendance to provide an overview of what is happening at the state and regional level regarding energy programs. In addition, those in attendance will have the opportunity to assist Cool Monadnock with the creation of an Energy and Climate Action Plan for the Monadnock Region. For more information, please contact Tara Germond of Commission staff.
2009 National Brownfields Conference
On November 16-17, Planning Commission staff attended the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2009 National Brownfields Conference in New Orleans, LA. This annual event was designed to bring together the full spectrum of stakeholders engaged in assessing, cleaning up and reusing contaminated commercial and industrial properties. Staff attended sessions on a diverse range of topics related to the economics of brownfields redevelopment in rural communities, green infrastructure in brownfields redevelopment, how the real estate downturn can boost sustainability at brownfields sites, building brownfields inventories, potential U.S. Housing and Urban Development housing grant sources and opportunities, and conducting health monitoring studies. Staff also attended the EPA Region 1 Open House, designed to meet and network with EPA Region 1 Brownfields Program Staff. For more information, please contact Eric R. Smith, AICP or J. B. Mack of Commission staff.
New Hampshire Joint Water and Watershed Conference
On November 20-21, staff attended the New Hampshire Joint Water and Watershed Conference at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH. This two-day event was designed to meet the information and networking needs of lake, river, and watershed groups; environmental organizations; volunteer monitors; municipal board and staff members; elected officials; local and regional planners; policy makers; scientists; educators; consultants, and students. Staff attended sessions on a diverse range of topics related to stormwater management, climate change, water infrastructure, watershed management, and land use/land conservation. For more information, please contact Tara Germond or Rebeckah Bullock of Commission staff.
Community Development Block Grant Implementation Workshop
On November 18th Planning Commission staff attended the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Implementation Workshop hosted by the NH Community Development Finance Authority at the Local Government Center in Concord, NH. The workshop covered the following CDBG topics: municipal adoptions/approvals, environmental reviews, subrecipient agreements and monitoring, procurement, financial management, construction management, municipal responsibilities, housing rehabilitation, acquisition and relocation, and job counting. For more information about the workshop, please contact Rebeckah Bullock of Commission staff.
Upcoming Workshop on Forest Pests
A workshop entitled, Emerging Forest Pests - What Towns Need to Know to Protect Their Forests, is being conducted on Friday, December 11, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The session will be held at the Keene Recreational Center, 312 Washington Street, Room 14. Staff from the NH Division of Forest and Lands, and the Cheshire County UNH Cooperative Extension will present an informative session about the forest pests that are threatening trees in our Region. Pests such as the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid will be discussed. The topics covered will include: identification, pest signs and symptoms, life cycles, and pest control and eradication. This is a free workshop, but registration is suggested. Please call 352-4550 for registration and questions.
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Southwest Region Planning Commission
20 Central Square, 2nd Floor, Keene, NH 03431
Ph: (603) 357-0557, Fax: (603) 357-7440
General E-mail: admin@swrpc.org
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