2017 EPA Brownfields Conference     Source: SRPC
Planning

Principal planner Kyle Pimental attended the 2018 State of Our Estuaries Conference on Friday, Dec. 8. The conference served as a release party for the 2018 edition of the "State of Our Estuaries" report, which is updated every five years. The report's authors were on hand to highlight key findings and new sections including a new salt marsh indicator, three new social indicators that connect human and social data to the biological data, and an interactive website.

The event included panel sessions on topics such as investing in infrastructure, leading grassroots change efforts in support of our water resources, and reviews of indicators in the plan such as pressure, condition, and social indicators.

Once posted online, the "2018 State of Our Estuaries Report" will be available at:

http://prepestuaries.org/science-research/about-the-state-of-our-estuaries/2018-state-of-our-estuaries/ 

Learn more at http://prepestuaries.org/  


Pieces of Interest
   
 
Transportation

Colin Lentz, regional transportation planner, attended two meetings of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT) in early December. A public hearing was hosted by Councilor Russell Prescott on Monday, Dec. 4, to receive input on a proposed toll increase. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) developed the proposal at the request of GACIT. A new toll rate structure and a plan for E-Z pass customers was proposed, which would increase toll revenue by 27 percent, or $36 million dollars per year. The additional revenue would be used to improve the Turnpike System. 
 
State senators and representatives, small business owners, freight haulers, and New Hampshire residents provided nearly two hours of public comments to inform the Executive Councilors as they review and debate the proposal in the coming weeks.
 
On Wednesday, Dec. 6, GACIT held another meeting to discuss the proposed toll increase and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) projects that were recently scored by NHDOT for inclusion in the draft Ten Year Plan. All five members of GACIT, staff from NHDOT and regional planning commissions, and representatives from several municipalities were in attendance.
 
The GACIT will next meet on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at NHDOT in Concord. Councilors will vote on the recommendations it will make to the governor on the proposed toll increase and the draft Ten Year Plan.
 
For more information visit:
 


Pieces of Interest
 
Economic Development

James Burdin, regional economic development planner, attended the EPA Brownfields conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., during the week of Dec. 4. This conference is "the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing formerly utilized commercial and industrial properties."[1] 

The conference included several education sessions and mobile workshops, and it highlighted brownfields-related efforts in Pittsburg.
 
James' attendance at the conference will help expand the Strafford Economic Development District's knowledge of the Brownfields program, which will support the continued success of our Brownfields program and provide useful insights for future Brownfields funding applications.

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[1]  https://www.brownfields2017.org/about/conference-overview/






Strafford Regional Planning Commission | 603-994-3500 | srpc@strafford.org | www.strafford.org


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