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N e w s l e t t e r
July 2019
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URBAN TREE FUNDING GUIDEBOOK RELEASED
EFC and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
recently released
Financing Urban Tree Canopy Programs: Guidebook for Local Governments in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
. This new resource is the result of a year-long collaboration between EFC and the Alliance, along with additional partners including the USDA Forest Service, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), and the Chesapeake Bay Program Forestry Workgroup. It draws on input from representatives of local and state government from every jurisdiction in the Bay Watershed.
The Guidebook provides practical strategies to fund municipal tree planting and maintenance activities. It describes various urban tree funding options that may be available to local governments, from general fund revenue and compensatory payments to stormwater fee proceeds and adopt-a-street programs. The Guidebook also features stories from cities and towns across the Watershed that are implementing cost-saving ideas and revenue-generating approaches to foster thriving community forests.
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GETTING THE
MOST FOR MARYLAND BLACK MAYORS
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Networking with local service providers at Maryland Black Mayors event
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EFC, in partnership with Maryland Black Mayors, Inc. (MBM), completed the training portion of the
Getting the MOST for Maryland Black Mayors program in early June. The training program
educated and connected MBM elected officials and staff with stormwater management solutions through in-person workshops, MOST Center's online courses, facilitated peer-to-peer discussion forums, and matchmaking with local watershed groups and technical service providers. Nine service providers delivered one-on-one counseling to mayors and their staff to ensure they were prepared to make informed decisions regarding their community's stormwater action plans. Over the summer EFC will continue to work with these municipalities as they finalize their stormwater action plans, which will identify potential implementation and outreach projects, funding opportunities, and other resources and partnerships.
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DIG ONCE: NEW MOST COURSE LAUNCHED
As communities across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed face challenges with regulatory compliance, growth, flooding, and maintaining existing infrastructure, significant capital investments in stormwater infrastructure are required. Green infrastructure is a preferred stormwater best management practice that can achieve multiple benefits and yield a positive return on investment. This course outlines strategies for integrating green infrastructure practices into capital projects such as roads, utilities, parks, and schools. By utilizing this "dig once" approach, communities can achieve more cost-effective solutions and accelerate the implementation of sustainable landscape practices. This course covers the actions communities must take to institutionalize the "dig once" concept.
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EFC ADDRESSING WATER QUALITY IN DE, NJ, PA
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PA Governor Tom Wolf, DE Governor John Carney, and NJ Governor Phil Murphy
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On May 16 the governors of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania signed a proclamation committing to work together to make the Delaware River basin a national model for sustainability by partnering with public and private stakeholders to restore the basin's natural resources. The
Delaware River Governors' Leadership Summit in Philadelphia marked the first time since the signing of the Delaware River Basin Commission Compact in 1961 that the governors of the three states
have met to discuss issues related to the river and its watershed.
The EFC is partnering with several organizations in the Delaware River basin to address water quality challenges. We support the
Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership, which includes 13 municipalities working together to address stormwater impacts. We work with White Clay Creek Watershed Association's
Wild & Scenic Program and municipalities in that watershed to address sediment and nutrient issues from stormwater runoff. EFC also partners with
River Network to provide water policy training to citizen science volunteers and to support advocacy on water quality issues throughout the Delaware River watershed. The governors' proclamation will help sustain and grow this important work.
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REPORT FROM MANAGED RETREAT CONFERENCE
EFC's Stephanie Dalke attended the
"At What Point Managed Retreat? Resilience Building in the Coastal Zone" conference, which was organized by the
Climate Adaptation Initiative of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Sessions focused on questions regarding if, when, and how to relocate communities at risk due to sea level rise and other climate change impacts.
Speakers addressed a wide variety of topics, including risk and vulnerability, adaptive capacity, insurance, environmental justice, buyouts, decision-making processes, legal issues, real estate, communication and engagement challenges. Many speakers emphasized the need to empower communities, particularly marginalized groups, to make decisions about relocation. Overall, it was clear that climate change will exacerbate preexisting inequalities, as well as current flaws in our development patterns, governance systems, and economy.
The agenda, abstracts, and a recording of the opening panel session are available on the conference website
here. For more information on EFC's resiliency work, please email
spdalke@umd.edu
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MOCO STORMWATER SUMMIT FEATURED ON
LOCAL PODCAST
EFC'S Michelle Kokolis was interviewed about our recent Montgomery County Stormwater Summit for Homeowners by the People Downtown Silver Spring podcast host Ade Toye. Check out the interview here, starting at 37:20. And learn more about the program here.
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FOLLOW EFC ON SOCIAL MEDIA
 You can follow EFC and some of our programs on social media: EFC is on Twitter @EFCUMD, Sustainable Maryland is on Facebook, and the Municipal Online Stormwater Center (MOST) is on Twitter @TheMOSTCenter
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The Environmental Finance Center's
supporters include:
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