Smart Green & Clean Caucus Ny

Smart, Green and Clean: 21 Century Water Management in the Great Lakes st

A Clean Water Network Regional Caucus Co-Sponsored by Citizens Campaign for the Environment and Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper With Support from the NY Environmental Facilities Corporation Hyatt Regency Buffalo, Buffalo, New York October 22-23, 2009 Draft Agenda 10/5/09 Thursday, October 22, 2009 8:00 – 9:00 am

Registration and Breakfast

9:00 – 9:45 am

Brief Introductions; Welcome & Overview

Paul Schwartz, Clean Water Action Ed Clerico, AquaPoint, Inc. (Invited)

Paul & Ed will provide a framework for our discussions; what should 21st Century Water Management in the Great Lakes look like? 9:45 – 11:00 am

The Multiple Benefits of Green Infrastructure

Nancy Stoner, Natural Resources Defense Council Steve Wise, Center for Neighborhood Technology Michael Ports, PE, PH, D. WRE, Bergmann Associates

In addition to water quality benefits, Nancy Stoner will discuss the many benefits of green infrastructure (green jobs, community benefits, economic benefits, public health benefits, GHG reduction, etc.) Steve Wise will discuss the results of a recent

green infrastructure data quantification and assessment study completed by CNT. Michael Ports will discuss the technical aspects of advanced drainage concepts using green infrastructure. Moderator: Jennifer Peters, Clean Water Network 11:00 – 11:15 am

Break

11:15 – 12:30 pm

Smart, Green & Clean Approaches to Water Management from the “Top Down” Federal Programs and Financing Opportunities

Jenny Molloy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wastewater Management Matt Millea, Environmental Facilities Corporation Sara Pesek, Center for Excellence

Jenny Molloy will provide an overview of the U.S. EPA’s green infrastructure program with a focus on opportunities for communities in the Great Lakes. Michael Millea will discuss funding approaches through the SRF for green infrastructure. Sara Pesek will discuss what communities can do to secure funding for green infrastructure projects. Moderator: Katherine Baer, American Rivers 12:30 – 1:30 pm

Lunch/Networking Break (provided by CWN)

1:45 – 3:15 pm

Smart, Green & Clean Approaches to Water Management from the “Top Down” Federal Legislative Vehicles

Katherine Baer, American Rivers Paul Schwartz, Clean Water Action Dereth Glance, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

CWN Policy experts will discuss recently passed and pending legislation: Waxman-Markey Climate Bill, Water Quality Reinvestment Act, Clean Water Trust Fund, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 20% set-aside for green projects, Stormwater

and Surface Transportation Act, Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund Reauthorization, Water Use Efficiency & Conservation Research Act, Water Infrastructure Financing Act, Separate Green Infrastructure Bill Moderator: Jennifer Peters, Clean Water Network 3:15 – 3:30 pm

Break

3:45 – 5:30 pm

Smart, Green & Clean Approaches to Water Management: State Legislative Vehicles & Other Case Studies

Hal Sprague, Center for Neighborhood Technology Katie Swartz, American Rivers Other Speaker(s), TBD

This session will highlight innovative state-level water management legislation: California – AB 32 (Urban Water Reuse) Illinois – Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act (Public Act 0960026) and discuss other ways states are encouraging the use of green infrastructure. Katie Swartz will discuss what the City of Toledo has done to facilitate the use of green infrastructure. Moderator: Dereth Glance, Citizens Campaign for the Environment 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Networking Reception

Local author Margaret Wooster will read an excerpt from her recent book: “Living Waters: Reading Rivers of the Lower Great Lakes”

Location TBD

Friday, October 23, 2009 8:00 – 8:45 am

Breakfast (provided by CWN)

8:45 – 9:00 am

Welcome from Buffalo Elected Official

9:00 – 11:00 am

Smart, Green & Clean Approaches to Water Management from the “Ground-up” – Local examples

TBD

Maureen Mayer, Buffalo-Niagara Riverkeeper Mary Ellen Heyman, Town of Irondequoit Supervisor Tom Hersey, Western New York Stormwater Coalition Sue Miller, Onondaga County (Invited)

This session will discuss what is being done at the local level to promote the use of green infrastructure. We will also discuss how cities can change codes and ordinances to facilitate green infrastructure. Moderator: Brian Smith, Citizens Campaign for the Environment 11:00 – 11:15am

Break

11:15 – 12:30pm

The Broad Swim: Working Toward an Integrated Policy Approach Wrap-up; Discussion/Brainstorming Session

MEETING ADJOURN 1:30 – 4:00 pm

Optional Fieldtrip

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Staff will take us on a walking tour of the Erie Basin Marina waterfront revitalization project.