EPA Region 7

Communities Information Digest

August 19, 2016
Welcome to the latest EPA Region 7 Digest!
EPA Region 7s Communities Information
Digest provides communities with the latest
news about funding and technical assistance
opportunities, webinars, conferences, and
other activities related to human health and
the environment.

EPA Releases 2016 Climate Change

Indicators Report

An * indicates a new item.

Jump to:
Headlines
Funding and Technical Assistance
Opportunities
Meetings, Conferences, Training, & Events
Webinars and Conference Calls
To learn more, see Headlines.

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Region 7 Sustainable Materials

Management Grants due August 29!
Applications must be in Region 7, address the
national Sustainable Materials Management
Priorities, and have Region-wide reach or
target activities in a Making a Visible
Difference community.
See Grants and Technical Assistance for more
information.

Headlines
National
*EPA Awards $4.5 Million to Advance Air Monitoring Technology
EPA announced grants to six research organizations to develop low-cost air pollution
sensor technology, while engaging communities to learn about their local air quality.
*EPA Releases Water Quality Tribal Roadmap
The tool generates a road map document that guides a Tribe through working with water
quality data and how they can approach data management and submissions.

*USDA Services Can Help Individuals and Small Businesses Affected by Flooding in
Louisiana
USDA encourages Louisiana residents to contact the following offices to meet their
individual needs, including: Property and Shelter, Food Assistance and Food Safety, Crop
and Livestock Loss, and Community Recovery Resources.
*EPA Releases 2016 Climate Change Indicators Report
The report shows compelling and clear evidence of long-term changes to our climate and
highlights impacts on human health and the environment in the United States and around
the world, featuring observed trend data on U.S and global temperatures, ocean acidity,
sea level, river flooding, droughts, and wildfires.
*Harley-Davidson to Stop Sales of Illegal Devices that Increased Air Pollution from
the Companys Motorcycles
The settlement requires the company to stop selling, buy back, and destroy illegal devices
that increase air pollution from their motorcycles, and to sell only models of these devices
that are certified to meet Clean Air Act emissions standards.
*Final Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Effects of
Climate Change in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The White House Council on Environmental Quality put forth guidance that reflects the
commitment to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions while becoming more resilient to
the effects of climate change.
*New Waste Tracking Feature Helps Building Managers Save Money and Support a
Healthy Environment
EPA unveiled waste and materials tracking feature in its Energy Star Portfolio Manager,
which is a free benchmarking and tracking tool for commercial building owners and
managers.
*Updates to EPA's Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT)
Now web-based, CREAT is designed for the use of drinking water, wastewater, and
stormwater utilities and promotes a clear understanding of the climate science and
pertinent adaptation options by translating current and complex climate projection data into
a series of intuitive modules.
Public Comment: Draft Guidance for Conducting Fish Consumption Surveys
The draft guidance updates the Guidance for Conducting Fish and Wildlife Consumption
Surveys (1998). EPA has revised this guidance in an effort to assist stakeholders in the
design, conduct, and analysis of surveys focused on characterizing consumption of finfish
and shellfish. Comments due September 13.

Region 7 News
*Omaha Public Schools Teacher Shawn Graham Receives Presidential Innovation
Award for Environmental Educators
Shawn Graham was one of 18 teachers to be recognized in ceremonies at the White
House. Graham teaches science for the OPS Accelere Program, which provides access to
an accelerated degree format for students working toward a high school diploma.

*EPA and City of Columbia, MO, Reach Settlement of Clean Water Act Violations at
Columbia Landfill and Yard Waste Composting Facility
As part of the settlement, the city has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $54,396 and perform
a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) project involving the construction of a
wetland area at a cost of no less than $475,000.
*EPA and Champ Landfill of Maryland Heights, MO, Reach Settlement to Improve
Landfills Compliance with Clean Air Act
IESI MO Champ Landfill has agreed to implement measures at its Maryland Heights
landfill. The measures are designed to minimize odors and air emissions from the landfill
and ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements under the Clean Air Act.
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Funding & Technical Assistance Opportunities

BIA Program to Identify and Address Tribal Climate Change Science Needs August
19
*Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act-Designation of Alternative Fuel
Corridors August 22
Tribal Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program August 23
Americas Promise Job Driven Grant Program August 25
Vehicle Technologies Multi-Topic Funding Opportunity August 29
*2016 Sustainable Materials Management Grants August 29
*Scholarships for Greenbuild 2016 in Los Angeles, CA August 30
Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District grant August 31
Campus RainWorks Challenge Registration September 1-30
Submissions due December 16
*SolSmart City Challenge Challenge runs through September 9
*SolSmart County Challenge Challenge runs through September 9
NEA Our Town Creative Placemaking Grants September 12
HUD Rural Capacity Building (RCB) Program September 13
USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Agriculture and Natural Resources
Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area Letters of Intent due:
September 14
*Federal Highway Administration Environmental Excellence Awards September 15

Applications for Climate Leadership Awards September 26

EPA National Wetland Condition Assessment Campus Research Challenge
September 30
Build Healthy, Resilient Coastal Communities October 5
PeopleForBikes Community Grant Program October 7
*National Science Foundations Environmental Sustainability Program October 20
Asthma Empowerment Collaborations to Reduce Childhood Asthma Disparities
Letters of Intent: October 16, Applications due: November 16
*Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change
Challenge Area November 17

Ongoing Opportunities
*POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic
Revitalization) Grants Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Tribal Climate Change Funding Guide Regularly updated grants and programs
EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program
USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Contact Local USDA Service
Center
Apply for a Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Orchard in Your Community
American Planning Association Community Planning Assistance Teams
Climate Solutions University Adaptation Plan Assistance
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Meetings, Conferences, & Events

StormCom: The Surface Water Quality Conference and Expo August 22-25,
Indianapolis, IN
US Fish and Wildlife Service: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment August 2325, Shepherdstown, WV
National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Workshop August 23-25, Salt Lake City, UT

*Harnessing Consumers & Communities to Help Meet U.S. Food Waste Reduction
Goals August 26, Columbus, OH
National Working Summit on Transportation in Rural America September 7-9,
Denver, CO
*Central Appalachian Regional Brownfields Summit September 7-8, Charleston, WV
2016 Missouri Recycling Association (MORA) Recycling Conference September 1214, St. Louis, MO
*EcoDistricts Summit 2016 September 12-15, Denver, CO
Pro Walk/Pro Bike/Pro Place September 12-15, Vancouver, BC
Placemaking Week September 12-18, Vancouver, B.C.
Institute for Tribal Environmental Partners (ITEP) Training: Climate Change
Adaptation Planning September 13-15, Nebraska City, NE
*Promoting Economic Mobility: Putting Evidence to Action for Communities
September 14, Washington, D.C.
*Climate Week in NYC September 19-25, New York City, NY
International Economic Development Council Annual Conference September 25-28,
Cleveland, Ohio
*Designing Cities Conference September 26-29, Seattle, WA
*Smart Cities Week September 27-29, Washington, D.C.
National Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference September 28-30, Baltimore,
MD
EPA Region 6 Annual Stormwater Conference October 2-6, Oklahoma City, OK
Growing Sustainable Communities Annual Conference October 4-5, Dubuque, IA
2016 AARP Livable Communities National Conference October 17- 19, Chicago, IL
*Managing Water Resources: System Losses, Auditing, Conservation, and Drought
Preparedness October 19, Emporia, KS
Green Business Engagement National Network Summit October 19-20, St. Louis,
MO

Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Conference October 19-21, Washington, D.C.

National Training Conference on the Toxics Release Inventory and Environmental
Conditions in Communities October 19-21, Washington, D.C.
*Behavior, Energy and Climate Change Conference October 20-22, Baltimore, MD
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition October 29November 2, Denver, CO
CitiesAlive: 14th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference November 1-4,
Washington, D.C.
New Partners for Smart Growth Conference February 2-4, 2017, St. Louis, MO
*2017 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference February 5-8, 2017, Lincoln, NE
*Climate Leadership Conference March 1-3, 2017, Chicago, IL
2017 National Brownfields Training Conference December 5-7, 2017, Pittsburg, PA
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Webinars and Conference Calls

*PCBs: Reassessment of Use of Authorizations for PCBs in Small Capacitors
August 23, 1-2:30 p.m. CST
The Office of Chemical Safety Pollution Prevention would like to invite tribal officials and
representatives for an opportunity to discuss and provide input on the current rulemaking
status for PCBs: Reassessment of Use Authorizations for PCBs in Small Capacitors.
Portfolio Manager 101 August 23, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
Learn about EPAs ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Attendees will learn how to:
navigate Portfolio Manager; add a property and enter details about it; enter energy and
water consumption data; and generate template performance reports to assess progress.
Portfolio Manager 201 August 24, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
Continue to learn about EPAs ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool with a deeper dive
into more advanced functionalities such as: editing property data; correcting and updating
property use details; using the data quality checker; and sharing property data.
*EPA's Draft Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Public Participation
Manual, 2016 Edition is Available for Public Review August 24, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
Please join EPA for an overview presentation on the Draft Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) Public Participation Manual, 2016 Edition, now available for public
comment until September 9, 2016.
Participant Dial-in Number: (866)299-3188

Conference ID#: 7033087033

*How Universities Can Expand Solar in their Communities: Lessons from Utahs
and Oregons Community Bulk PV Purchasing Programs August 24, 2-3:00 p.m.
CST
The webinar will discuss the University of Utahs U Community Solar" Program, and will
also feature the University of Oregon, which ran a successful and inexpensive community
bulk solar program.
Portfolio Manager 301 August 25, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
With a good background on the basic functionality of EPAs ENERGY STAR Portfolio
Manager tool, learn about some advanced features including: using spreadsheet upload
templates to update property data; setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements
for properties; creating custom reports; and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist.
*Removal of Multiple Contaminants: Biological Treatment and Ion Exchange August
30 1-2:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will discuss the challenges and treatment solutions for small drinking water
and wastewater systems. Learn about combined ion exchange to remove dissolved
organic carbon and hardness in drinking water, and the discuss capabilities of biological
treatment for drinking water.
EPAs Research into a Potential 1-100 Water Score for Multifamily Housing August
30, 1-2:00 p.m. CST
Over the last couple of years, EPA has been actively researching data on water use for
multifamily properties, to explore the possibility of our first 1-100 score for water use.
Please join this webinar to hear about our research and findings to date.
Project Regulatory Considerations August 31, 12-2:00 p.m. CST
Learn about permitting and project regulatory issues that need to be addressed when
developing energy projects. Considerations include the Helping Expedite and Advance
Responsible Tribal Home Ownership (HEARTH) Act, land use, and other biological
resources; visual impact; soil erosion and water quality; public health and safety; cultural
and paleontological resources; solid and hazardous wastes; air quality; and climate.
CDFA Brownfields Financing Webinar Series: Strategic TIF Structuring for
Redevelopment September 1, 1-2:30 p.m. CST
Join CDFA, our technical assistance partners, and experienced brownfield communities
as we discuss tax increment financing and how it can be used to compliment the
redevelopment and cleanup of your brownfield project.
Recycling Rigid Plastics Beyond Bottles: Resources to Support MRFs and
Municipalities September 6, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will provide an overview of the resources, developed by the Association of
Plastics Recyclers for MRFs and Municipalities to support the expansion of plastics
collected.
2015 PET Container Recycling Rate Report Overview October 18, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will serve as an Executive Summary, featuring data and analyses from the
Report on Postconsumer PET Container Recycling Activity in 2015.

2015 National Postconsumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Rate Report Overview

November 15, 12-1:00 p.m. CST
This webinar will serve as an Executive Summary, featuring data and analyses from the
2015 National Postconsumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Rate Report.

On-Going and On-Demand Webinars

Leveraging Resources for Brownfields Revitalization Webinar
This previously recorded webinar discusses available tools to assist communities in
leveraging resources to address community revitalization goals and challenges. It
includes a presentation on Dubuque, Iowa's successful efforts to leverage its own
resources to attract other federal, state, public and private sources of funding and
technical assistance.
EPA Computer Training Helps Water and Wastewater Utilities Build Resilience
The training covers several topics including: identifying and funding potential hazard
mitigation projects, developing and updating an Emergency Response Plan (ERP),
coordinating mutual aid and assistance during emergencies, conducting damage
assessments, and many more.
EPA Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments 10-Part Webinar Series
Student Curriculum: Recipes for Healthy Kids, and a Healthy Environment
Each 45-minute lesson empowers kids to take steps in their everyday lives to improve
the environment for their communities and reduce their environmental risk.
LeanPath presents: Five Food Waste Myths to Debunk Now!
This webinar will explore five myths about food waste and the facts you need to debunk
them in your kitchen.
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