Source Water Protection Webinar on Local Planning Activities Rescheduled for November 7th

Register now for the webinar entitled, “Successful state agency efforts to support and coordinate with local planning activities,” that has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 7thfrom 1:00 to 3:00pm (eastern).  The original October 30 webinar date was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.  This webinar is the third in the series of five free webinars from the Enabling Source Water Protection team, led by The Trust for Public Land and the Smart Growth Leadership Institute, with support from the River Network and ASDWA.  During the webinar, participants will learn about three distinct approaches to engaging local governments in the protection of drinking water sources. How these programs have evolved (and are evolving) is especially relevant to other states hoping to create their own mechanisms for rewarding land use decisions that protect drinking water and other natural resources.  The speakers and agenda topics are as follows:

• Maine:  Andy Tolman of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services will describe the Saco River Corridor Commission, its role in protecting drinking water sources, its structure and membership, and how it operates. He will also describe the state’s shoreland zoning, and its strengths and weaknesses.

• Ohio:  Sandra Kosek-Sills of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission will provide an overview of Ohio’s Balanced Growth Initiative, which was created as a way to help local governments work together to plan for growth and natural resource protection.  The program has two parts, a planning program and a series of 16 best practices. The watershed-based planning groups are in areas where land use change is occurring.  Their work is completely voluntary, but completed plans are eligible for special incentives in related programs.

• North Carolina:  Amy Axon and Jay Frick of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources will tell us about two new initiatives for the source water program. The first is the state’s new Source Water Collaborative, describing who is on it, how they work together, and how projects that support local planners fit into the group’s larger agenda. The second initiative is the Greater Triangle Stewardship Program, a group that was created by citizens working with developers and local governments (and now state government) to recognize developments that protect and enhance the natural environment and existing communities.We will then wrap up with a discussion about the advantages of each approach, and lessons learned on how to work with local planners.

You must register (or re-register) for this webinar separately, as your registration will not carry over from the previous date.  Go to the online registration link at:  www.asdwa.org/swwebinars, and pass this along to your colleagues.  Registration is open to anyone who would like to participate.

For more information about the state projects and to view the previous webinars, visit the project web site at www.landuseandwater.org.  For questions, please contact Kelley Hart at Kelley.Hart@tpl.org or 415-800-5201.