Conference-- Municipalities Roles in Protecting the Environment

I'm posting this as a courtesy to a sister organization. I will be unable to attend, due to a conflict, but I urge you all to participate. This is a great opportunity to have our voices heard.

This Event is being run by the Lehigh Valley Alliance for Sustainable Communities and Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

*** IMPORTANT!!! *** Requires an RSVP directly to the PEC by February 8th at:

kluong AT pecpa.org (translate into emailese, please!) Provide your name, organizational affiliation, address, phone, fax, email, municipality, and county.

The Alliance for Sustainable Communities-Lehigh Valley invites the public to take part in a conference that focuses on the roles municipalities can play in protecting the environment. To be held on Saturday, February 16, 8:30am-3pm, this "Lehigh Valley Regional Conference for Environmental Advisory Councils and Other Municipal Officials" will deal with ways to head toward a more sustainable future.

The Conference will be held at the Fowler Family Southside Center of Northampton Community College, 511 East 3rd Street, Bethlehem.

Organized by the EAC Network of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), the conference sponsor, with support from the Alliance, the Conference will look at ways to get the Lehigh Valley headed toward a more sustainable future, featuring information on food production, green building, stormwater management, and land use management essential elements of an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable region.

This will be a fine Alliance Community Dialogue for February.

The EAC Network gives this preview of the conference:

The conference will kick off with a look at the state of the Lehigh Valley. As the region grows, communities face the daunting task of providing sustainable homes, food and employment opportunities for residents. This conference kick-off, featuring guest speakers Tom Kerr of HDR Engineering, Patricia Pingle of DCNR, and Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design, will provide an overview of development trends, discuss current and future challenges for the region, and offer a greener, ecologically based, vision for the Lehigh Valley.

Ensuing breakout sessions for conference participants will include:
Sustainable Agriculture: Local Food Production and It's ECOnomic Potential.

Featuring guest speaker: Jerry Brunetti, Agri-Dynamics. Panel discussion will include local producers, agricultural advisors and advocates for local institutions purchasing local foods, and discussion of local food production as an economic development tool, including Agri-Tourism and the Fuels to Schools Program.

Growth Management: Turning Growing Pains into Greening Gains.

Featuring guest speakers: Mike Kaiser, Exectuve Director, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission; Shawn McGlynn, Zoning Officer. Overview of the natural resource conservation goals in the LV Comprehensive Plan and Introduction to the LV Greenways Plan. Discussion on how municipalities can use zoning and other ordinances as management tools to protect the interests of municipalities. Lower Makefield Township (Bucks) and Bushkill Township (Northampton) will also present their comprehensive approach to growth management and sustainability efforts in their communities.

Green Buildings: Here's The Scoop.

Featuring guest speakers: Kerry Kowalchuk, Artefact; and Tim Baker, Director of Design, Venetian Hotel Resort Casinos (invited). Discussion of green technology practices both within and outside of the U.S. and the integration of green technology into local codes.

Stormwater Management - Naturally.

Featuring guest speakers: Wes Horner, Principal Planner at Cahill Associates State. Description of the exciting array of Non-Structural and Structural BMPs, often called Low Impact Development, included in the new state BMP Manual authored for PADEP. Overview of model municipal water resource ordinances - and how to apply these new approaches in order to avoid the challenges posed by the carbonate rock of the Lehigh Valley, from subsidence to groundwater contamination.

The afternoon session will offer participants the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas about lessons learned during the morning session.

Finally, participants will have the opportunity to speak with PA Representative Bob Freeman. As a member of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Representative Freeman will discuss relevant Pennsylvania law that enables municipalities to integrate sustainability efforts into their codes and operations, provide insight into "green" policies and regulations that are being considered in Harrisburg to catalyze local action, and address concerns and questions raised by participants.

For more information, contact:

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council
123 Chestnut Street, Suite 401
Philadelphia PA 19106
Phone: 215.592.7020
Fax: 215.592.7026