This report on funding and financing for transit-oriented development (TOD) infrastructure was produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Sustainable Communities as part of the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program, which helps state, local, regional, and tribal governments that need tools, resources, and other assistance to achieve their growth- and development-related goals. The sites identified for TOD in each of the communities had different assets and challenges. However, the issues they were confronting had many commonalities that suggested a...

Rural communities across America are working to strengthen their economies, provide better quality of life to residents, and build on assets such as traditional main streets, agricultural and working lands, and natural resources. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), established a Rural Work Group to reinforce these initiatives and ensure that the four agencies' spending, policies, and programs support rural communities' efforts to be economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable. This report summarizes the Rural...

Flooding from extreme storm events has affected many communities across the country, causing billions of dollars of damage annually. Moreover, climate change projections suggest that storms will likely become more powerful in many regions of the country in the future. In light of these trends, many communities are recognizing the need to improve disaster recovery and long-term flood resilience planning. Communities throughout Vermont faced this reality when Tropical Storm Irene hit in 2011, devastating infrastructure, communities, and lives. In 2012, in the wake of Irene, the state of Vermont...

Rainwater harvesting has been used throughout history as a water conservation measure, particularly in regions where other water resources are scarce or difficult to access. In recent years, researchers and policy makers have shown renewed interest in water use strategies due to rising water demand, increased interest in conservation (both water and energy), and an increased regulatory emphasis on reducing stormwater runoff volumes and associated pollutant loads. In the last decade, as interest in the practice has grown, numerous state, municipal, and regional agencies have adopted or amended...

The RMP*eSubmit Users' Manual provides assistance in preparing and submitting Risk Management Plans (RMPs). RMP*eSubmit application software is the Web-based free tool EPA developed to facilitate electronic submission and is designed to significantly reduce errors in submission through validations for data elements. RMP*eSubmit allows you to: View the current version of your RMP (if you have already reported an RMP); Create a new RMP online (if this is a first-time submission); Make corrections to, or create a complete resubmission of your RMP; Identify and correct any errors in your RMP...

This manual provides guidance to inspectors conducting pesticide inspections under the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). It includes recommended procedures and forms for federal inspections. Inspections are conducted in five phases: (1) inspection preparation; (2) entry and opening conference; (3) observations and evidence collection; (4) receipt for samples/statement(s), and closing conference; and (5) inspection reporting. Conducting all inspections in this manner will ensure that the inspector fulfills the statutory requirements for conducting...

There is a growing need for urban water managers to take a more holistic view of their water resource systems as population growth, urbanization, and current operations put different stresses on the environment and urban infrastructure. Total Water Management (TWM) is an approach that examines urban water systems in a more interconnected manner, focusing on reducing water demands, increasing water recycling and reuse, creating water supply assets from stormwater management, matching water quality to end-use needs, and achieving environmental goals through multi-purpose, multi-benefit...

The public's interest in the renewal of natural ecosystems has grown steadily during the past few decades. While preservation of habitat is a key to environmental health, there is a growing awareness that restoration, creation, and enhancement are essential to recover ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed. Wetland habitats are the focus of many recovery efforts because over the past 200 years the area and health of wetlands have declined significantly. Less than 46 percent of the 215 million acres of wetlands estimated to exist in the contiguous U.S. when Europeans arrived remain....

The purpose of this guide is to provide the tools needed to develop and implement an effective outreach campaign as part of a state or local water quality improvement effort. Whether you're charged with developing a watershed management plan to restore impaired waters or protecting your local water resources for the future, this guide will help you understand the importance of reaching out to people and motivating them to act. It will help you understand the audiences in your watershed, create messages that resonate with them, find appropriate ways to communicate your message, and prompt...

As a participant in the construction and development process, your success may depend on how well you identify, analyze, and manage your environmental risks. Simply being unaware of your environmental obligations does not relieve you of your liability. This planning guide was developed in a collaborative effort between U.S. EPA and its partners. Its purpose is to help you to: Recognize the federal environmental requirements and factor in the associated expenses for the project; Designate the responsible party to fulfill these requirements; Complete the requirements by filing the necessary...