March 28, 2005

Are your neighborhoods giving way to sprawling growth? Are you aggressively seeking economic development opportunities? Are you getting pressure to extend infrastructure away from your town center and then facing criticism about traffic congestion? Are you worried about diminishing air and water quality? If so, you're not alone. Cities and towns in metropolitan regions across the country are looking for ways to improve and sustain a higher quality of life and a clean environment for all residents so that they can continue to attract jobs in their areas.

Several regional programs, including the Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life project (SEQL), Envision Utah, and the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group (SVM Group), are finding solutions to these issues. These three groups bring together elected officials, local government staff, business and industry, economic development groups and environmental stakeholder organizations to produce viable solutions for regional growth.

While regional in vision and influence, such programs-

• Are local in application
• Promote specific action items on air quality, sustainable growth and water resources
• Develop a comprehensive, integrated plan that provides economic prosperity and a clean environment for all citizens
• Require the participation of a diverse group of stakeholders.

These efforts are a multifaceted process, not only internal to your organization, but also across participating groups. While each community has different specific goals relating to their needs and unique circumstances, programs like SEQL, Envision Utah, and the SVM Group demonstrate how to use visioning, scenario planning, and stakeholder involvement to reach their targets.

SEQL, Envision Utah, and the SVM Group will talk about their successes and barriers to sustainable regions. Attend the EPA broadcast to learn more about what your administration can do to improve your community and regional quality of life and how you manage your government.

When

April 14, 2005; 1-2:30pm EST.

How

This will be simulcast over the Internet, and can be viewed on your personal computer. On the day of the broadcast, log on to the web site http://nditsvns04.its.state.nc.us/ramgen/broadcast/epa/live.rm and follow the viewing instructions. The call-in number is included on the web site. You will need to install a current version of RealPlayer to view the broadcast. RealPlayer can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.real.com/player/.

This broadcast will also be offered on C and Ku-band channels. If you need C or Ku-band coordinates, contact Deborah Miller at EPA (919-541-5552 or miller.deborahr@epa.gov).

To Register

Send an e-mail with your name, title, and organization to regionalbroadcast.@epa.gov.

Mayor Quotes:

"Having worked with Envision Utah during the original process, which resulted in the creation of the growth strategy for the Greater Wasatch Front and quality growth tools, I have great confidence in their quality of work. The Envision Utah approach encourages local stewardship of environmental problems, is sensitive to local concerns, and has resulted in many significant achievements in the Greater Wasatch Area."

— Midvale City (UT) Mayor JoAnn B. Seghini

"The initiatives set forth by our regional SEQL communities have developed a standard for environmental excellence. In Gaston County, we have taken those goals to another level by adopting them into the Quality of Life action steps for our 2012 plan. Gastonia's waste water program has received The Environmental Stewardship Award by NC-DEHNR Secretary Ross as the first governmental organization to receive such distinction. Ours is not just a plan on paper, it's our environmental philosophy."

— Gastonia (NC) Mayor Jennifer T. Stultz

"The SEQL process has enabled us to share what we are doing to create a more environmentally sustainable community and has also helped us to learn from others in the region. For example, we have shared information on Concord's efforts to work with other communities in our County to develop common land development standards among jurisdictions. At the same time, we used what we learned from other jurisdictions to create the City's internal Ozone Awareness Program. We are well on our way in incorporating the environmental "tool box" items identified during the planning process into our daily practices."

— Concord (NC) Mayor Scott Padgett

My comment to other mayors about the SEQL project is that we cannot think with in just our city limits when it comes to solving environmental problems. We must bring a coalition of the people who live in our suburbs, adjoining states, and also work with the private sector. The political boundaries of our cities are meaningless, because frankly, a lot of the people who are working in our cities are coming from elsewhere, and they-ve got to be a part of our solution. And most mayors recognize that we can steal ideas from other cities on what's working. And I-m going to steal ideas from San Jose and from Salt Lake City. And I expect people to steal ideas from Charlotte and then they can take total credit for it, like a good politician can do.

— Charlotte (NC) Mayor Patrick McCory