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The NACP 2012 Project Awards Program

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on December 14, 2011 | No Comments

The APA County Planning Division (CPD) and the National Association of County Planners (NACP) are pleased to announce the opening of their 2012 Project Awards Program application cycle. This program provides them the opportunity to recognize outstanding planning projects from counties around the country at the APA CPD/NACP annual business meeting in Los Angeles at the APA National Conference. The program provides members with the chance to see and learn about development, conservation, government, or environmental projects, where planning has had a positive impact on the outcome. Judges will be looking for innovativeness and quality, and the potential for use in other areas. Read more…

NACP Meeting Minutes July 28, 2011

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on October 17, 2011 | No Comments

Scenic Corridors and Open Space – Lexington County SC

Posted in: Natural Areas/Parks by The NACP on October 16, 2011 | No Comments

Funding Opportunity Available for Forest and Water Climate Adaptation Planning

Posted in: Grants Resources by The NACP on August 8, 2011 | No Comments

Local communities are on the front line making key land use decisions in regards to climate change.

This is apparent across the U.S., and significantly so in rural forested communities where water, forest, climate and economic risks intersect. These same rural forested communities, more often than not, also have the lowest financial and organizational capacity to plan for, and address, these key factors.

Climate Solutions University: Forest and Water Strategies (CSU) helps rural communities develop adaptation plans.

Climate Solutions University (CSU) is the flagship program of the Model Forest Policy Program (MFPP), a national nonprofit organization that advocates for forest policies and practices that restore and sustain healthy productive forests, clean and abundant water supplies, and economically thriving climate-resilient communities. Established in collaboration with the Cumberland River Compact, CSU helps communities design and implement climate adaptation plans to protect local forest and water resources and support viable rural economies. Through a community-based peer learning network that links underserved rural communities across the U.S., CSU provides training, expertise, and support to communities engaged in climate adaptation planning. CSU strengthens local leadership and public engagement and works towards the following outcomes: protection of forest acres, stream miles, and human and ecological health; preservation of natural resource based economies; and broad public support for climate adaptation leadership among private landowners and local government.

Over the last two years, Climate Solutions University has worked with 14 rural forested communities across the nation, across many different governance models, forest types and a diverse variety of watersheds, to assist these rural forested communities in building the local capacity needed to move adaptation planning efforts forward.

Climate Solutions University is now accepting applications for 2012 Session. Qualifying communities will participate in a step by step process that breaks the challenge of climate planning into manageable pieces. Working with a local stakeholder team, communities will create a locally designed and locally driven plan to adapt to a changing climate, protect their economies, and reduce the impacts from natural disasters.

2010 Climate Solutions communities have taken impressive steps to protect forest cover, stabilize water resources, preserve habitat, and reduce public risk:

• Moab, Utah is building its first regional watershed plan;
• Sumner County and Cookeville, Tennessee added climate change provisions to its County Comprehensive Plan;
• Bonner County, Idaho protected over a 1,000 miles of streams with riparian buffers in its land use codes;
• Keene, New Hampshire improved state forest policy.

CSU welcomes applications from rural forested communities within the United States. Funding and program eligibility are limited to US local or regional non-profit 501(c) (3) organizations, local county or municipal governments, or coalitions of the above. National organizations and state or federal agencies may participate in partnership with a local organization or local agency where appropriate. However, the primary applicant and project leadership will be based in a local group.

The application deadline is 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on Monday, September 19th, 2011.

Interested parties should go to www.mfpp.org and register to download a complete application. You may also register to join their Climate Planners Newsletter.

For additional information regarding the Model Forest Policy Program or Climate Solutions University: Forest and Water Strategies please contact:

Jeff Morris, Director of Communications
(530) 355 – 9880
[email protected]

NACP Meeting Minutes May 12, 2011

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on July 29, 2011 | No Comments

National Association of County Planners and County Planning Division 2011 Membership Evaluation Results

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on June 29, 2011 | No Comments

2011 Planning Award Winners Announced

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on April 20, 2011 | No Comments

On April 10, 2011 at the County Planning Division’s Business Meeting conducted at the APA National Conference in Boston, the County Planning Division in conjunction with the National Association of County Planners presented their 2011 Project Awards. This year three awards were presented, one Award of Excellence and two Awards of Merit.

The Award of Excellence was presented to Charlotte – Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in the Small Area/Special Area Planning category for their Area Plan Implementation Program. The Area Plan Implementation Program is a system created to inventory, analyze, track, and implement capital projects as well as other recommendations originating from adopted Area Plans. It began from the need to follow-through on the community’s planning vision that was developed during a lengthy and in-depth planning process. The program established annual bond funding for area plan capital project implementation, enhanced information sharing amongst public service providers, and has resulted in the construction of a number of projects.

The Awards of Merit were presented to Henrico County, Virginia in the Grass Roots Initiative category for their Homeowner’s Enhancement Guide and to Riley County, Kansas in the Best Practices category for their Vision 2025 – A Comprehensive Plan for Riley County, Kansas. The Homeowner’s Enhancement Guide is intended as a means of maintaining the stability and desirability of mature neighborhoods. The Homeowner’s Enhancement Guide is a how-to handbook intended for homeowners and prospective purchasers of older homes, which may be in need of modernization and enhancement. The Guide is a tool for homeowners and prospective purchasers of mature homes that assist in the processes of adding character, modernizing, and improving livability through improvements at various ranges of cost. The Vision 2025 – A Comprehensive Plan for Riley County, Kansas provides the guidance to ensure the continued viability of the agricultural sector within the county while allowing compatible residential growth in appropriate areas. Developed over a 20-month time span by a representative steering committee with the guidance of facilitators and staff, the plan includes unique features such as a statement of property rights principles, an exclusive agricultural district, a uniquely tailored Land Evaluation Site Assessment System and an innovative Surrounding Agricultural Land Easement to protect agricultural operators.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Meeting Minutes January 20, 2011

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on March 16, 2011 | No Comments

Meeting Minutes October 7, 2010

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on February 28, 2011 | No Comments

2011 Project Awards Program

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on February 8, 2011 | No Comments

The APA County Planning Division (CPD) and the National Association of County Planners (NACP) are pleased to announce the opening of their 2011 Project Awards Program application cycle. This program provides them the opportunity to recognize outstanding planning projects from counties around the country at the APA CPD/NACP annual business meeting in Boston at the APA National Conference. The program provides members with the chance to see and learn about development, conservation, government, or environmental projects, where planning has had a positive impact on the outcome. Judges will be looking for innovativeness and quality, and the potential for use in other areas.

Awards of Excellence and Merit

Eligible planning projects are those completed within the last two years. An awards application should include an electronic copy of the planning document, a summary of the project, and responses to the awards judging criteria. Each member of the Awards Committee must receive an award application by February 25, 2011. Incomplete applications or those not received by each juror by the deadline will not be considered. Addresses for each of this year’s Jurors are listed below. The Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit will be presented to the recipients at the APA CPD/NACP annual business meeting in Boston at the APA National Conference, Sunday, April 10, 2011. The jurors make the distinction between Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit based on scoring and other factors.

Projects must fall under one of the following categories:

• Planning Project Award: To a specific planning project conducted by a county that is in the process of being constructed or has been constructed within the last two years.
• Best Practices Award: For a specific planning tool, practice, program, project, or process that is a significant advancement to specific elements of planning. This category emphasizes results and demonstrates how innovative and state-of-the-art planning methods and practices helped to implement a plan. Nominations may include such things as regulations and codes, tax policies or initiatives, growth management or design guidelines, transferable development rights program, land acquisition efforts, public/private partnerships, applications of technology, handbooks, or efforts to foster greater participation in community planning.
• Grassroots Initiative Award: For an initiative that illustrates how a community utilized the planning process to address a need that extends beyond the traditional scope of planning. Emphasis is placed on the success of planning in new or different settings. Nominated projects should expand public understanding of the planning process. This could include such efforts as community policing or drug prevention, neighborhood outreach initiatives, programs designed for special populations, rural development, public art or cultural efforts, community festivals, environmental or conservation initiatives, summer recreational initiatives for children, or focused tourism ventures.
• Small Area/Special Area Planning Award: This award will go to a small area/special area plan, program, design, or related effort that demonstrates innovative planning principles and measures that create sustainable communities that have lasting value.

Nominations will be evaluated for the award category in which they are submitted. However, the Awards Committee may upon majority vote move a nomination to a different category, if appropriate. Only one Award of Excellence and one Award of Merit may be granted per category each year. If the Awards Committee finds that none of the nominations in a particular category meets the desirable standards, they may grant no award in that category for that year.

A Complete Award Package must include the Following Documents:

1. The planning document or project submitted on CD or provided by a webpage link.
2. A brief description of the project, including the setting, time frame, significance to the planning field, innovations in theory, methodology and/or practice and other unique aspects to the application.
3. A brief discussion demonstrating how the project meets the following criteria:
   • Innovation – Introduction of an original concept or a refinement of an existing technique or procedure.
   • Transferability – Potential applicability in other areas of the state or to other planning projects.
   • Quality – Excellence of analysis, writing, graphics and character of presentation.
   • Implementation – Effectiveness of the work – i.e. proposals have been carried out or show promise of being carried out in the near future.
   • Comprehensiveness – Planning principles have been observed, especially in considering a project’s effects on other public objectives and the surrounding environment.
   • Responses to items 2 and 3 should total no more than four pages.
4. A 2-3 sentence project summary to be used for the award handout at the annual business meeting.
5. At least four graphics or images (jpg format) that illustrate the planning area or project that is being submitted.
6. Name, address, daytime telephone, email, and FAX numbers of the person(s) to contact regarding the application: project author(s), and project client.
7. Application fee: Free for members of the APA CPD and/or NACP. Non-members must submit either $50 for an award application or $35 for membership in NACP, payable to NACP and mailed to Tim Brown at the address below. Please notate the project name on the check.

A complete award package must be received by each juror either by regular mail or electronic mail no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 25, 2011 (no exceptions). Please direct any questions about the awards program to Tim Brown, Chair, Awards Committee at (334) 615-3416 or by email to [email protected]

County Planning Awards Jurors

Download the 2011 Project Awards Program announcement via Scribd.com

Nearly $66 Million in Federal Funding Available for State, Local, and Tribal Governments

Posted in: Grants Resources by The NACP on December 20, 2010 | No Comments

This message announces the availability of nearly $66 million in current or upcoming funding opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that can be used to support climate and energy initiatives, including energy efficiency, regional planning, and community education. For full eligibility and application details, please visit the links provided below.

USDA Rural Community Development Initiative – $6.3 million

Application Due: December 22, 2010
Eligible Entities: State governments, local governments, Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, and others
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Rural Community Development Initiative. This initiative supports organization capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development in rural area. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, programs that support micro-enterprise and sustainable development, and programs to assist recipients in completing pre-development requirements for housing, community facilities, or community and economic development projects by providing resources for professional services, e.g., architectural, engineering, or legal. For more information, including state contacts, go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=58143.

USDA Solid Waste Management Grant Program – $3.5 million

Application Due: December 31, 2010
Eligible Entities: Public bodies, federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribe or group, academic institutions, and private non-profit organizations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Solid Waste Management Grant Program. This program supports projects that assist communities through free technical assistance and/or training geared toward reducing or eliminating pollution of water resources in rural areas, and improving planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas. For more info, contact LaVonda Pernell at [email protected] or go to: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/SWMG.htm.

EPA Integrated Assessment of Greenhouse Gases and Climate Impacts- $2 million

Application Due: January 7, 2011
Eligible Entities: States, local governments, territories, Indian tribes, international organizations, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private non-profit institutions. For-profit organizations are not eligible.
EPA has announced the availability of funds and is soliciting proposals to advance comprehensive, integrated modeling and assessment of multiple greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Proposals should also provide ways to enhance understanding of climate change impacts and their economic implications in order to assist decision makers and the public in effectively responding to the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change. For more information, view the funding announcement at: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html.

NOAA K-12 Environmental Literacy Grants – $8 million

Application Due: January 12, 2011
Eligible Entities: Institutions of higher education; other non-profits; K-12 public and independent schools and school systems; and state, local, and Indian tribal governments in the United States
The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, requests proposals for Environmental Literacy Grants for Formal K-12 Education. This RFP will support K-12 education projects that advance inquiry-based Earth System Science learning and stewardship directly tied to the school curriculum, with a particular interest in increasing climate literacy. $8 million is expected to be available; up to 10 awards are anticipated. For more information, contact Carrie McDougall at [email protected] or go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=56016. Refer to Sol# NOAA-SEC-OED-2011-2002608.

EPA National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2011 Request for Proposals- $32 million

Application Due: January 13, 2011
Eligible Entities: Regional, state, local or tribal agencies or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and certain non-profit organizations and institutions

EPA’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program is soliciting proposals nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas. Eligible diesel emission reduction solutions include verified emission control technologies such as retrofit devices, cleaner fuels, and engine upgrades; verified idle reduction technologies; verified aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires; certified engine repowers; and/or vehicle or equipment replacement. For more information, view the funding announcement posted at: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html.

EPA Upcoming Request for Applications for Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants Program – $4 million

Application Due: January 14, 2011
Eligible Entities: Local governments, Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, and others

EPA solicited comments through September 13th, 2010, on the new FY2011 Grant Application Guidelines for this funding opportunity. The RFA announces availability of grants for helping eligible entities deliver environmental workforce development and job training programs focused on hazardous and solid waste management, assessment, and cleanup activities. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 13 environmental workforce development and job training cooperative agreements from this competitive opportunity. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicat.htm or access the draft grant application guidelines at: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/proposal_guides/fy11guidelinesdraft.pdf.

EPA Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Funding Assistance Program – $4 million

Application Due: January 27, 2011
Eligible Entities: Regional, state, local, or tribal agencies or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and certain non-profit organizations and institutions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Funding Assistance Program. This RFP will support projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas. Eligible diesel emission reduction solutions are listed on the Emerging Technologies List at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/prgemerglist.htm. For more info, contact Michael Wolfe at [email protected] or go to: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html.

EPA SmartWay Program – $6 million

Application Due: February 10, 2011
Eligible Entities: Regional, state, local, or tribal agencies or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and certain non-profit organizations and institutions

EPA’s SmartWay Program and National Clean Diesel Campaign are announcing the availability of funding assistance to create finance programs, such as low-cost leases or revolving loan programs, to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions throughout the United States. The SmartWay Finance Program is soliciting proposals for projects that reduce diesel emissions through the creation of national, tribal, regional, state or local finance program(s). Finance programs include, but are not limited to, those that provide the loan recipient a specific financial incentive (i.e., longer terms or lower rates) to purchase or lease eligible retrofitted vehicles or equipment. The proposed finance program should maximize the total project funds available for financing eligible diesel emission reduction solutions and be sustainable to maintain the program.

Eligible diesel emission reduction solutions include verified emission control technologies such as retrofit devices and engine upgrades; verified idle reduction technologies; certified engine repowers, and/or vehicle or equipment replacement.

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State and local officials interested in additional information about developing and implementing cost-effective climate and energy strategies that help further environmental goals and achieve public health and economic benefits may visit: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate

Planning for Coastal Hazards: Overcoming the Barriers

Posted in: Resources by The NACP on November 9, 2010 | No Comments

Hazard and Resiliency Planning: Perceived Benefits and Barriers Among Land Use Planners

Posted in: Resources by The NACP on | No Comments

Vermont Regional Planning Commissions RFP

Posted in: RFPs by The NACP on October 18, 2010 | No Comments

Meeting Minutes August 12, 2010

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on | No Comments

McHenry County Conservation Design Ordinance

Posted in: Environmental Protection by The NACP on October 7, 2010 | No Comments

Conservation Design and the Comprehensive Plan

Posted in: Environmental Protection by The NACP on | No Comments

Grant Funding for 2011 Community Climate Adaptation Planning

Posted in: Grants Resources by The NACP on August 23, 2010 | No Comments

The Model Forest Policy Program (MFPP) is now accepting applications for the 2011 Climate Solutions University: Forest and Water Strategies (CSU). Climate Solutions University (CSU) empowers rural underserved communities throughout the U.S. to become leaders in climate change resiliency through natural resource protection. This one year, webinar-based education and coaching process provides $10,000 scholarships and guides communities to form a local stakeholder team; assess their local climate-related risks and opportunities; and create a customized local climate action plan and implementation plan for forest and water protection. Improved land use planning will help prevent flooding disasters, conserve water resources, protect local economies, maintain natural habitat, and sequester carbon. We will select up to 10 rural communities across to participate as a group in the 11-month curriculum that begins in February, 2011.

This year, six rural communities from NH, TN, CO, NM, UT, and WA are participating in this cutting edge “classroom” and producing Climate Adaptation Plans. They are remarkable people, becoming experts in scaling forest, water and climate science and policy to the local level, and gathering additional momentum by collaborating with key participants in their communities.

The Climate Solutions University has helped me communicate effectively and bridge differences to improve my effectiveness both as a Mayor and as a climate change advocate.

- Dave Erley, Mayor / Town of Castle Valley, Utah

I participated in the Model Forest Policy Program’s Climate Solutions University in October of 2009. As a professional working in a community in the Southwestern U.S. that has not planned for or accepted the occurrence of climate change, this course gave me the tools to initiate the climate change conversation within my community. My knowledge of climate projections and climate change impacts for this region, as well as actions that communities around the nation are taking to become climate resilient has greatly increased.

- Amanda Richardson/Prescott Creeks

This educational opportunity is being conducted in partnership with The Cumberland River Compact.

For complete application information, go to:
http://www.mfpp.org/Climate_Solutions_University/2011.html

2010 County Planning Awards Announced

Posted in: NACP News by The NACP on April 17, 2010 | No Comments

The County Planning Division of the American Planning Association and the National Association of County Planners (an affiliate of the National Association of Counties) presented their first annual “Excellence in County Planning” awards during their annual meeting in New Orleans on April 11. The selection committee received numerous submittals from counties across the United States, and ultimately selected three projects for recognition.

Pictures from Awards Ceremony

Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County, located in the greater Atlanta area, was recognized for a very ambitious and detailed 2030 Unified Plan that incorporates excellent data and implementation steps to address a variety of issues that this high-growth area currently faces. The awards committee was particularly impressed with the scope of the project, as well as the outreach efforts including the website. Nancy Lovingood, manager of long-range planning for the county, accepted the award along with project consultant Holiday Collins Storck from PB Placemaking, and delivered a presentation that provided additional details about the planning process and current status of the plan implementation.

Click here to see the Gwinnet County Presentation.

Gaston County

Gaston County, located in the growing Charlotte metro area, was recognized for a Unified Development Ordinance that was established through an inclusive process involving a wide variety of stakeholders. The awards committee was impressed with the county’s effort to move ahead, while retaining history and character through creative implementation of planning principles and public participation. David Williams, the Gaston County Planning Director, accepted the award and said the expectations for the project were high. “We were charged to “raise the bar” by enhancing development standards to promote quality development, livability, consistency with other existing policies while protecting our tax base.”

Click here to see the Gaston County Presentation.

The Mountain Landscapes Initiative

The Mountain Landscapes Initiative, a project managed by the Southwestern Commission and consulting firm The Lawrence Group, developed a detailed reference guide for local governments, officials, citizens, and developers to improve development practices in six rural counties located in western North Carolina. The project was recognized for its extensive public engagement process and transferability to other rural areas. Judy Francis, County Planning Division Chair-Elect, accepted the award on behalf of the Southwestern Commission and the Lawrence Group, and commented that “creative land use planning is not just a function of the metropolis. Some of the best work being done throughout the country is in rural areas that have never undertaken comprehensive planning before, but are now concerned about the impacts of inappropriate development on dearly loved landscapes.”

Click here to see the Mountain Landscapes Initiative Presentation.

2010 Western Planner Conference

Posted in: Event Announcements by The NACP on April 13, 2010 | No Comments

You won’t want to miss the 2010 Western Planner Conference, hosted by the Planning Association of Washington, August 10-13 in Vancouver, Washington. The Conference Theme is “Lasting Legacies and Living Landscapes.” Four tracks will be offered, Lasting Legacies, Transportation, Living Landscapes, and Tools of the Trade-Plans and Implementation. Several Mobile Tours will also be available. Conference coordinators will apply for over 30 CM credits, and law and ethics sessions will also be offered.

Please visit the Western Planner Web site at www.westernplanner.org to view the preliminary Conference Schedule and registration information.

WPR and PAW are also looking for sponsors and presenters. If you are interested in sponsoring or presenting for the conference, please contact Brian Frampton at [email protected] or 509-888-5253.

You will also find 2010 Western Planner Award nomination information on the WP Web site. Think about a planner or a project you would like to nominate for the Western Planner of the Year; the Sheldon D. Gerber Award for Environmental Excellence; or the infamous Lester award.

For more information on The Western Planner journal, please contact WP Editor Debbie Ehlers at [email protected] or 307-234-9442.