March/April 1998
|
|
March/April 1998 |
by Julie Letterhos
Funding the development of Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) has always been a challenge. However, that challenge pales when compared to the demanding task of finding the resources to implement recommended remedial actions. Many remedial actions are extremely expensive and RAP groups in each Area of Concern (AOC) must explore and consider many different funding sources and mechanisms in order to create the right funding combination that addresses their unique situation.
The development and implementation of funding plans for major remedial actions often take years to organize. To provide information on where to start building a sound financial plan, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency collaborated with the Ohio Lake Erie Office and International Joint Commission in September 1997 to host a workshop titled "Sowing Seeds for Success." Its purpose was to bring together members of RAP organizations with representatives from public and private funding organizations in order to facilitate the exchange of information.
Speakers covered a broad range of potential private and public funding sources. The Cleveland Foundation presented a perspective from private foundations and made several important points about obtaining grants of this nature.
In addition to private foundations, public institutions can provide a wide array of programs that benefit remedial action in the form of direct grants, loans and partnership programs. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers explained its various authorities for funding environmental cleanup projects including RAP activities. Of particular emphasis was its authority under Section 401 of the U.S. Water Resources Development Act that focuses on providing planning and technical assistance to RAPs. The Corps' policies have changed over the years and currently contain a substantial commitment to environmental restoration projects such as funding of habitat restoration projects.
A representative from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources discussed initiatives addressing nonpoint source pollution and wildlife management programs. One such program is a partnership with local Ohio soil and water conservation districts. Under the Natureworks program, conservation districts are eligible for funding to protect and restore streambanks, reduce nonpoint source runoff and improve habitat. In another, an urban streams initiative was recently funded, which placed urban stream specialists, who concentrate on remediation and protecting small streams in urban settings, in many of the coastal counties along Lake Erie in Ohio.
U.S. Clean Water Act Section 319 supports a number of projects aimed at reducing nonpoint sources of pollution. Under this act, Ohio agencies have funded millions of dollars in nonpoint source related research, demonstrations and project implementation. RAP implementation funding is also available under the Great Lakes Commission Soil Erosion and Sedimentation grant program.
The Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund offers financial and planning assistance to RAP organizations. The Fund provides loans at below market interest rates for projects such as agricultural runoff controls, landfill remediation projects, stream corridor restoration, brownfield remediation, urban storm water runoff and best management practices. Special assistance is available for small communities or areas with unique situations. The Lake Erie Protection Fund and the Ohio Environmental Education Fund are grant programs that can be used to fund implementation of remedial actions in AOCs as well.
A representative from the Ohio Water Development Authority explained his agency's work to create a "financing arena," primarily for capital improvement projects aimed at improving water quality. Through its partnership with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, $250 million in loans have been granted over the last four years. The Authority has already worked with two RAP organizations to implement remedial actions and conduct additional research. It has initiated planning with the Ashtabula River Area of Concern Partnership to develop a long-term funding plan for the removal of contaminated sediments from the Ashtabula River.
All AOCs have learned that there will never be one source of funding to solve all environmental problems identified by a RAP. The important thing is to set goals, define a path to reach them and then begin to match funding sources to specific projects.
Although most of the speakers at the workshop addressed funding sources available only to specific geographic areas, primarily Ohio, similar programs are available throughout the Great Lakes on both sides of the border.
The Toronto Waterfront Regeneration Trust has been successful in revitalizing Toronto's old, industrial and contaminated waterfront. Its focus for implementation was funding specific remedial actions as opposed to identifying funding sources in general. A key feature of the Trust's approach in developing and obtaining funding was to look beyond the traditional, narrow definition of "environment" to ensure that economic and community issues were considered as well. This techniqe attracted partners from many different sectors of society.
Sponsorships were sought for certain projects through "cause-marketing" in the business community. To make this successful, a logo and organizational identity were developed for marketing. In order to obtain the necessary status for fund-raising activities, the Trust was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Another step toward implementation was the creation of an endowment fund, which became the "Trust." The primary lesson learned in Toronto was to celebrate successes, no matter how small, as a way of reinforcing commitments, promoting community volunteerism and increasing public awareness.
There is strong support and commitment for funding RAP activities in AOCs. Each speaker at the workshop acknowledged that many AOCs are places where innovative decisions are being made, chances are being taken and challenges are being met. In short, AOCs can be places around the Great Lakes where it's all happening. Participants left with new creative ideas and the enthusiasm to make it happen. Assessing problems and planning solutions from a watershed perspective is important. The RAP process in AOCs can be a successful means of accomplishing this.
Julie Letterhos is the Lake Erie program coordinator for Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Division of Surface Water. She has been actively involved in the Ohio RAP process since its inception. For additional information, she can be reached at: P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio, 43216-1049; phone (614) 644-2871; FAX (614) 644-2329; or email julie.letterhos@epa.state.oh.us(.)
sommaire
Le financement de l'élaboration des plans d'assainissement (PA) a toujours été un défi. Toutefois, ce défi n'est rien lorsqu'on le compare à la tâche exigeante qui consiste à trouver les ressources pour mettre en oeuvre les mesures d'assainissement recommandées. De nombreuses mesures d'assainissement sont extrêmement coûteuses et les groupes responsables des PA dans chaque secteur préoccupant (SP) doivent étudier et chercher de multiples sources et mécanismes de financement différents afin de trouver la combinaison idéale qui réponde à leur situation unique.
Il faut souvent plusieurs années pour élaborer et mettre en oeuvre des plans de financement pour des mesures d'assainissement d'envergure. Afin de renseigner les personnes intéressées sur la façon de monter un plan de financement adéquat, la Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, en collaboration avec le Ohio Lake Erie Office et la Commission mixte internationale, a été l'hôte, en septembre 1997, d'un atelier intitulé « Sowing Seeds for Success » (Semer les graines de la réussite). Son objectif : donner aux membres des groupes des PA l'occasion de rencontrer des représentants des organismes de financement publics et privés afin d'échanger de l'information.
Les conférenciers ont fait connaître aux participants une vaste gamme d'éventuelles sources de financement privées et publiques. Ils leur ont fait comprendre qu'il n'y aura jamais une source unique de financement pour résoudre tous les problèmes environnementaux inventoriés dans un PA. Ce qui est important, c'est d'établir des objectifs, de définir des moyens de les atteindre et puis d'associer des sources de financement à des projets particuliers. Il est essentiel d'évaluer les problèmes et de planifier les solutionsen prenant pour base un bassin hydrographique. L'établissement de PA pour un SP est un bon moyen d'y arriver.
Revised: 7 April 1998
Maintained by Kevin McGunagle,
mcgunaglek@ijc.wincom.net