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Bob Hison elected SEMCOG Vice Chair Robert Hison, Mayor of St. Clair Shores and active member of SEMCOG for many years, was elected Vice Chair at SEMCOG's Executive Committee meeting on January 20, 2006. Hison fills a Vice Chair position vacant as a result of the November 2005 elections. He joins the following officers:
Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Executive Office Coordinator.
View highlights of Executive Committee meeting on SEMCOG's Web site Highlights of SEMCOG's January 20 Executive Committee meeting can now be viewed from www.semcog.org. From the home page, link to News & Notices in the upper bar, then look for the link in the right column. Highlights include a "two-minute interview" with new Vice Chair Robert Hison, remarks from State Representative John Stakoe, and a presentation from John Hartig, Manager of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, on North America's only international wildlife refuge and the future plans for this regional asset. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Communications Manager.
SEMCOG University on February 8 focuses on brownfield redevelopment Reuse of brownfield sites is crucial to the redevelopment of our communities and to a thriving Southeast Michigan. SEMCOG University will present Brownfield Redevelopment — Where from here? on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, from 9 a.m.-noon (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) in SEMCOG's Buhl Building office in downtown Detroit. This workshop will provide input and suggestions to officials of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on future direction of the state brownfield program, including possible rule changes, funding for program staff, and redevelopment support. The workshop will address the areas under consideration for potential change to the Part 201 brownfield redevelopment rules; the future direction of the state program; and how to be involved. In addition, participants will hear the local community perspective on ways to improve the state brownfield program. This SEMCOG University workshop is free-of-charge to SEMCOG members and partners; there is a $75 charge for nonmember local governments. Seating is limited so you are encouraged to reserve a spot by Wednesday, February 1, 2006. Contact: Ken Bishop, SEMCOG Community and Economic Development Administrative Assistant, to RSVP. You can also register online at www.semcog.org; the link to the workshop is under Planning Issues on the home page.
2005 TIP surveys due February 17 SEMCOG is conducting its annual survey of projects in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This survey covers Fiscal Year 2005 and includes projects scheduled by cities, villages, transit agencies, county road commissions, and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the year, as well as ongoing projects from previous years. Surveys are used to track projects, gather cost information, and provide data for reporting to SEMCOG oversight committees and the public. Survey results also assist in determining long-term transportation needs in our region. Communities or agencies with projects in the survey have been notified by letter. The deadline for completing surveys is Friday, February 17, 2006. Contact: Steve Brudzinski, SEMCOG Transportation Policy Analyst.
Regional Review statistics for 2005 The Regional Review Office is the center of official review and comment activity at SEMCOG. This office coordinates reviews for federal, state, and local projects subject to a formal review and comment requirement. It also provides a statewide notification service for many federal programs. Through these reviews, SEMCOG ensures that federal grants are coordinated with the activities of local governments. In 2005, SEMCOG reviewed 312 applications, with a total cost of more than $524 million; total federal assistance requested was more than $329 million. All numbers are slightly lower than those recorded in 2004. Contact: Richard Pfaff, SEMCOG Regional Review Coordinator.
SAFETEA-LU Web pages updated On November 29, 2005, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) conducted an online listening session regarding the Metropolitan Planning Organization process and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). A link to the summary of that session has been posted on SEMCOG's Web site at www.semcog.org/TranPlan/ SAFETEA-LU.htm. The summary includes the presentation made by FHWA/FTA, a transcript of the session, and follow-up on questions not answered during the live session. SEMCOG's Web site will continue to be updated with other important information regarding SAFETEA-LU, so please check back often. Contact: Jennifer Evans, Coordinator, SEMCOG Transportation Programs.
Grants available for water cleanup The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announce the release of the 2006 Grant Application Package (GAP) for Michigan's Volunteer River, Stream, and Creek Cleanup Program (VRSCCP). A total of $32,154 is available under the program for Fiscal Year 2006. The Michigan VRSCCP provides small grants to local units of government to help implement cleanup of trash and debris within or along the banks of rivers, streams, and creeks to improve the waters in Michigan. Local units of government may partner with nonprofit organizations or other volunteer groups to carry out the cleanups. There is a minimum local match requirement of 25 percent of the total project costs. Application instructions are available online at www.glc.org/streamclean/app06. The GAP contains detailed instructions, including eligibility requirements and other information for developing a proposal, evaluation criteria, and items that should be included with the application. The deadline for submitting applications is February 24, 2006. Contact: John Hummer, Great Lakes Commission, (734) 971-9135 or e-mail jhummer@glc.org.
Grants available for school chemical waste reduction A total of $250,000 in funding is available through the Michigan Community Pollution Prevention Grant Program for waste reduction of school chemicals. The Department of Environmental Quality will provide matching grants to schools, school districts, county governments, local health departments, municipalities, and regional planning agencies to fund school chemical waste reduction. Projects should be innovative, transferable, and act as models to be shared by other communities across the state. Requests for funding are due by February 15, 2006. Contact: Audrey A. Wierenga, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, (269) 567-3509, or e-mail wierenga@michigan.gov.
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