A dozen business and environmental leaders who are serving on the executive committee of the New England Livable Communities Partnership held their first meeting today, Oct. 12, at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Boston. This 36-member committee is being formed to guide regional and state activities in New England aimed at combating sprawl. At the meeting, the partnership discussed the role of the group and how it can best serve as a resource to promote livable communities. The 12 founding members of the committee also discussed the process for selecting individuals to fill the remaining slots.
The partnership took shape as a direct result of EPA-New England’s smart growth conference, held last February in Boston, which was attended by more than 1,000 business, political and environmental leaders. At that time, EPA’s New England Administrator John P. DeVillars called sprawl “the number one environmental issue facing New England” and suggested the importance of forming a partnership. Members are chosen for their interest and knowledge as it relates to sprawl.
“We are looking for a strong collection of creative thinkers and doers who will provide critical input on the tools and policies we need to address unchecked and unplanned development in New England communities,” said DeVillars. “Through these and other smart growth efforts, we can make New England a national model for livability in the 21st Century.”
The partnership will meet quarterly to bridge the gap among the many local smart growth efforts in New England and to generate ideas on how to revitalize urban centers, help suburbs grow in smarter ways, and protect rural areas. Finally, the partnership will give input to member organizations and other groups involved with land use policies.
Anyone with a background in smart growth issues who wishes to be considered for the executive committee is invited to send a one-page letter of interest and a resume to: Carl Dierker, Regional Counsel, EPA, One Congress St., Suite 1100 (RCA), Boston, MA 02114-2023.
From the Daily Regulatory Reporter
