The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) and the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 offer state governments a voluntary partnership with the federal government to protect coastal resources. To receive federal funding, participating states must create approved coastal zone management programs. The Act calls for the coordination of state and local water quality plans and specifies that federal agency activity “within or outside the coastal zone that affects any land or water use or natural resource of the coastal zone” must.. Read More

This guidebook by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency illustrates parking issues faced by municipalities and explains suggested alternatives to parking. Viewed through the lens of the impact of parking on the environment, the importance of mixed-use, walkable areas that balance parking with other environmental concerns are illustrated through case studies of cities throughout the United States that municipalities can look to for assistance with Smart Growth. .. Read More

Community opposition is often a barrier to implementing Transit Oriented Development (TOD). In suburban areas, residents may feel that TOD will cause noise, air pollution, increased congestion and crime into their communities. This study was completed by the Mineta Transportation Institute to determine whether TODs have a negative effect on surrounding residential neighborhoods, which is shown through lower housing prices. Studying the impact of four San Francisco Bay Area suburban TODs and the data compiled suggested that homes within 0.5 mile.. Read More

Density is a key factor in in the success of smart growth and can often be opposed by communities because poorly designed density adds to public frustration. This report emphasizes the importance of a balanced perspective when considering how density should be created and what it should look like. To assist communities in achieving a balanced perspective, the report explains the benefits of density in a community, provides case studies of the success of well-designed density, and design principles that can be applied by local communities to suc.. Read More

The instructions formed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides an overview of the process a municipality should use in conducting a Build-Out Analysis. This document contains helpful information on what a Build-Out Analysis is and why it is a useful tool, issues that should be considered when conducting an Analysis and additional information that is available on conducting one. The instructions details two phases in the process, Phase I which visually depicts changes on a map and Phase II which quantifies the impact of the changes.. Read More

This conservation easement is a model that demonstrates the necessary elements of a conservation easement, specifically the easement address provisions that may be relevant for properties that intend to stay as working farms or ranches. The source of this sample is the Red Lodge Clearinghouse, which seeks to resolve resource conflicts in the western U.S. .. Read More

This report was developed to assist federal, state, local government agencies, real estate developers and investors, and communities to understand the important relationship between the built and natural environments. A review of scientific literature for this report shows transportation infrastructure, and building siting and design can directly and indirectly affect environmental quality, human health, natural habitats, and community quality of life. This report details the ways that how we build and where we build effects the natural environ.. Read More

This conservation easement is a model that demonstrates the necessary elements of a conservation easement. The sample was utilized by the Natural Lands Trust and its source is from The Conservation Easement Handbook: Managing Land Conservation and Historic Preservation Easement Programs (1988) compiled by the Trust for Public Land in conjunction with the Land Trust Alliance. This sample is discussed in the commentary Conservation Easements & Land Trusts: Overview, Examples and their Role in the Development Process, written by Sam Brown... Read More

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 seeks to establish that all practicable means and measures be used to promote the general welfare and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony. Under the Act, Congress seeks cooperation from agencies, and international and national cooperation, in attempting to reach their goals. .. Read More

This report is part of a series of report and tools developed as a part of the U.S. Department of Energy Transportation Energy Futures project. There is a substantial amount of literature that examines the relationship between the built environment, travel, and energy use and this report reviews and summarizes it. It was developed with the intent to inform national policy experts and decision makers about how changes to land use and the built environment could reduce transportation energy use and identifies possible federal actions that effect .. Read More

This model ordinance provides a framework for flood loss reduction regulations for use by any state in conjunction with affected counties or municipalities. Section one explicitly delegates State authority to local governmental bodies to adopt regulations to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of residents. Flood losses occur because of the cumulative effect of obstructions in special flood hazard areas. The purpose of the model ordinance is to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by reducing losses due to flooding by ma.. Read More

The sections of this manual are designed to parallel a typical municipality’s land development plans, regulations, and related policies. It begins by presenting strategies to integrate LEED-ND criteria into local planning policies as expressed in comprehensive plans and special area plans. It then presents strategies for incorporating LEED-ND criteria into traditional zoning code sections, site plan and subdivision regulations, and other land use development standards, including building and related codes. Finally, it introduces strategies for .. Read More

Washington D.C District Opportunity to Purchase Act (DOPA) maintains the affordable status of existing housing and increases the number of affordable housing in the District. DOPA requires rental property owners to provide the District of Columbia with the opportunity to purchase housing accommodations consisting of five or more rental units if 25 percent or more of those rental units are “affordable”. The District’s right to purchase is subordinate to a tenant’s right to purchase under the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)... Read More