[CPEO-BIF] EJ/Community Caucus at BF2004

[bobh@np.craigslist.org]

The National Brownfields Environmental Justice/Community Caucus has met at
each national Brownfields conference since 1997 in Kansas City.  Thought
it is open to everyone, it is designed as a forum for community members
from around the country to share their experiences with brownfields
cleanup and redevelopment.  That is, it provides activists with a chance
to be heard.  Usually, top EPA Brownfields program officials attend at
least one of the sessions.

In 2004 it will meet from 8pm to 10pm on both Monday, September 20th and
Tuesday, September 21st in the St. Louis Ballroom F&G at the Adam?s Mark
Hotel.

On Monday, most of the session will be devoted to introductions and
experience-sharing.  In addition, representatives of NIEHS? Brownfields
Minority Worker Training Program will make a follow-up presentation to
last year?s caucus session on job training.

On Tuesday, the Caucus will discuss concerns, raised by many caucus
participants, that ?Superfund-caliber? sites are being downgraded and
overseen through voluntary cleanup and other Brownfields-type programs. 
The Tuesday meeting will also consider mid-year activities for the caucus.

People interested in learning more about the caucus can visit the booth of
the Center for Public Environmental Oversight (CPEO) in the exhibit hall.

In addition to the caucus meetings, the following sessions at the
conference might also be useful for EJ/Community groups.

Brownfields 101:  Community Involvement and Stakeholder Engagement
Why do some community-local government collaborative efforts in
brownfields succeed, while others never get off the ground? What kinds of
incentives and public participation strategies are effective in creating
economic development opportunities and community benefits?
Moderator   Robert Hersh , Center for Public Environmental Oversight (CPEO)
Speaker   Larry Charles, Sr. , O.N.E./C.H.A.N.E., Inc.
Speaker   Kris Wernstedt , Resources for the Future
Speaker   Elena Rush , Spartanburg County
Time:  Monday, September 20, 1:30-:3:00
Room: 231 & 232


Coinage for Community Developers:  Financing Strategies for Non-Profits
More and more nonprofit and community organizations are managing
brownfield projects, and finding their own financial resources. Help
uncover new ideas for funding and financing packages for the growning
number of nonprofit "developers."
Moderator   Larry Charles, Sr. , O.N.E./C.H.A.N.E., Inc.
Speaker   Barry Trilling , Wiggin and Dana
Speaker   Michael Krause , Green Institute
Time:  Tuesday, September 21st,  1:45 ? 3:15
Room:  MOI 122


To Build or Not to Build at Vapor Intrusion Sites
Vapor intrusion is a controversial issue involving not only remediation
standards but also decisions by planners and builders whether and how to
build on property with volatile compound in soil or groundwater. Join the
debate and prepare for a lively session.
Moderator   Lenny Siegel , Center for Public Environmental Oversight
 Speaker   Henry Schuver , US. EPA
Time:  Wednesday, September 22, 1:00 ? 2:30
Room:  MOI 122

For more information about the EJ/Community caucus contact Lenny Siegel
(lsiegel@cpeo.org) tel: 650/961-8918, or Bob Hersh (bhersh@cpeo.org), 
tel: 978-464-5306.

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