Resources for Communities
Many communities in central Ohio have already taken steps toward establishing themselves as environmentally responsible. More and more residents and businesses are choosing the communities they live in based upon a community’s environmental standards. Changes can begin on a small scale, but still have a valuable and lasting impact—leading up to subsequent initiatives with even greater benefits. MORPC offers its member communities the opportunities and assistance to make green easy.
Central Ohio Green Pact
One by one central Ohio communities are signing on to a pact committing to take action to achieve an improved environment throughout each of their communities, and MORPC's Center for Energy and Environment is here to assist each community through implementation. Click here for resources that make carrying out the Green Pact easy.
Carbon Footprint Audit
MORPC and Center for Energy and Environment founding member, Ameresco have teamed up to offer all MORPC members a free energy audit. This audit will prepare your community for inevitable carbon regulations into the future and will help to find holes in your community’s energy efficiency that can be remedied for monetary savings as well as an improved environment.
To schedule your energy audit contact Leslie Strader at 614-233-4124.
Upper Arlington Carbon Footprint Final Report
GreenSpot Program Goes Regional
The City of Columbus GreenSpot program that was launced in July 2008 is now open to other communities in central Ohio. The GreenSpot program is designed to inspire, educate and recognize those in our community who are taking steps to get green. Households, businesses, organizations and community groups can apply for a GreenSpot by visiting www.columbusgreenspot.org. Those that qualify will receive a GreenSpot decal that can be displayed in there home or business and GreenSpot businesses will be
listed on the web site and can use the logo in their advertising.
Green Playbook
The Green Playbook provides local governments with guidance and resources to rapidly advance green buildings, neighborhoods and infrastructure.
Local Govenment Environmental Assistance Network Connects local governments together to help answer sustainability questions, provide resources.
Smarth Growth Toolkit
The Smarth Growth Toolkit is an online resource for smart growth implementation tools. This is a project of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The toolkit includes The Smart Growth Code and Zoning Audit, which helps local governments review the land use (zoning) codes and regulations their communities. This tool helps identify the rules and regulations in communities that support or block smart growth. It will also show the gaps in the regulations where a lack of standards may be hindering smart growth development.
Ohio Green Fleets Program
The Ohio Green Fleets program is designed to significanly reduce the emission and fuel use of business and governement vehicle fleets. This new certification program is composed of three components: helping fleet managers develop green fleet policies tailored to their specific needs, hands on assistance in implementing the policies, and the development of a statewide rating system to recognize those fleets that have made measurable environmental progress. Ohio Green Fleets a program of Clean Fuels Ohio and is presented in collaboration with the Ohio Energy Office, Earth Day coalition and several local and regional organizations, including MORPC.
Clean Diesel State and Local Toolkit
U.S. EPA's State and Local Toolkit is a combination of examples and procedures designed to help state, regional and local governments improve air quality and public health through diesel engine emission reduction efforts.
Model Weed Ordinance
A variety of landscapes add diversity and richness to the quality of life within communities. National Wildlife Federation's Model Weed Ordinace, helps communities provide standards for the development and maintenance of their landscapes, whether corporate, private, or public. The ordiance encourages the preservation, restoration, and management of native plant communities and wildlife habitats.
Emerald Ash Borer
Ash trees are being threatened by an insect, the Emerald Ash Borer. The Ohio State University has created a website to help your community deal with this devastating problem.
Reduce Waste
Ensuring proper disposal of waste and recycling of electronics is easy thanks to numerous resources.
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Recycling Database
The Waste Not Center
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore
Recycled Content Products
Recycle Your Cell Phones
US EPA’s Plug-In To eCycling Program has teamed up with leading cell phone manufacturers, service providers, and retailers to encourage Americans to recycle their cell phones and accessories.
Road Salt Alernatives
Northern Westchester Watershed Committee, Highway Deicing Task Force in New York have created a report outlining the impact of road salt as well as alternatives, BMP's, and strategies to decrease use of road salt. Additional resources made available by various organizations are available here and here.
Downspout Disconnection
Many communities are looking for ways to reduce stormwater entering their combined sewer systems or stormwater systems. Encouraging downspout disconnection is an easy way to do this. Downspout disconnection spreads rooftop runoff from individual downspouts across the lawn or yard where it filters or infiltrates into the ground. These are usually accompanied by the installation and use of on-site practices such as rain barrels, rain gardens, French drains, or dry wells. Use of these practices reduces the amount of impervious surfaces generating runoff which reduces the runoff volume entering the system as well as increasing groundwater recharge and the filtering of pollutants through the soil. Additional information about downspout disconnection can be found here along with a model ordinance from the city of Euclid, Ohio.
