May 14, 2002

Dear Colleague:

By now you have received an invitation from the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) to attend a briefing on May 22, 2002, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.  The briefing will address "Recommendations for Achieving Sustainable Communities: Science and Solutions."  We hope you will join us in attending this informative briefing.

The term "sustainable communities" includes an array of topics important to your states and districts, such as: urban sprawl and loss of open space, transportation planning, economic development, brownfields redevelopment and urban revitalization, innovative taxation policies, reduction of perverse subsidies, post-disaster rebuilding, watershed planning, and renewable energy and energy conservation.  
 
New scientific information and technical tools are needed to provide innovative approaches for sustainable communities.  Members and staff will have the opportunity to learn and ask questions about how their states and districts can improve and benefit by making science an integral part of innovation in developing sustainable communities. You will learn why creating a partnership between scientists and communities can increase quality of life for residents, and how your states and districts can develop such projects such as community learning centers, which are designed to help citizens learn about integrating environmental and social concerns into economic development decisions. Members will be greatly assisted with sustainable community outreach efforts to business, industry, government and other interested parties. The event will be moderated by Ambassador Richard Benedick, President, NCSE.  The expert panel will include:

• A. Karim Ahmed, PhD., President, Global Children's Health and Environment Fund  
• David Blockstein, PhD., Senior Scientist, NCSE

We hope you will attend this important briefing and enhance your ability to help your constituents.  It is supported by the Livable Communities Task Force, the Senate Smart Growth Task Force and Northeast-Midwest Coalition, and House Science Committee Chairman Boehlert. This briefing is open to you and your staff. For more information or to confirm the attendance of you or your staff, please contact Kim Zarish-Becknell or Mia Dell at 202-225-5751.

Sincerely,

Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr.
Livable Communities
Task Force-Co Chair

Rep. Earl Blumenauer           
Livable Communities
Task Force-Co Chair

Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert
Chairman House Science Committee
Coalition-Chair

Rep. Jack Quinn
Northeast Midwest

Questions? conference@NCSEonline.org