|
Environmental Management
Goals of this program are to promote environmental plan
recommendations, maintain liaison with federal, state, and local
government agencies, disseminate current information about environmental
programs and requirements, and evaluate and review development proposals
for their environmental impact. Planners provide direct assistance
to communities in developing environmental management and resource
protection programs, assess the environmental impact of development
proposals, and participate in various federal and state environmental
programs.
An inventory of the region's agricultural, natural and
cultural resources is being conducted as an important element of the
Regional Comprehensive Plan. The inventory will also provide the necessary
background information for updating the Open Space and Recreation Plan,
and Sewer Service Area Plans, which have guided the Commission's planning
efforts since 1977 and 1985 respectively. In addition to the
collection and display of data in tabular form, key elements of the
inventory will include the preparation of updated maps of many natural and
cultural resource elements tied to East Central's regional GIS coverage.
Once the inventory has been completed, a major focus of this work element
will be to develop policies and strategies related to the preservation,
protection, and enhancement of the region’s key resources.
Nonmetallic Mining Reclamation Program:
East Central administers the Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter
NR-135, nonmetallic mining reclamation program for Winnebago, Outagamie,
Shawano, Waupaca and Calumet Counties. The overall goal of NR-135 is to
provide a framework for statewide regulation of nonmetallic mining
reclamation. The rule does this by establishing uniform reclamation
standards and setting up a locally-administered reclamation permit
program.
Niagara Escarpment Management
The goal of this program is to continue coordinating a
multi-region effort to inventory and assess various environmental,
economic, social, and land use factors related to, and impacting upon, the
Niagara Escarpment and adjacent areas. This work element is being
coordinated with state and federal agencies, county and local units of
government, private landowners, and local non-profit/conservation groups.
East Central staff co-leads a formalized regional planning
effort in conjunction with the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission and
the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This organization has
been formalized and is known as the Niagara Escarpment Resource Network.
This activity requires that the entities oversee various agency and local
planning and research projects to ensure better communication and
information exchange. Additionally, continued contact with members
of Ontario, Canada’s Niagara Escarpment Commission will be maintained to
keep abreast of planning related issues and foster the exchange of ideas
at the international level.
|
