Overview of Series
The commercial real estate industry recognizes that water management and other related issues are playing an increasing role in the development and maintenance of commercial properties as governments at every level debate water quality, usage and conservation. The commercial real estate industry must increasingly incorporate water capacity, management and runoff in the planning development and overall productivity of commercial projects.
The federal government primarily maintains jurisdiction over pollutant discharges and water quality standards for surface water through the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Under the CWA, various federal programs have been implemented to regulate water issues that often set the floor by allowing states and local governments to adopt more stringent regulations. The states and local governments have been active in setting more stringent standards and will often approach our federal leaders in Washington, D.C. seeking the adoption of a consistent federal standards that will establish a unified approach towards a particular water issue and. In addition, state and local leaders will at times ask Congress and the Administration to set a federal standard that is consistent with their state or local standard in order to level the playing field by not placing their state or local community at an economic disadvantage for setting a local benchmark above the federal standard.
As governments continue to play a greater role in water management issues, it is important for NAIOP members to understand and engage government officials in the discussion so that appropriate legislation and regulations are adopted that will fundamentally address the issue without having unintended consequences.
With this in mind, the Government Affairs Department will host a series of member-only online briefings that will provide NAIOP members with an important understanding and update of the issues, technology and best practices which will establish a basis in which to engage elected officials in the public policy debate. In addition to the September 17th briefing, the briefings will specifically focus on common water-related issues that impact the commercial real estate industry, such as:
- Water Quantity (desalination, rainwater harvesting and water reuse)
- Federal and State Rules and Regulations (i.e., water runoff and low impact development initiatives)
- Water Standards and Conservation
- Intergovernmental and Public Private Partnerships
- Regional Issues
- Best Practices, Latest Technologies and Incentives
For more information, contact Toby Burke at (703) 904-7100, ext. 116.
Archives
Access to the archived Government Affairs Water Series presentations is a member only benefit.
The archive of each session contains the audio and PowerPoint presentation from the live Water Series presentation. The archives for the complete session are archived at GoToMeeting.com and registration may be necessary.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Featured Speakers
Leah F. Pilconis (bio), consultant on Environmental Law and Policy, senior advisor to The Associated General Contractors of America
Topic: U.S. EPA’s Groundbreaking Changes to the National Stormwater Runoff Program
Bethany Eisenberg LEED AP (bio), director of Stormwater Services, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.
Topic: Stormwater Management Today - New Regulations and Low Impact Development in Practice
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