Farm Viability Program Applications Now Available

Proposed Changes to Brownfields Program
(from the April 14, 2008 Collaborative Bulletin, a publication of the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM))

Excerpts from press release from the Attorney General's office

April 10, 2008
ATTORNEY GENERAL MARTHA COAKLEY PROPOSES UPDATED BROWNFIELDS REGULATIONS TO ENCOURAGE REDEVELOPMENT AT CONTAMINATED SITES

BOSTON - Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office has proposed amendments to its Brownfields Covenant Program regulations in order to streamline the application process for future agreements and to create new incentives to redevelop abandoned or underutilized contaminated properties. The program, which has been in place since 1999, promotes environmental cleanup and economic development by providing liability protections to individuals or companies with redevelopment projects on contaminated property.
"Brownfields redevelopment is an important part of our economic development; it allows us to make our communities cleaner and safer, and contribute to smart growth in the already-developed areas of the state," said Attorney General Coakley. "By making the process for acquiring Brownfield Covenants more timely and predictable for developers, we are offering more incentives for this kind of development."

The Attorney General's Office is proposing several amendments to the current Brownfields Covenant regulations. Specifically, the amendments:

• Reduce the public comment period from 90 days to 30 days for applicants who did not cause or contribute to the contamination;
• Clarify public comment deadlines, agreement criteria, and rights of affected third parties;
• Eliminate certain procedural barriers to Brownfields Covenants for sites with the most difficult cleanups (those that may need "temporary solutions" under state cleanup requirements); and
• Create a more user-friendly, streamlined, timely and predictable process.

JOB OPENING: Development Director Connecticut River Watershed Council
15 Bank Row, Greenfield , MA 01301 www.ctriver.org

The Connecticut River Watershed Council has an immediate opening for a Development Director to oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising effort that will increase and diversify CRWC’s base of support. The position is 30 – 40 hours per week and reports to the Executive Director.

This is a great opportunity to join a team working in a four-state region on issues that will affect the basin’s uplands and lowlands, headwaters and tidal marshes, surface waters and aquifers, forests and farms, and cities and towns, for generations to come. With a clear vision, a successful track record that spans more than fifty years, and a dedicated staff and involved board, we are ideally poised to leverage greater support for our work to take a successful organization to the next level. The Development Director will be central to the success of this effort by increasing our capacity to capitalize on funding opportunities through membership, major donors, foundation and government grants, special events, and planned giving. This individual will supervise a part-time membership coordinator and work closely with the staff and board to implement fundraising activities to reach our goals.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan, including establishing campaign goals, in close coordination with the Executive Director.
• Identify existing and potential major donors and foster a strong personal connection between them and our work; coordinate personal contacts between supporters and the Executive Director, other staff and Board members.
• Oversee foundation giving, including developing foundation relationships, researching grant prospects, writing proposals and reports, and working with program staff to meet proposal and reporting deadlines.
• Conduct analysis of fundraising activities and plan future efforts.  When necessary, make recommendations for mid-course changes to respond to new opportunities or unexpected challenges.
• Build and manage strong member relationships including personalized communications, donor recognition program and involving supporters in CRWC’s programmatic work.
• Supervise the Membership Assistant in gift processing, including timely and appropriate acknowledgement for all contributors.
• Create membership and fundraising calendar and ensure that campaign activities are progressing as planned (i.e. renewal mailings, special appeals, event sponsorship and board reporting), paying close attention to deadlines.
• Prepare fundraising reports for, and participate in, the board’s fundraising committee.

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum 3-5 years proven success in development (government, foundation, corporate grants and partnerships, individual giving, special events, acquisition campaigns, endowments, and in-kind contributions);
• Proven ability to communicate persuasively and translate complex information into action-oriented information for wide audiences;
• Demonstrated ability to establish and cultivate relationships with people from different backgrounds and “make the ask” from major donor prospects;
• Demonstrated success in researching, identifying and submitting proposals to secure foundation and government grants;
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines;
• High motivation and ability to work both independently and within teams;
• Commitment to the mission and values of Connecticut River Watershed Council (www.ctriver.org);
• Strong computer skill and some familiarity with membership databases; and
• Flexibility and willingness to take on other tasks as needed.

Additional Details: The position will require some travel throughout the Connecticut River basin .  The salary is competitive and depends on experience. CRWC provides medical insurance and paid time off and is an equal opportunity employer. This is an exciting opportunity that offers excellent potential for professional growth and accomplishment.

APPLY TO: Send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to Regional Office Manager Alan Morgan at amorgan@ctriver.org (subject heading: Development Director) or 15 Bank Row, Greenfield , MA 01301 . No phone calls, please.  Writing samples and references may be included but are not required until an interview is requested. Please be sure to include salary requirements. Applications must be received by April 30, 2008. Interviews may start before the close of the application period.

ABOUT CRWC:
The Connecticut River Watershed Council protects critical natural resources, promotes public support for and involvement in river conservation, and increases public understanding and enjoyment of the Connecticut River basin from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound.  Founded in 1952, CRWC is one of the oldest watershed groups in the nation and we continue to be the sole regional independent advocate and voice for clean water across the entire Connecticut River basin . 

We advocate for clean water throughout the watershed – water that serves over 2 million residents and is home to more than 5,000 species of plants, insects, fish and animals that share our great basin.  We work on all fronts, using advocacy, restoration, education and outreach, and litigation, when necessary.  A few of our current projects are:

• We’re working to clean up urban sewage in metropolitan Springfield , Chicopee and Holyoke , MA . In 2006 we spearheading a broad-based public education campaign about sewage pollution that led to wholesale change and will eventually stop 1 billion gallons of sewage-laced pollution from entering local streams and rivers.
• CRWC also leads the group of partners working to halt a power company’s plans to further heat up the Connecticut River in southern Vermont and New Hampshire at its Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. The increased temperatures would harm fragile aquatic habitats and spawning fish. 
• In 2007, CRWC began a water quality testing program. Volunteers collected the first data on clarity, conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen at a half dozen sites in Massachusetts .  With that baseline data in hand, we’ll work to expand the testing program and ultimately use that work to press for enforcement of clean water standards. 
• CRWC is leading the way in cleaning up riverbanks that have been abused as dumping grounds for decades.  Tons of trash, tires, household appliances and chemicals have been creating hazards along waterways throughout the basin.  Since 1997, volunteers have removed close to 450 tons of trash.  In 2007, 2015 volunteers filled 1,283 bags with trash.
• Our restoration work focuses on dam removal or fish passage construction and remediation at these barriers. CRWC has opened over 44 miles of water and we currently have 6 restoration projects in the work with the opportunity to reconnect a combined total of 141.5 miles of aquatic habitat in Connecticut , Massachusetts and New Hampshire .

To learn more about our work and priorities, go to www.ctriver.org.
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Big News! DCR has posted the ACEC Inland Coordinator position. Please let your whole office know and anyone you know who may be interested - we're looking for the best candidate out there! We have less than two weeks for applications to come in.

Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Tuesday 4/29/08

Please see the posting at

https://jobs.hrd.state.ma.us/recruit/public/31100001/job/job_view.do?postingId=J14578&code=search.public

Or if you look at the DCR employment page

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/employment.htm

click on "DCR Vacancy Announcements" which will go to the Mass.gov job list sorted for DCR positions. 
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