Colgate University

Environmental Studies 480 – Service Learning Project

Fall 2006

This project will form a major portion of your effort in ENST 480 during the semester.   We will be working co-operatively with CAP-21 (take a look at their website at http://www.cap-21.org/) and Riverstreet Consultants to develop a proposal for the funding of a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) in the towns of Forestport, Webb and Inlet in the south-central Adirondacks.  This proposal will include maps, graphics and text and will be submitted to the New York State Department of State (DOS) for funding. (Refer to the class website for the project boundary text file.)

Our tasks related to the LWRP will focus on development of materials (text, maps, graphics) that will comprise the “Inventory and Analysis” section of the proposal that will be forwarded to the DOS.  This inventory “shall describe existing natural and man-made resources and conditions within the revitalization area, as well as analyses of issues, opportunities and constraints to development.  The inventory and analysis will also include maps and graphics at an agreed upon scale and level of detail. The inventory and analysis will be provided to the Department of State for review and approval.” (as described in the LWRP Planning Document “task list”).  “Topics to be addressed include, but are not limited to, the following:”

Existing land use including existing or potential brownfields

Existing water use

Existing zoning and other relevant local development controls

Land ownership patterns including underwater lands

Public access and recreational resources

Infrastructure (i.e. water supply, telecommunications, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal and transportation systems

Historic resources (National Register sites and districts, locally designated resources, archeological resources)

Scenic resources

Topography and geology

Water quality (point and non-point sources)

Natural resources (wetlands, steep slopes, minerals, etc)

Flooding and erosion

Fish and wildlife habitats

Environmental issues (hazardous waste sites, solid waste, etc.)

Redevelopment pressures

Economic trends

Navigation and dredging issues

The plan that is ultimately developed for the LWRP projects will focus on five major areas of concern for the municipalities involved.  These concerns should be considered as we develop the inventory and analysis.

            Sewer and water

            Affordable /Workforce housing

            Zoning/Codes updates

            Eurasian Milfoil

            Protecting and sustaining community character

For the class, our initial task will be to decide how best to organize ourselves to produce the desired outcomes.  Since we are a group with varied backgrounds, skills and interests, how should we tackle this project?  Should we work as individuals or in teams?  How do we divide or group the inventory items? What data and resources already exist?  What new data do we need to gather? How do we manage workflow?  What are the expected work products?  What are the deadlines needed to produce a complete draft inventory by November 21 and a final product by December 12? 

These questions will be considered over the first weeks of class, with final planning for production of the inventory and analysis section in place by September 21.  You will each be asked to complete a “Value of In-kind Service” time sheet that documents time spent on your portion of the project.  Your individual and group contributions, in terms of quantity, quality, and timeliness, will form the basis of evaluation for grading purposes. Your ability to communicate your research results effectively to a variety of audiences will also be a critical component of the project and your performance in the seminar.

This is a real project with real consequences.  Professors Kraly and Selleck will oversee the work but the project’s quality and timely completion are the responsibility of students in ENST 480 during the fall term of 2006.