Benefits NIMBYISM or 'not in my backyard' is a phenomenon that occurs when a vocal minority comes together to form an opposition group against proposed developments that are brought to their area. Whether a project is large or small, no project is immune to NIMBY-type opposition. Unfortunately, all too often, public opposition to projects can often have distressing results to developers in the form of costly delays or even the cancellation of...

Benefits This live audio conference will describe the major elements and issues under the 1996 Federal cell tower zoning statute, including the FCC's 2009 shot clock rule setting 90/150 day deadlines to act on zoning applications, the pending FCC Notice of Inquiry on cell tower zoning, the major federal zoning cases involving cellular towers and practice pointers on how municipalities can successfully handle cell tower zoning cases. You will g...

Benefits Navigating the terrain of federal grant requirements can be complex and confusing. Grant recipients as well as novice auditors may be checking the boxes but not understand how what they are doing fits into the larger picture. If you need a refresher on the basics or are interested in pursuing federal funding, this live audio conference will help both federal grant recipients as well as their auditors understand the basics of what is r...

Benefits With the United States having an estimated 100 year's worth of undeveloped gas reserves, the exploration for and the extraction of natural gas from shale formations throughout the United States have taken the forefront in the oil and gas industry, but not without some controversy. There is great controversy and concern over the methods and chemicals used to extract gas from shale formations, especially the use of hydraulic fracturing....

Benefits Conventional wisdom (and EPA policy) has provided that any person shipping hazardous materials to a disposal facility will end up being jointly and severally liable, with all other entities shipping materials to the facility, for any costs of cleaning up contamination at the facility. Likewise, conventional wisdom and EPA policy have informed up that manufacturers or producers who deal with certain types of contractors or subcontracto...

Benefits Conservation subdivisions offer unique growth management opportunities for both elected officials and developers. Participants will learn how conservation lands can be identified, preserved and serve as the building blocks for new communities. Learn how a few critical changes to subdivision and zoning codes can produce compact developments interwoven with greenway lands. View case studies and learn six design principles that produce b...

Benefits Any proposed project involving wetlands or other waters of the United States is likely to require some type of permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As the federal agency responsible for regulating impacts to wetlands, the Corps' regulations and the permit process can represent a significant part of a project's development. The identification of wetlands or other waters on a project site, determination of federal jurisdic...

Benefits Real estate development in the proximity of higher education institutions, whether undertaken by the institution itself, a private concern or a joint venture between the educational institution and a private concern, presents a myriad of issues above and beyond what is normally encountered with conventional real estate development projects. These issues often include complicated questions related to income, real estate and sales taxes...

Benefits The recent activity in the charitable sector by federal and state regulatory agencies has mandated that professionals take a proactive approach into all aspects of this important and very diverse sector. The tax-exempt community is under a microscope. Problems that a few years ago might have gone unnoticed now get picked up and widely broadcast. Recent IRS compliance initiatives in governance, transparency, abusive tax avoidance trans...

Benefits Water supply around the world has become one of the major tasks facing municipal managers and stake holders. Desalination has often been regarded as too expensive because it consumes too much energy. Environmental concerns have also been expressed by local groups that fear their beaches and shoreline will be harmed if desalination plants are built nearby. Beginning in 2000, large (25 million gallons per day and larger) desalination pl...