Next Great City: Philadelphia - Volume III, Issue VI

On May 1, Councilmen Frank DiCicco and James Kenney will hold a hearing on legislation they have introduced to reduce waste in Philadelphia by banning plastic bags at all retailers or mandating a $.25 fee on plastic shopping bags, and
prohibiting Styrofoam food packaging in favor of biodegradable/compostable or recyclable disposable food service ware.

5 Easy Ways You Can Support Waste Reducing Legislation:

1) Attend the May 1 City Council Hearing, held in City Council Chambers, City Hall Room 400. RSVP to let us know you're coming.
2) Testify on May 1 or submit written testimony
3) Tell City Council to support this legislation
4) Email pictures of plastic bag and styrofoam waste and ;itter, documenting when and where the picture was taken. RecycleNOW Philadelphia will include it in a slide show that will be playing throughout the Council hearing.
5) Donate Your Extra Re-useable Bags to the reusable bag collection drive being held at the hearing, to provide re-useable bags to those who feel they can't afford one, and can't afford the $.25 bag fee.

The Schuylkill River Trail is an extremely popular and heavily used recreational asset in Philadelphia. But, it has the potential to be much more: a connector between numerous Philadelphia neighborhoods and suburbs, the region's first green transportation corridor for multiple communities, a strong catalyst for economic development, and a critical access point to open space and commuting paths for underserved neighborhoods.

In order to complete the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia, there are gaps that need to be closed and connections that need to be made. There are 9 trail segments that will close the most critical gaps and add nearly 5 miles to the trail. Gaining funding and support for these 9 trail segments is the goal that many groups and individuals share and are working together to achieve.

Take Action!  Declare your support for completing Greater Philadelphia's Schuylkill River Trail.

Attend PennFuture's sixth annual watershed workshop at the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford on April 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and start advocating outside the box!

This workshop will give grassroots watershed groups, conservancies, municipal government officials, and volunteers everything they need to make a strategic difference in water quality protection. Hear from leading environmental professionals and attorneys about the legal tools available to address local stormwater and wastewater management, and learn more effective ways to participate in the decision-making process.

The cost of the workshop is FREE to PennFuture members; $10 for non-members. A light breakfast, lunch and all materials are included. Space is limited and registration is required by Friday, April 17, 2009; register online or by calling 717-214-7920.

You won't want to miss the upcoming Philadelphia City Planning Commission meeting on April 21 at 1:00 p.m. on the 18th Floor of 1515 Arch Street where the commission will consider two important items.

First, as we mentioned in the last NGC newsletter, the Commission will hold a public meeting to consider accepting the Civic Vision for the Central Delaware put forward by Penn Praxis and the Central Delaware Advisory Group as the framework for future planning.  Thousands of Philadelphians took part in forming the vision, and Mayor Nutter has embraced both the vision and action plan.

In addition, the Planning Commission will also be presented with a bill that defines several classes of bicycle parking spaces and requires bicycle parking spaces to be provided in office, retail and other commercial buildings, large multiple family units, parking lots and low-occupancy buildings that obtain a zoning permit. The Bicycle Coalition worked with the Nutter Administration on this bill and commends Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, Kenney and Jones for introducing this measure. 

The public is welcome at this meeting, and we encourage you to come and show your support.