Encinitas, CA – May 12, 2009 -- What are the sustainability policies and practices of San Diego County’s 18 municipalities, the San Diego Unified Port District and the County itself?
The U.S Green Building Council’s San Diego Chapter (USGBC-SD) has set out to answer that question with an approximately 50-person volunteer team surveying each jurisdiction to establish a comprehensive inventory of current or anticipated policies and programs relating to green building and sustainability.
“The goal is to get a snapshot of where each jurisdiction is now and what its three-year implementation goals might be so that we can provide guidance as each one moves forward,” said Katy Willig, LEED – AP, Dudek’s environmental planning manager who is co-chairing the effort. “Agencies are at all different stages – some have yet to develop policies; some have policies but no programs; and others have programs and need that final step toward implementation.”
The USGBC-SD advocacy group includes public agency staff and representatives from diverse private sector specialties, including real estate, environmental consulting, construction, energy management, engineering, landscape architecture, and water management.
An Information Resource for Jurisdictions
“We are available as a resource to jurisdictions for information exchange or access to expertise,” Willig said. “We are building an excellent depository of information, particularly in regard to the agencies that are further along in establishing policies and programs. Sharing that knowledge with jurisdictions just starting out can help expedite their learning curve.”
The group focuses on advancing practices and policies in San Diego that address the effects of global climate change and promote sustainable building, including programs related to green building, water conservation, waste management, and energy management. “We can also help jurisdictions identify the ‘low hanging fruit’ for these programs that can be introduced fairly quickly and have an immediate impact.”
The inventory will result in a report on the current sustainability practices and programs of the county’s jurisdictions. Willig said once the inventory is completed, the group will continue as an information clearinghouse for sustainability practices in San Diego and provide support to local jurisdictions as they expand and implement these programs.
About Dudek
Dudek plans, designs, permits and manages projects involving natural resource mangaement, infrastructure development and regulatory compliance. Our environmental and engineering professionals help public and private clients develop the long-term value of their assets by ensuring projects are technically and economically sound, regulatory compliant, and sustainable. Founded in 1980, our main office is located in Encinitas, California with offices in Los Angeles, Irvine, Riverside, Palm Deser, Santa Barbara and Auburn. For more information, contact us at info@dudek.com.