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FREE "BROWNFIELDS" CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 27 -29 IN PORTLAND HOUSE PASSES FISCAL YEAR 2004 HOMELAND SECURITY SPENDING BILL TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TILL JULY 18 City officials concerned about brownfields cleanup are encouraged to attend the eighth annual national Brownfields Conference, being held October 27 – 29 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland — on the west coast for the first time in several years. The conference, entitled "Growing a Greener America ", will be co- sponsored by League, the International City /County Management Association (ICMA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a number of other organizations. This year nearly $130 million in grants will be available to states, tribes and local communities for brownfields assessment, cleanup and redevelop- ment of contaminated land. The free conference offers a unique opportu- nity for city officials to hear presentations on a range of cleanup topics including redevelopment, revitalization, reuse, and assessment and cleanup of contaminated properties. This is the largest and most comprehensive event on these topics in the U.S. - attendance is expected to exceed 3,500. This national conference will not be back on the west coast for at least five years. City officials can register for this free confer- ence by visiting the conference website at www.brownfields2003.ora, where they can also find information about the conference program, travel scholarships, exhibiting, sponsoring and more. Applications for travel scholarships must be submitted by July 18. The website features fun new features such as the e- newsletter and a personal scheduler to plan your time at the conference as well as infor- mation about other great things to do while in Portland. Register now so you will be sure to get the most current information about mobile work- shops, before and after events and other confer- ence features. On Tuesday, June 24, the F'ouse passed its FY 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, H.R. 2555. The $29.4 billion bill will fund first responders, border and transportation security, immigration control, the Coast Guard, Secret Service, and various other activities of the Depart- ment of Homeland Security. Of the $29.4 billion, the bill provides $4.4 billion for the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP), Firefighters, and Emergency Management, includ- ing: • $1.9 billion for the State Homeland Security Formula Grant Program. States are required to pass through no less than 80% of these funds to local governments. • $500 million for new State and Local Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Grants. States are required to pass through no less than 80% of these funds to local governments. • $500 million for High- Threat, High - Density Urban Areas. • $200 million for Critical Infrastructure Grants. States are required to pass through no less than 80% of these funds to local govem- ments. $750 million for Firefighter Grants. " $168 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants. • $134 million for Technical Assistance, National Exercises, Standards, and Testing. The Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to consider its version of the bill after Congress returns from its July 4'h recess. PAGE 4 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org