Environmental Element
Omaha is stepping up its efforts to become a greener city. In 2008, Omaha by Design partnered with the City of Omaha and the Mayor’s Office to launch Environment Omaha, a public policy initiative designed to address the sustainability of the city in a comprehensive manner. Environment Omaha covers five major content areas – the natural environment, urban form and transportation, building construction, resource conservation and community health. The end goal is the development of an Environmental Element that’s adopted by city government as part of Omaha’s master plan.
Mike McMeekin (Lamp, Rynearson & Associates) and Steve Jensen (Jensen Consulting) are the project co-chairs. Connie Spellman (Omaha by Design) is the project manager. An Environment Omaha Core Committee is guiding the process with the assistance of five volunteer advisory committees, one for each content area. More than 125 local professionals are involved in the effort. Select staff from the Rocky Mountain Institute are serving as project consultants.
Environment Omaha, which is receiving significant city staff and resource support, is funded by grants from the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency and the City of Omaha’s Stormwater Management Plan Program Grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
The public is encouraged to participate in the development of Environment Omaha. Visit www.environmentomaha.com to keep tabs on the initiative’s progress.