Introduction to Hastings Sustainability Action Plan

By Bruce Jennings

Provides overview of Sustainability Action Plan developed under the direction of Bruce Jennings

Introduction by Trustee Bruce Jennings

There is a strong community sentiment and political will in Hastings to be more sustainable and to reduce the Village's carbon footprint. A major publicly announced goal of Board of Trustees for 2009-2010 is to be a model sustainable community. Mayor Swiderski stated "we seek to make Hastings one of the preeminent examples of sustainable planning and programs anywhere." Hastings has an active and informed citizenry, with a high degree of environmental literacy and concern. With other surrounding communities, Hastings has stewardship for a beautiful landscape, a vital watershed, and a rich historical heritage. Hastings has existing community groups, such as the Village Conservation Commission, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board, the Village Comprehensive Planning Committee, and Sustainable Hastings that focus community expertise on sustainability issues. The village has already taken many steps to improve its land use policies, zoning, waste management, storm water management, and local transportation in terms of energy conservation and ecological preservation. To continue progress on these fronts and to work in an even more systemic and effective fashion is the purpose of this Sustainability Action Plan 2009-2010. To that end, Hastings has joined the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and is following its guidance and using its tools and resources for sustainability assessment and planning. The village government, as the representative of the entire community, has a responsibility to fulfill the goals of sustainability, not only for ourselves, but also for those elsewhere whose well-being our practices affect, and for our children and those who will reside in this place after us.

Goals The overarching goal of the Hastings Sustainability Action Plan 2010 is to reduce the harmful impact of human activities and the built environment on the natural environment. In a word, to live more gently and sustainably on our land. In particular, this Action Plan outlines actions directed and supported by village government that will promote a more sustainable form of living through energy conservation, reduction of GHG discharge into the atmosphere, and protection of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the natural beauty and characteristics of our local landscape and watershed.

Overview The Hastings Sustainability Action Plan is divided into five basic sections: (1) energy and climate change adaptation/mitigation policies; (2) transportation; (3) waste management; (4) storm water management; and (5) biodiversity conservation. In each of these areas, village government will play a crucial role in three ways: (a) by setting an example through its own internal practices; (b) by setting out a framework of law and regulation that will shape the future of land use and the built environment in the village in the years ahead; and (c) by engaging and empowering private citizens through educational and information resources to live and act more sustainably in the use of their own property and in their own lives.