UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IMPLEMENT PUBLIC POLICY RURAL COMMUNITY ACTION WITH A WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT1

ABSTRACT: This report summarizes the findings of a ten week study made by the eight member Urban and Environmental Studies Program student staff of the Rock Creek Area Community Projects Board to assist the Village in its search for funds to improve its inadequate water and sewage systems. The ten year history of the Village of Rock Creek in its previous attempts to secure funding from outside sources is summarized. An analysis of federal funding programs’criteria is developed. Recommendations and a step by step analysis of how to precure these funds by the Village Council is presented. This report highlights the ten week activity which successfully produced earmarked federal funds for the Village's water project.     

Global rarity of intact coastal regions

Management of the land–sea interface is essential for global conservation and sustainability objectives because coastal regions maintain natural processes that support biodiversity and the livelihood of billions of people. However, assessments of coastal regions have focused strictly on either the terrestrial or marine realm. Consequently, understanding of the overall state of Earth's coastal regions is poor. We integrated the terrestrial human footprint and marine cumulative human impact maps in a global assessment of the anthropogenic pressures affecting coastal regions. Of coastal regions globally, 15.5% had low anthropogenic pressure, mostly in Canada, Russia, and Greenland. Conversely, 47.9% of coastal regions were heavily affected by humanity, and in most countries (84.1%) >50% of their coastal regions were degraded. Nearly half (43.3%) of protected areas across coastal regions were exposed to high human pressures. To meet global sustainability objectives, all nations must undertake greater actions to preserve and restore the coastal regions within their borders.