Establishing a Municipal Sustainability Plan — The West Vincent Sustainability Plan
West Vincent Township's citizens recognize that their quality of life and prosperity depends on maintaining the attractiveness of their local built environment, reducing their tax expenditures and household expenses, relying less on costly foreign oil, protecting human health and becoming better stewards of the Earth. To meet these challenges, the Township has embarked on an ambitious and far-ranging policy plan to ensure a sustainable future. A task force of citizens and officials has identified five overall goals that will direct the plan, guided by "the five E's":
- Energy
- Environment
- Economy
- Equity, and
- Engagement
Measuring Sustainability at the Municipal Level
The task force identified measurable targets for each of the five "E's" goals:
Energy
A 50 percent reduction in West Vincent Township's municipal energy consumption will be achieved by 2020, including a 10 percent township-wide reduction. Township-wide carbon dioxide emissions are targeted for a 17 percent reduction by 2020, and 80 percent by 2050.
Environmental
Water, air, soil, and solid waste are addressed in this goal:
- Water: All Township-owned riparian areas will be forested by 2020, and all areas needing reforestation will be mapped by 2015. Non-point water pollution sources will be reduced by 20 percent, and all residential water use will be reduced by 15 percent by 2020.
- Air: The Township's municipal vehicle fleet will be converted to hybrid/biofuels and mowed areas will be reduced by 20 percent by 2020. Vehicle miles traveled by all automobiles in the township will be reduced by 5.5 percent by 2020.
- Soil: All public agricultural lands are to be farmed using regenerative practices, and residents will be educated in good land stewardship practices.
- Solid waste: Solid waste will be reduced by 40 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, including the use of recycling and composting.
Economic
The Township strives for diverse, appropriately scaled economic development, and encourages home occupations, family farming and mixed-use village development.
Equity
West Vincent Township recognizes that the entire community will benefit from economic prosperity, and the Township encourages adequate affordable housing and township-wide passive and active recreational opportunities.
Engagement
A sense of place, community connection and civic engagement is encouraged. A network of appealing public places will be created in Ludwig's Corner, in parks and in neighborhoods. Local government will reach out to residents through social events, neighborhood meetings and school programs.
The Task Force's plan will be presented to the Township Supervisors in late 2011 for adoption as an official statement of West Vincent Township's policies.