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Edelstein Associates helps governments, businesses, and non-profits throughout the U.S. resolve difficult conflict situations and make effective strategic decisions. We focus on environmental and natural resource management issues, ranging from local community forums to national policymaking initiatives. Jeffrey L. Edelstein, P.E., principal of Edelstein Associates, combines a background as a Professional Engineer with a proven track record of mediation and facilitation.  He also serves as a Senior Consultant with the Consensus Building Institute (CBI), www.cbuilding.org.

Recent News:

Water Ohio - Kentucky Water Resources Dispute Successfully Resolved  
Edelstein Associates was selected by the U.S. EPA and governmental entities in the states of Ohio and Kentucky to mediate a complex cross-border dispute over drinking water and wastewater issues. This long-running conflict highlighted key issues related to the intersection between the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.  In 2009, after over a year of negotiations, the parties reached a full settlement built around an innovative joint research, monitoring, and notification program, which is now underway.    

Coastal Coastal Zone Management Act Moving Forward  
Jeff led the CBI facilitation team for this initiative, Envisioning the Future of Coastal Management, aimed towards re-crafting and reauthorizing the Coastal Zone Management Act to establish a new vision for U.S. coastal management. The outcomes of this initiative are now serving as the foundation for legislation to be submitted to Congress in the near future.  To learn more, go to: http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/czm/czma_vision.html

Renewable Energy Offshore Renewable Energy Policymaking Initiative
This initiative was convened by NOAA and the Coastal States Organization, in partnership with the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Minerals Management Service, US Fish and Wildlife, and USGS.  Jeff led the CBI facilitation team for this effort which brought these federal agencies together with leaders from the wind, tide and wave industries, NGO's, state agencies, research institutions, and public utilities. The goal was to discuss strategies to enable development of these important renewable energy sources to proceed in balance with the need to prevent undue environmental impacts from their wide-scale deployment.  The initial 2-day 50-person meeting was held in September, 2009 and next steps are now being planned.      

Climate Change Graph Climate Change National Roundtable
In connection with the 2009 national Climate Change and Collaborative Governance conference, Jeff convened and facilitated a roundtable bringing together national leaders affiliated with the Center for Climate Strategies, Clean Air-Cool Planet, the Climate Justice Project, the Committee for America's Climate Choices, the US Climate Action Partnership, the US EPA, and the US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.