GAO finds land exchange programs are rife for abuse by developers and timber companies, and suggests that federal agencies discontinue the programs.
A report by the U.S. General Accounting Office concludes that developers and timber companies benefit at the expense of the public from deals that are supposed to help protect natural resources. The report, which examimed only 51 of over 2000 deals, includes an example where The federal Bureau of Land Management sold one 70 acre Nevada parcel of land for $763,000 to a developer, who turned it around the same day for $4.6 million.
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Rep. Miller Urges Halt To Swaps of U.S. Land

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service