A consortium of counties and planning agencies in the Rochester area expects to finish a regional sustainability plan by the end of March. | Project planners are gathering data and developing baselines for several things, including greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, and energy use, says David Zorn, executive director of the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council and the project manager. Planners will also develop recommendations for a list of issues, ranging from reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to economic development. To assist, they've convened groups of experts and interested people from environmental and economic sectors. | Officials plan to hold public meetings on the plan in January and February, though they haven't announced dates or locations. | Ultimately, the plan will pass through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. | Other regions across the state are preparing similar plans and the state has set aside $90 million for the regions to implement them. But the regions will have to compete for funding from that pot, which will be divided up and directed to specific projects. The Rochester region has already received a $900,000 state grant to develop its plan.