E.P.A. Awards $2.1 Million to Revitalize Urban Waters

(PHILADELPHIA, July 17, 2014) -- The E.P.A. is awarding $2.1 million to 37 organizations, among them the University of Baltimore, to help protect and restore urban waters, enhance water quality, and support community revitalization and other local priorities. The University of Baltimore will use its $59,827 E.P.A. grant to help clean up the Patapsco River watershed.

The backing is through EPA's Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, enhance and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land.

"Today's Urban Waters grant to the University of Baltimore is yet another example of EPA's commitment to the City of Baltimore and surrounding communities as they work to create a healthier, sustainable future," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "We commend the University for undertaking work that will engage neighborhood residents in volunteer water monitoring, educate students about their local streams, and inspire communities to value and protect their urban waters."

E.P.A. is awarding grants ranging from $40,000 to $60,000 for plans taking place in areas that align with the 18 designated Urban Waters Federal Partnership locations. The Patapsco River Watershed is one of the 18 locations. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership is made up of 13 federal agencies working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts. All funded plans work to advance environmental justice in their communities and focus on one of the following 3 categories: community greening and green infrastructure, communities and water quality data, and integration of water quality and community development in planning.

Urban waters include canals, rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, estuaries, bays and oceans in urbanized areas. Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance economic, educational, recreational and social opportunities in nearby communities. By reconnecting communities to their local urban waters, E.P.A. will help communities to actively participate in restoring urban waters while improving their neighborhoods.

Information on EPA's Urban Waters program: http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters

Information on the Urban Waters Federal Partnership: http://www.urbanwaters.gov/

To view a list of the selected plans that will be funded in 17 states and Puerto Rico, visit http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants.

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