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EPA PROGRAMS CAN BENEFIT YOUR COMMUNITY

Release Date: 8/10/1999
Contact Information: Bonnie Lomax (215) 814-5542 & Bonnie Smith (215)814-5543

PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency helps communities, businesses and organizations who want to build a healthy and sustainable future. One of these mid-Atlantic regional programs may offer a new opportunity that is just what you or your community is seeking.

Brownfields Program

More than 25 towns, cities, and counties in the mid-Atlantic region are reclaiming industrial sites in ways protective of human health and the environment. A brownfield is a site that has actual or perceived contamination and a potential for reuse. Cleaning up brownfield properties eliminates potential health risks, improves the standard of living, and helps restore a community’s economic vitality. The brownfields program removes barriers to redevelop sites through education and public/private partnerships. Go to:https://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/brownfld/hmpage1.htm or contact Tom Stolle at 215-814-3129 or [email protected] for more information.

Business Assistance Center

Owners and employees of small and medium-sized business call Region III’s Business Assistance Center for help in cutting through the red tape of regulatory requirements. In addition, the Center helps companies explore new options to eliminate waste and improve competitiveness. Information about this free services can be found at https://www.epa.gov/region03/sbac/ by calling the center at 800-228-8711 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, Monday through Friday or e-mail [email protected].

Environmental Education

In the past six years, hundreds of community organizations, schools, universities, and local governments have increased the awareness, knowledge, and skills of students, senior citizens, and teachers to make informed
decisions on environmental issues. If you are interested in applying for a grant, go to: https://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html or contact Nan Ides, environmental education grants coordinator at 215-814-5546 or e-mail at [email protected].

In addition to grants, EPA has a wealth of information on education programs in areas including non-point source pollution, energy conservation, and lead in the home. Regional projects are described at https://www.epa.gov/region03/projects.htm.

Environmental Justice

The Office of Environmental Justice is supporting and encouraging minority and low-income populations to become meaningfully involved in environmental decision making in their communities. The office also assures agency programs and policies don’t negatively impact these populations. Since 1994 EPA has provided grants to non-profit organizations to plan and carry out projects addressing environmental justice issues through organization building, environmental education, and training. Contact Reggie Harris at 215-814-2988 or e-mail harris. [email protected] for additional information.

Green Communities Program

The Green Communities Program is designed to help communities become sustainable. By accessing the Green Communities Assistance Kit, EPA’s on-line toolkit, the information can help communities plan for a healthy environment, a strong economy and a higher quality of life. Many organizations have used the Green Communities Assistance Kit to: 1) perform a community assessment; 2) analyze its trends; 3) envision the future; 4) develop an action plan; and 5) implement the plan. The website links to over 1,000 other web sites, it is https://www.epa.gov/region3/greenkit. Contact Susan McDowell at 215-814-2739 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

Sustainable Development

EPA created sustainable development challenge grants to encourage communities, businesses, and government to work together to develop flexible, locally-oriented approaches to environmental management. This May, four projects involving economic prosperity, environmental protection, and community well-being were funded in Washington, D.C., Landover, Md., Moyers, W.Va. and Philadelphia. Visit https://www.epa.gov/region03/sdwork/grants.htm or contact Theresa Martella at 215-814-5423 or Kyle Zieba at 814-5420 or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].
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