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EPA Awards $2.1 Million to Revitalize Urban Waters Funding will go to projects nationwide, including University of Baltimore work in the Patapsco Watershed

Release Date: 07/17/2014
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(PHILADELPHIA, July 17, 2014) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $2.1 million to 37 organizations, among them the University of Baltimore, to help protect and restore urban waters, improve water quality, and support community revitalization and other local priorities. The University of Baltimore will use its $59,827 EPA grant to help clean up the Patapsco River watershed.

The funding is through EPA’s Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve 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 EPA 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.”

EPA is awarding grants ranging from $40,000 to $60,000 for projects 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 projects work to advance environmental justice in their communities and focus on one of the following three 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, EPA will help communities to actively participate in restoring urban waters while improving their neighborhoods.

Information on EPA’s Urban Waters program: https://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters

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

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