Gulf of Mexico Alliance receives EPA funding for water quality improvement in Louisiana
DALLAS, TEXAS (March 27, 2024) – The Gulf of Mexico Alliance recently received a grant for more than $1.4 million from the Gulf of Mexico Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will be used to improve water quality in northeast Louisiana.
As part of the project, farmers will learn how to adopt innovative farming practices, that can decrease nutrient runoff while also enhancing the farmers’ cash crop. When excessive runoff from farms enters into local waterways, it can negatively impact wildlife, human usage (such as fishing and swimming) and water quality down to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone. Using rice as a cover crop also has the added benefit of creating habitat for waterfowl.
This project will take place in the Bayou Lafouche watershed, along Upper Bayou Galion, and Bayou Coulee and will continue through 2026.
In addition to local farmers, the Alliance is working with state agency partners to implement the project, including the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry/Office of Soil and Water Conservation, and Morehouse Soil and Water conservation District.
The project will also include educational components as well as research into how to prevent runoff from contributing to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone.
“This funding will bring critical health protections and economic opportunities to the communities in the Gulf who have been overburdened by pollution,” said Acting Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne M. Gettle. “We look forward to seeing transformative projects that will work to advance protection and restoration of vital watersheds.”
“The Gulf Coast communities understand the environmental issues impacting this watershed and they are eager to develop innovative solutions to safeguard this resource,” said Region 6 Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “This funding will implement climate resilience strategies, provide improvements in water quality, and ensure that coastline habitats continue to thrive. I would like to thank all the parties involved in this announcement for ensuring this critical watershed is maintained and protected.”
“A multi-faceted project like this touches on several of our priority issues, from improving water quality in and around the Gulf to supporting underserved communities and creating habitat for wildlife,” said Laura Bowie, executive director for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. “Thank you to EPA and to our partners for supporting important projects like this.”
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a regional partnership focused on enhancing the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico through increased collaboration. Led by the five Gulf states, our network includes over 150 participating organizations from state and federal agencies, tribal governments, communities, academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry. Priority issues addressed by the Alliance include coastal community resilience; data and monitoring; education; habitat; water resources; wildlife and fisheries; and marine debris. gulfofmexicoalliance.org
The Gulf of Mexico Division is a non-regulatory program of EPA founded to facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the region. To carry out its mission, the Gulf of Mexico Division continues to maintain and expand partnerships with state and federal agencies, federally recognized tribes, local governments and authorities, academia, regional businesses and industries, agricultural and environmental organizations, and individual citizens and communities.
For more information visit: www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
As part of the project, farmers will learn how to adopt innovative farming practices, that can decrease nutrient runoff while also enhancing the farmers’ cash crop. When excessive runoff from farms enters into local waterways, it can negatively impact wildlife, human usage (such as fishing and swimming) and water quality down to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone. Using rice as a cover crop also has the added benefit of creating habitat for waterfowl.
This project will take place in the Bayou Lafouche watershed, along Upper Bayou Galion, and Bayou Coulee and will continue through 2026.
In addition to local farmers, the Alliance is working with state agency partners to implement the project, including the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry/Office of Soil and Water Conservation, and Morehouse Soil and Water conservation District.
The project will also include educational components as well as research into how to prevent runoff from contributing to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone.
“This funding will bring critical health protections and economic opportunities to the communities in the Gulf who have been overburdened by pollution,” said Acting Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne M. Gettle. “We look forward to seeing transformative projects that will work to advance protection and restoration of vital watersheds.”
“The Gulf Coast communities understand the environmental issues impacting this watershed and they are eager to develop innovative solutions to safeguard this resource,” said Region 6 Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “This funding will implement climate resilience strategies, provide improvements in water quality, and ensure that coastline habitats continue to thrive. I would like to thank all the parties involved in this announcement for ensuring this critical watershed is maintained and protected.”
“A multi-faceted project like this touches on several of our priority issues, from improving water quality in and around the Gulf to supporting underserved communities and creating habitat for wildlife,” said Laura Bowie, executive director for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. “Thank you to EPA and to our partners for supporting important projects like this.”
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a regional partnership focused on enhancing the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico through increased collaboration. Led by the five Gulf states, our network includes over 150 participating organizations from state and federal agencies, tribal governments, communities, academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry. Priority issues addressed by the Alliance include coastal community resilience; data and monitoring; education; habitat; water resources; wildlife and fisheries; and marine debris. gulfofmexicoalliance.org
The Gulf of Mexico Division is a non-regulatory program of EPA founded to facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the region. To carry out its mission, the Gulf of Mexico Division continues to maintain and expand partnerships with state and federal agencies, federally recognized tribes, local governments and authorities, academia, regional businesses and industries, agricultural and environmental organizations, and individual citizens and communities.
For more information visit: www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
EPA Announces a $4,000,000 Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant to the City of Austin
DALLAS, TEXAS (March 27, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing that the City of Austin will receive a Solid Waste Infrastructure Grant (SWIFR) of $4,000,000 to construct and maintain a new reuse warehouse. The warehouse will be an onsite space for redistributing used furniture and building materials and hosting programming. As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, this grant will improve recycling systems in Austin.
“Through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, EPA has given more than $100 million to cities like Austin to ensure underserved areas can increase their capacity for solid waste recycling and reuse,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Today’s grant will help our partners in Austin extend the life of furniture and building materials, prevent more landfill waste, and help families in need.”
“EPA is proud to support the City of Austin in its efforts to provide its citizens with valuable goods that might otherwise end up in a landfill,” said Cliff Villa, Deputy Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. “By redistributing used furniture and building supplies, Austin’s new reuse warehouse will help reduce waste, assist those transitioning out of homelessness, create a circular economy, and build a more resilient community.”
“Reduce, reuse, recycle: Austin is moving closer toward achieving our long-term goal of zero waste. By preventing usable yet bulky furniture from overwhelming our landfills, we can help our most vulnerable neighbors get back on their feet and create a welcoming home for themselves and their families. The Infrastructure Law I supported is delivering for Central Texas, and I look forward to continue working to obtain additional federal resources for our community,” said Congressman Doggett (TX-37).
“Right now, far too many materials are wasted when they could be recycled and reused by people in need. Improved recycling not only lets these items have a second life — but they’ll be a lifeline to struggling Austinites,” said Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35). “I’m grateful for the Biden Administration supporting this creative way of reducing waste while helping people get back on their feet.”
“Through this grant, Austin will be able to get good used furniture out of our landfills and into the homes of folks transitioning out of homelessness. It’s an innovative and sustainable approach to reducing waste in our city and helping those most vulnerable create a stable home. Thank you to our congressional delegation for your work,” said Mayor Watson.
“We are excited that the EPA has selected our initiative for their grant program,” says Richard McHale, Director of Austin Resource Recovery. “The reuse warehouse will connect valuable items, like furniture, to Austinites who can use them. It will also keep these items out of the landfill as we continue to work toward zero waste.”
The City of Austin has a surplus of valuable goods that are going to the landfill due to space constraints and limited reuse. Austin Resource Recovery, a department of the City of Austin, intends to use the EPA grant funding to permanently fill the resource gap by opening a new reuse warehouse. The new warehouse will accept and redistribute used furniture at no cost to nonprofits and their clients, with a focus on furnishing the homes of those transitioning out of homelessness. The warehouse will eventually expand to also accept building materials. The overall goal of this project will be to reduce the amount of furniture and building materials sent to landfills annually.
This grant reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste management. Last year, EPA announced over $105 million for the selectees of the historic SWIFR grants for states and communities. These improvements support a circular economy and help lower greenhouse gas emissions, while rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, powered by well-paying jobs that don’t require four-year degrees.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
“Through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, EPA has given more than $100 million to cities like Austin to ensure underserved areas can increase their capacity for solid waste recycling and reuse,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Today’s grant will help our partners in Austin extend the life of furniture and building materials, prevent more landfill waste, and help families in need.”
“EPA is proud to support the City of Austin in its efforts to provide its citizens with valuable goods that might otherwise end up in a landfill,” said Cliff Villa, Deputy Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. “By redistributing used furniture and building supplies, Austin’s new reuse warehouse will help reduce waste, assist those transitioning out of homelessness, create a circular economy, and build a more resilient community.”
“Reduce, reuse, recycle: Austin is moving closer toward achieving our long-term goal of zero waste. By preventing usable yet bulky furniture from overwhelming our landfills, we can help our most vulnerable neighbors get back on their feet and create a welcoming home for themselves and their families. The Infrastructure Law I supported is delivering for Central Texas, and I look forward to continue working to obtain additional federal resources for our community,” said Congressman Doggett (TX-37).
“Right now, far too many materials are wasted when they could be recycled and reused by people in need. Improved recycling not only lets these items have a second life — but they’ll be a lifeline to struggling Austinites,” said Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35). “I’m grateful for the Biden Administration supporting this creative way of reducing waste while helping people get back on their feet.”
“Through this grant, Austin will be able to get good used furniture out of our landfills and into the homes of folks transitioning out of homelessness. It’s an innovative and sustainable approach to reducing waste in our city and helping those most vulnerable create a stable home. Thank you to our congressional delegation for your work,” said Mayor Watson.
“We are excited that the EPA has selected our initiative for their grant program,” says Richard McHale, Director of Austin Resource Recovery. “The reuse warehouse will connect valuable items, like furniture, to Austinites who can use them. It will also keep these items out of the landfill as we continue to work toward zero waste.”
The City of Austin has a surplus of valuable goods that are going to the landfill due to space constraints and limited reuse. Austin Resource Recovery, a department of the City of Austin, intends to use the EPA grant funding to permanently fill the resource gap by opening a new reuse warehouse. The new warehouse will accept and redistribute used furniture at no cost to nonprofits and their clients, with a focus on furnishing the homes of those transitioning out of homelessness. The warehouse will eventually expand to also accept building materials. The overall goal of this project will be to reduce the amount of furniture and building materials sent to landfills annually.
This grant reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste management. Last year, EPA announced over $105 million for the selectees of the historic SWIFR grants for states and communities. These improvements support a circular economy and help lower greenhouse gas emissions, while rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, powered by well-paying jobs that don’t require four-year degrees.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
EPA Approves Plan to Mitigate Snake River Damage in Northern Nebraska
LENEXA, KAN. (MARCH 27, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a work plan submitted to the Agency by Richard Minor of Gordon, Nebraska, and Cherry County, Nebraska, to mitigate damage to the Snake River resulting from an unauthorized drainage ditch excavated from Minor’s property to the river in 2020.
According to EPA, discharges from the ditch into the river caused extensive environmental harm and violated the federal Clean Water Act.
“The Snake River is a critical aquatic resource,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “EPA is encouraged that Mr. Minor and Cherry County are taking steps to minimize further impacts to the Snake River and downstream property owners.”
According to EPA, in April 2020, Minor and Cherry County personnel excavated the drainage ditch to the Snake River to alleviate flooding, without first obtaining the required Clean Water Act permits.
Within days of completing the approximately 2½-mile ditch, rainfall rapidly eroded it, which resulted in massive amounts of sand being deposited into the Snake River. EPA says that millions of tons of sediment have flowed into the river since the ditch excavation.
Under an Administrative Compliance Order filed with EPA on June 14, 2021, Minor and Cherry County agreed to submit a work plan to mitigate the damage. After multiple delays by Minor and the county, EPA recently received an acceptable work plan, which was approved and finalized on Feb. 22, 2024.
EPA says that implementation of the work plan will take approximately one year, and will include:
The placement of downed trees and woody debris to construct sediment trap structures along the ditch.
Construction of earthen berms to prevent excessive flow of water and sediment.
The placement of a series of woody debris fences and log structures along the ditch to trap sediment and create wildlife habitat.
The installation of a riparian corridor, consisting of native species along sections of the river.
# # #
Learn more about EPA’s enforcement of the Clean Water Act
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7
According to EPA, discharges from the ditch into the river caused extensive environmental harm and violated the federal Clean Water Act.
“The Snake River is a critical aquatic resource,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “EPA is encouraged that Mr. Minor and Cherry County are taking steps to minimize further impacts to the Snake River and downstream property owners.”
According to EPA, in April 2020, Minor and Cherry County personnel excavated the drainage ditch to the Snake River to alleviate flooding, without first obtaining the required Clean Water Act permits.
Within days of completing the approximately 2½-mile ditch, rainfall rapidly eroded it, which resulted in massive amounts of sand being deposited into the Snake River. EPA says that millions of tons of sediment have flowed into the river since the ditch excavation.
Under an Administrative Compliance Order filed with EPA on June 14, 2021, Minor and Cherry County agreed to submit a work plan to mitigate the damage. After multiple delays by Minor and the county, EPA recently received an acceptable work plan, which was approved and finalized on Feb. 22, 2024.
EPA says that implementation of the work plan will take approximately one year, and will include:
The placement of downed trees and woody debris to construct sediment trap structures along the ditch.
Construction of earthen berms to prevent excessive flow of water and sediment.
The placement of a series of woody debris fences and log structures along the ditch to trap sediment and create wildlife habitat.
The installation of a riparian corridor, consisting of native species along sections of the river.
# # #
Learn more about EPA’s enforcement of the Clean Water Act
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7
EPA announces $12M to protect salmon by reducing toxic tire dust, other pollutants in stormwater
SEATTLE - Today at an event in Tacoma with U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer, Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller and other officials, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott announced $12 million in new Puget Sound stormwater funding to address pollution entering Puget Sound through the Stormwater Strategic Initiative.
The initiative, which is a partnership of Washington departments of Ecology and Commerce and the Washington Stormwater Center, will invest in efforts to reduce untreated stormwater runoff entering Puget Sound and impacting aquatic life including salmon, freshwater streams, and exacerbating nutrient pollution that can cause harmful algal blooms.
“The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the unique significance of the Puget Sound and is committed to protecting treasured waters and vital species as part of our unprecedented investing in America agenda,” said Pigott. “Today’s $12 million announcement is a perfect example of how federal dollars, interdisciplinary partnerships, and innovation can ensure clean and fishable waters for generations to come.”
With today’s announcement, EPA has invested a total of $35 million to address toxics through the Stormwater Strategic Initiative. Previously, EPA funded the Puget Sound Regional Council’s stormwater parks planning project, which is laying the groundwork for new stormwater parks across the Puget Sound region. Kitsap County, King County, City of Bellevue and Futurewise GreenLink Port Angeles are also each receiving a $100,000 EPA stormwater park planning grant.
“This new funding will build upon EPA’s partnerships to address polluted road runoff that is impacting our salmon populations,” said Sixkiller. “With our partners at the Stormwater Strategic Initiative, we aim to reduce toxics entering Puget Sound through road retrofit planning, stormwater parks, and finding and fixing toxic hotpots. These actions will benefit water quality, salmon populations, tribal treaty rights, and the health of Puget Sound.”
EPA also announced funding for a new Puget Sound Climate Resilient Riparian Systems Lead. This collaborative riparian conservation program provides financial incentives for landowners to protect and restore riparian areas that support salmon recovery, climate resiliency, and other benefits. EPA anticipates awarding up to $30 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for this new program.
Washington coho salmon populations, including treaty-protect tribal salmon, are being depleted by the fatal impacts of polluted road runoff including a chemical from tires called 6PPD-q. To address the problem, Puget Sound partners are using the EPA funding, as well as state resources, to develop and implement stormwater treatment practices, including bioswales, rain gardens and stormwater parks to protect salmon populations. As an example, Tacoma’s Point Defiance Regional Stormwater Treatment Facility (funded by the Department of Ecology) ensures that water running off of 754 acres is treated for stormwater pollutants like 6PPD-q.
“We thank EPA for hearing the call from Washington communities for more funding to combat toxics in stormwater and support Puget Sound recovery,” said Washington State Department of Ecology Deputy Director Heather Bartlett. “By investing in stormwater infrastructure across the region, we are building more resilient communities, with cleaner water that will benefit all who live here for decades to come.”
“Our partnerships with the EPA, tribes, local governments and natural resource agencies are vital in our effort to be a good steward of the environment while managing our transportation system,” said Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Roger Millar. “Our riparian restoration program in Pierce County is a prime example of an innovative partnership approach for treating highway runoff, improving water quality and restoring aquatic and wildlife habitat. With the Legislature and EPA investments we will have more opportunities like the riparian restoration program to develop and refine stormwater treatments that serve these critical goals.”
“This announcement marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to protect and restore Puget Sound and to ensure the vitality of our salmon populations,” said Kilmer. “New federal funding from the EPA will help our community to address the urgent challenge of reducing stormwater pollution. For years I’ve been working toward getting the federal government to be a better partner in Puget Sound recovery. Now, the Biden Administration is partnering with folks in our community to reduce stormwater pollution, understanding that reducing the pollutants entering our water is critical to restoring salmon and orca populations, upholding Tribal treaty rights, and more.”
“The Puget Sound is a national treasure that is vital to our economy, wildlife, Tribal treaty rights, and biodiversity," said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. “Keeping a healthy, vibrant Puget Sound continues to be a priority of my work in Congress. This funding will help protect our local ecosystem and support treaty-protected tribal salmon resources by reducing toxic chemical run-off."
Background
Puget Sound is ground zero for innovation in stormwater infrastructure and 6PPD-q research. EPA-funded Puget Sound science partners discovered that 6PPD-q was killing coho salmon before they spawn. EPA has developed a draft laboratory method for detecting 6PPD-quinone in surface water and stormwater, providing a tool for partners across the country to start monitoring.
In December 2022, President Biden signed Kilmer’s PUGET SOS Act into law to amend the Clean Water Act to establish the Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office, coordinate Puget Sound restoration and protection activities across EPA, and manage the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
Washington also took action to reduce stormwater pollution from transportation infrastructure. In 2022, the Washington State Legislature authorized $500 million over 16 years for WSDOT to treat stormwater from existing roads with an emphasis on green infrastructure retrofits. The legislature directed WSDOT to prioritize projects that focus on benefits for salmon recovery and ecosystem health, reducing toxic pollution, addressing health disparities and cost effectiveness.
The Stormwater Strategic Initiative recently announced a new competitive funding opportunity with this EPA Puget Sound funding to support innovative best management practices for the removal of 6PPD-q, PCBs, and other contaminants from Puget Sound watersheds. The funding opportunity will award up to $1.5 million in total and will fund up to $500,000 per proposal.
The initiative, which is a partnership of Washington departments of Ecology and Commerce and the Washington Stormwater Center, will invest in efforts to reduce untreated stormwater runoff entering Puget Sound and impacting aquatic life including salmon, freshwater streams, and exacerbating nutrient pollution that can cause harmful algal blooms.
“The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the unique significance of the Puget Sound and is committed to protecting treasured waters and vital species as part of our unprecedented investing in America agenda,” said Pigott. “Today’s $12 million announcement is a perfect example of how federal dollars, interdisciplinary partnerships, and innovation can ensure clean and fishable waters for generations to come.”
With today’s announcement, EPA has invested a total of $35 million to address toxics through the Stormwater Strategic Initiative. Previously, EPA funded the Puget Sound Regional Council’s stormwater parks planning project, which is laying the groundwork for new stormwater parks across the Puget Sound region. Kitsap County, King County, City of Bellevue and Futurewise GreenLink Port Angeles are also each receiving a $100,000 EPA stormwater park planning grant.
“This new funding will build upon EPA’s partnerships to address polluted road runoff that is impacting our salmon populations,” said Sixkiller. “With our partners at the Stormwater Strategic Initiative, we aim to reduce toxics entering Puget Sound through road retrofit planning, stormwater parks, and finding and fixing toxic hotpots. These actions will benefit water quality, salmon populations, tribal treaty rights, and the health of Puget Sound.”
EPA also announced funding for a new Puget Sound Climate Resilient Riparian Systems Lead. This collaborative riparian conservation program provides financial incentives for landowners to protect and restore riparian areas that support salmon recovery, climate resiliency, and other benefits. EPA anticipates awarding up to $30 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for this new program.
Washington coho salmon populations, including treaty-protect tribal salmon, are being depleted by the fatal impacts of polluted road runoff including a chemical from tires called 6PPD-q. To address the problem, Puget Sound partners are using the EPA funding, as well as state resources, to develop and implement stormwater treatment practices, including bioswales, rain gardens and stormwater parks to protect salmon populations. As an example, Tacoma’s Point Defiance Regional Stormwater Treatment Facility (funded by the Department of Ecology) ensures that water running off of 754 acres is treated for stormwater pollutants like 6PPD-q.
“We thank EPA for hearing the call from Washington communities for more funding to combat toxics in stormwater and support Puget Sound recovery,” said Washington State Department of Ecology Deputy Director Heather Bartlett. “By investing in stormwater infrastructure across the region, we are building more resilient communities, with cleaner water that will benefit all who live here for decades to come.”
“Our partnerships with the EPA, tribes, local governments and natural resource agencies are vital in our effort to be a good steward of the environment while managing our transportation system,” said Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Roger Millar. “Our riparian restoration program in Pierce County is a prime example of an innovative partnership approach for treating highway runoff, improving water quality and restoring aquatic and wildlife habitat. With the Legislature and EPA investments we will have more opportunities like the riparian restoration program to develop and refine stormwater treatments that serve these critical goals.”
“This announcement marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to protect and restore Puget Sound and to ensure the vitality of our salmon populations,” said Kilmer. “New federal funding from the EPA will help our community to address the urgent challenge of reducing stormwater pollution. For years I’ve been working toward getting the federal government to be a better partner in Puget Sound recovery. Now, the Biden Administration is partnering with folks in our community to reduce stormwater pollution, understanding that reducing the pollutants entering our water is critical to restoring salmon and orca populations, upholding Tribal treaty rights, and more.”
“The Puget Sound is a national treasure that is vital to our economy, wildlife, Tribal treaty rights, and biodiversity," said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. “Keeping a healthy, vibrant Puget Sound continues to be a priority of my work in Congress. This funding will help protect our local ecosystem and support treaty-protected tribal salmon resources by reducing toxic chemical run-off."
Background
Puget Sound is ground zero for innovation in stormwater infrastructure and 6PPD-q research. EPA-funded Puget Sound science partners discovered that 6PPD-q was killing coho salmon before they spawn. EPA has developed a draft laboratory method for detecting 6PPD-quinone in surface water and stormwater, providing a tool for partners across the country to start monitoring.
In December 2022, President Biden signed Kilmer’s PUGET SOS Act into law to amend the Clean Water Act to establish the Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office, coordinate Puget Sound restoration and protection activities across EPA, and manage the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
Washington also took action to reduce stormwater pollution from transportation infrastructure. In 2022, the Washington State Legislature authorized $500 million over 16 years for WSDOT to treat stormwater from existing roads with an emphasis on green infrastructure retrofits. The legislature directed WSDOT to prioritize projects that focus on benefits for salmon recovery and ecosystem health, reducing toxic pollution, addressing health disparities and cost effectiveness.
The Stormwater Strategic Initiative recently announced a new competitive funding opportunity with this EPA Puget Sound funding to support innovative best management practices for the removal of 6PPD-q, PCBs, and other contaminants from Puget Sound watersheds. The funding opportunity will award up to $1.5 million in total and will fund up to $500,000 per proposal.
EPA visits Halfmoon Creek Watershed in Centre County, PA to learn more about local conservation efforts, water quality improvements
PHILADELPHIA (March 26, 2024) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz visited Centre County, Pennsylvania to see first-hand the positive impact ClearWater Conservancy is having on local and downstream water quality.
Donnan Stoicovy, Interim Executive Director; Jennifer Dombroskie, Riparian Program Manager; Suzy Yetter, Ecologist pictured with Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz looking at a stream.Joining staff from the Conservancy, Ortiz viewed several conservation sites in the Halfmoon Creek Watershed, discussing how the Conservancy works to identify opportunities, is leveraging increased federal funds available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and how even small projects can change water quality.
“From Centre County to the Chesapeake Bay, we’re seeing the positive impact organizations like ClearWater Conservancy are having on water quality, both locally and downstream,” said Ortiz. “Every mile of stream restored, every bank stabilized, and every riparian buffer planted makes a difference. It’s remarkable to see how federal dollars, partnerships, and a vision can deliver tangible solutions to intractable problems.”
Last year, EPA awarded over $430,000 in Section 319 grants for Halfmoon Creek’s Watershed Implementation Plan. This type of funding is used to address non-point source pollution, typically from agriculture or stormwater, in areas that have an approved watershed plan.
Ortiz team ended the tour at the Radzwich Farm, situated along the Beaver Branch of Spruce Creek. Beginning in 2017, ClearWater worked with several partners, including the Radzwich Family, to restore and stabilize 3.8 acres of stream bank, plant a riparian buffer, and install fencing and livestock crossings that allowed animals access to all pastures but kept them out of the stream. Removing livestock from streams is good for both stream and herd health and prevents sediment and nutrients from flowing downstream where it can ultimately make its way to the Chesapeake Bay.
Donnan Stoicovy, Interim Executive Director, “Having the opportunity to personally show EPA leadership the work we’re doing in Centre County - from partnering with landowners to getting federal dollars on the ground - is a testament to the commitment this administration has to the environment. From Spruce Creek down to the Bay, we’re working hard and we’re working together to improve our waters.”
ClearWater Conservancy’s mission is to conserve and restore natural resources through land conservation, water resources stewardship, and environmental outreach across Central Pennsylvania. Since 1980, the organization has conserved over 3,100 acres of land through easements and ownership, while working to repair streams, stabilize banks, and restore the natural landscape.
Donnan Stoicovy, Interim Executive Director; Jennifer Dombroskie, Riparian Program Manager; Suzy Yetter, Ecologist pictured with Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz looking at a stream.Joining staff from the Conservancy, Ortiz viewed several conservation sites in the Halfmoon Creek Watershed, discussing how the Conservancy works to identify opportunities, is leveraging increased federal funds available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and how even small projects can change water quality.
“From Centre County to the Chesapeake Bay, we’re seeing the positive impact organizations like ClearWater Conservancy are having on water quality, both locally and downstream,” said Ortiz. “Every mile of stream restored, every bank stabilized, and every riparian buffer planted makes a difference. It’s remarkable to see how federal dollars, partnerships, and a vision can deliver tangible solutions to intractable problems.”
Last year, EPA awarded over $430,000 in Section 319 grants for Halfmoon Creek’s Watershed Implementation Plan. This type of funding is used to address non-point source pollution, typically from agriculture or stormwater, in areas that have an approved watershed plan.
Ortiz team ended the tour at the Radzwich Farm, situated along the Beaver Branch of Spruce Creek. Beginning in 2017, ClearWater worked with several partners, including the Radzwich Family, to restore and stabilize 3.8 acres of stream bank, plant a riparian buffer, and install fencing and livestock crossings that allowed animals access to all pastures but kept them out of the stream. Removing livestock from streams is good for both stream and herd health and prevents sediment and nutrients from flowing downstream where it can ultimately make its way to the Chesapeake Bay.
Donnan Stoicovy, Interim Executive Director, “Having the opportunity to personally show EPA leadership the work we’re doing in Centre County - from partnering with landowners to getting federal dollars on the ground - is a testament to the commitment this administration has to the environment. From Spruce Creek down to the Bay, we’re working hard and we’re working together to improve our waters.”
ClearWater Conservancy’s mission is to conserve and restore natural resources through land conservation, water resources stewardship, and environmental outreach across Central Pennsylvania. Since 1980, the organization has conserved over 3,100 acres of land through easements and ownership, while working to repair streams, stabilize banks, and restore the natural landscape.
Baltimore bridge crash involving Maersk-chartered ship shuts port
The closure of the fifth-busiest container port on the US East Coast could put pressure on container lines as they divert vessel calls.
No timeline for Baltimore port reopening following bridge collapse
With the fifth-largest container port on the US East Coast now effectively isolated from waterborne traffic, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after it was struck by a container ship will, at least temporarily, reconfigure the region’s supply chain.
GPA allocates new funding for Ocean Terminal container expansion
The Georgia Ports Authority is expanding the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal to eventually grow its annual container capacity from 300,000 TEUs to 1.5 million TEUs.