EPA News Media Advisory (Region 7): $60,000 Grant to Kansas State University

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101   Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations   $60,000 Grant to Kansas State University   Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov (news media only) Environmental News   NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY   (Kansas City, Kan., July 11, 2012) - Josh Svaty, EPA Region 7 senior advisor; Barbara Goode, Kansas State University pollution prevention specialist; Martha Tasker, City of Salina, Kan., director of utilities; Troy Vancil, Friends of the River past president, and others will hold a news conference Friday, July 13, to announce a $60,000 urban waters grant from EPA to Kansas State University (KSU).   KSU and partners, including the City of Salina and Friends of the River, will establish a water quality monitoring program to teach residents of Salina about ways to reduce pollutants in the Old Smoky Hill River Channel in Salina. The river channel receives stormwater runoff from approximately five square miles. The educational program will focus on prevention of stream bank erosion and adoption of green infrastructure practices.   The funding is part of EPA’s Urban Waters Program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve and benefit from urban waters and surrounding land.   Many urban waterways have been polluted for years by runoff from city streets and contamination from abandoned industrial facilities. Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, economic, recreational, employment and social opportunities in nearby communities. By promoting public access to urban waterways, EPA will help communities become active participants in restoring urban waters while improving and protecting their neighborhoods.   EPA’s Urban Waters Program supports the goals and principles of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, a partnership of 12 federal agencies working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts.   WHAT: Announcement of $60,000 urban waters grant   WHEN: 12:30 p.m., Friday, July 13, 2012   WHERE: Old Smoky Hill River Channel (Oakdale Park at the intersection of Fourth and South Streets, Salina, Kan. 67401)   WHO: Josh Svaty, EPA Region 7 senior advisor; Barbara Goode, Kansas State University pollution prevention specialist; Martha Tasker, City of Salina, Kan., director of utilities; and Troy Vancil, Friends of the River past president   # # #   Learn more about EPA’s Urban Waters Program   Locate this and other Region 7 news items on the News Where You Live interactive map   Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7     Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.     View all Region 7 News Releases     You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355