EPA News Release (Region 7): $59,876 Grant to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101   Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations   $59,876 Grant to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville   Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov Environmental News   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   (Kansas City, Kan., July 3, 2012) - EPA is providing a $59,876 urban waters grant to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) to evaluate the effectiveness of neighborhood green infrastructure in metropolitan St. Louis, Mo.   SIUE and partners, including the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, the City of St. Louis and Habitat for Humanity of St. Louis, will conduct a study in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood in north St. Louis. Previously installed rain gardens and planter boxes are examples of green infrastructure practices that will be evaluated for their impact on reducing stormwater runoff to combined sewers. The grant also will be used for workshops for neighborhood residents on how to effectively maintain rain gardens and planter boxes.   “This project will benefit JeffVanderLou neighborhood residents, university students and the entire St. Louis community,” said Karl Brooks, regional administrator. “Rain gardens help remove pollutants and reduce stormwater runoff.”   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.   # # #   Learn more about EPA’s Urban Waters Program   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