EPA And Groundwork New Orleans Team Up To Help Underserved Neighborhoods

Groundwork New Orleans (GWNO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are teaming up again to address environmental justice issues in New Orleans. EPA recently awarded $120,000 to GWNO to support a two-year project that will create an adaptable outdoor curriculum focused on watershed and stormwater management for local youth and residents.

“Working with community organizations strengthens our efforts to improve environmental conditions in communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “We look forward to working closely with Groundwork New Orleans to help citizens protect valuable water resources within their neighborhoods.”

GWNO will use an EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement (EJCPS) to conduct the project. The project seeks to improve stormwater management and the health and safety of area residents while adding aesthetic and recreational services that will improve quality of life and attract economic development. Residents will also have the opportunity to engage in interactive service-learning such as planting, caring for trees, trash disposal, recycling and community workshops.

GWNO is one of 12 community-based organizations announced today by EPA who will receive EJCPS funding totaling about $1.4M. The EJCPS Cooperative Agreement Program provides funding for non-profit and tribal organizations to partner with stakeholders from across industry, government, and academia to develop and implement solutions that significantly address environmental and/or public health issues in American communities.

In 2003, EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) launched the first solicitation for the EJCPS Cooperative Agreement Program. Since the Program’s inception, EPA has provided funding to 50 projects to help communities understand and address exposure to environmental harms and risks. Each of this year’s recipients were awarded up to $120,000 to support their two-year projects. Projects must use the Collaborative Problem Solving Model, comprised of seven elements of a successful collaborative partnership, to address local environmental and/or public health issues.

Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. These awards represent EPA’s commitment to promoting localized, community-based actions to address environmental justice issues.

More information about EPA’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement Program: http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-cps-grants.html.