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$59,876 Grant to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Release Date: 07/03/2012
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, [email protected]

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.