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EPA Highlights for the Week of November 7, 2016

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EJ Small Grants Program Accepting Applications

Environmental Justice in Your Community.The EJ Small Grants Program has awarded funding to over 1400 community-based organizations.EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants program provides financial assistance to community-based organizations, and local and tribal governments working on projects to address environmental and public health concerns. EPA awards grants that support activities designed to empower and educate affected communities and to identify ways to address environmental and public health concerns at the local level.

Approximately 40 one-year projects will be awarded at up to $30,000 each nationwide. 

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Soak Up the Rain

Traditional asphalt on left; porous asphalt on rightPolluted runoff is one of the greatest threats to clean water in the U.S.As we develop our cities and towns, we replace forests and meadows with buildings and pavement. And now when it rains, stormwater runs off roofs and driveways into the street, picking up pollutants as it makes its way through storm drains and ditches - untreated - to our streams, rivers, lakes and the ocean.

Soak Up the Rain is a stormwater public outreach campaign to raise awareness about the problem of polluted stormwater runoff and to encourage citizens, municipalities and others to take action to help reduce runoff and its costly impacts. Learn what you can do to soak up the rain.

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Apply for Urban Waters Restoration Grants by January 31

Kite Flying along the new Passaic Riverfront Park in New JerseyHealthy urban waters enhance economic, educational, and recreational opportunities in surrounding communities.The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation recently announced a request for proposals (RFP) through the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant programExit, funded in part by EPA. This public-private partnership seeks to develop community stewardship of local natural resources, preserving these resources for future generations and enhancing habitat for local wildlife.

Priority will be given to projects that advance water quality goals in environmental justice communities such as neighborhoods with minority or low-income populations. Applications are due January 31, 2017.

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