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EPA Awards $860,000 to Communities to Reduce Water Pollution, Build Resilience to Climate Change; Pueblo de Cochiti receives assistance to control stormwater, flooding

Release Date: 05/01/2014
Contact Information: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (May 1, 2014) This week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Pueblo de Cochiti is one of 14 communities nationwide receiving part of $860,000 to expand the use of green infrastructure to reduce water pollution and boost resilience to the impacts of climate change. The funding is in support of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, which directs federal agencies to identify climate-resilient investments such as agency grants and technical assistance for communities across the country.

“Investing in green infrastructure pays off for our environment and our economy. It reduces water pollution and energy consumption. It creates jobs and boosts local economic activity,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “And these investments help local communities build resilient systems to protect from severe storms, floods, and other impacts of climate change.”

EPA’s assistance to Pueblo de Cochiti will help prepare a “green” stormwater infrastructure plan for the community. The plan will integrate green infrastructure into land-use planning, stormwater management, infrastructure improvements, transportation planning and open space for community members. This work is especially important for the Pueblo as the community has experienced severe flooding in the last three years due to increased stormwater runoff in areas upstream of their land.

In the last three years, EPA has provided $2.2 million to 37 communities for green infrastructure. This new funding continues the agency’s support for communities using green infrastructure to reduce water pollution and protect human health while increasing economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings, and open space. Green infrastructure builds resilience to the impacts of climate change, particularly by reducing the burden on local water infrastructure.

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