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EPA Region 10 National Environmental Justice Small Grant awardees

Release Date: 10/03/2007
Contact Information: Melanie Wood, EPA’s Region 10 Environmental Justice Director, (206) 553-1107, wood.melanie@epa.gov or Tony Brown, EPA Public Affairs, (206) 553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov

(Seattle, Wash. – Oct. 3, 2007) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $1 million in grants across the country for improving the environment in low-income communities. The $50,000 grants will go to 20 community-based organizations to address environmental and public health issues.

Two community organizations in EPA Region 10 will receive grants.

Organization: Alaska Community Action for Toxics (ACAT) (Anchorage, AK)
Project Description: An ACAT research team will partner with the community to sample the water of the Suqi River, test for contaminants, and identify the existing toxics to be remediated. ACAT will work together with communities and partners to plan the restoration of the Suqi River. For additional information about ACAT, visit: http://www.akaction.org/ or (907) 222-7714.

Organization: Organizing People, Activating Leaders (OPAL) (Portland, OR)
Project Description: This project will focus on three national environmental justice priorities: (1) reducing asthma attacks; (2) reducing exposure to air toxics; and (3) revitalizing contaminated sites. OPAL will incorporate the first two priorities –asthma and air toxics- within Portland’s I-205 Breathe Campaign. OPAL intends to empower the community through education; training and outreach which will help stimulate leadership development; and proactive involvement around social and environmental justice issues. For additional information about OPAL, visit: http://www.opalpdx.org/ or (503) 997-3853.