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New Grants Available for Hurricane-Impacted Communities

Release Date: 03/30/2006
Contact Information: Cynthia Fanning, 214-665-2142, fanning.cynthia@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas - March 30, 2006) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a new grant opportunity for communities impacted by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Organizations with projects to address local environmental or public health issues stemming from the hurricanes may apply by April 30, 2006.

"We want to support the efforts of willing, knowledgeable and enthusiastic local partners in addressing public health concerns and restoring fragile ecosystems," EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said. "Working together, we will accelerate the pace of recovery in Louisiana and Texas."

Eligible applicants for this program are limited to local non-profit community-based organizations and local environmental justice networks, local universities or colleges, and local churches located within the states of Louisiana and Texas.

To help organizations prepare grant applications, EPA will host grant writing workshops at the following times and locations.

* Monday, April 3, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Shining Star Missionary Baptist Church, 590 Elgie St., Beaumont, Texas

* Tuesday, April 4, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. McNeese State University, Alumni Center, Lake Charles, La.

Those who plan to attend are asked to reply to Shirley Quinones at 1-800-887-6063, extension 2713. In addition, EPA will host conference calls Thursday, April 6 and Wednesday, April 12 at 1:30 p.m. CST. The conference call-in number is 1-866-299-3188. When prompted, callers should enter code 2146652713.

The new grant program is titled, "Environmental Justice Grants in Support of Communities Directly Affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita." Total funding for the project is $150,000. EPA will make awards for the amounts of $25,000 or $50,000 only. For more information, please visit http://epa.gov/region6/6dra/ejtribal/ej/index.htm.