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EPA Provides $3 Million for Gulf of Mexico Projects

Release Date: 06/29/2006
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Cynthia Fanning at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas - June 29, 2006) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico program is supporting a healthy and resilient Gulf of Mexico coast by announcing competition for as much as $3 million in grants.

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional Partnership Projects will benefit the health of the Gulf of Mexico by improving water quality and public health, protecting coastal habitat, increasing coastal environmental education, improving habitat data and decision support systems, and reducing nutrients. Projects must actively involve stakeholders and focus on support and implementation of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors' Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts, released March 28, 2006.

The president's U.S. Ocean Action Plan highlighted the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, a partnership formed by the five gulf state governors. The president called for increased integration of resources, knowledge and expertise to make the collaboration of the Gulf Alliance a success. Thirteen federal agencies formed a federal workgroup committed to supporting the Alliance, with EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as co-leads.

EPA's Gulf of Mexico program is a voluntary, inclusive partnership which provides a broad geographic focus on the major environmental issues in the Gulf. The mission of the program is to facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the region. The partnership includes representation from state and local governments and residents in each of the five Gulf states; the private sector; federal agencies responsible for research, monitoring, environmental protection, and natural resource management; and the academic community.

Depending on availability of funds and the evaluation and quality of proposals, an estimated 10 to 50 projects are expected to be awarded. State and local governments, interstate agencies, tribes, colleges and universities, individuals, and other public or nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Applications must be received by e-mail by 6 pm CDT on July 11, 2006.

More information on the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional Partnership Projects funding announcement is at epa.gov/gmpo/pubinfo/partn-funding-announcement.html.