Nation's Streams and Wetlands to be Restored through Community-led efforts

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Nation's Streams and Wetlands to be Restored through Community-led efforts

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WASHINGTON, Jul. 17 -/E-Wire/-- The National Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Wildlife Habitat Council today have awarded nearly $600,000 to 56 community-led conservation projects throughout the country. The Five Star Restoration Grant Program will provide $5,000 - $15,000 grants to community-based partnerships for support of wetland and streamside restoration projects. Major funding for these grants is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds of the Office of Water, and the NOAA Fisheries' Community-based Restoration Program for select grants in coastal areas. Participating communities have committed over $3.8 million in additional funding and resources to these programs.

Five Star Restoration projects involve a high degree of cooperation, with local government agencies, elected officials, community groups, businesses, schools, and environmental organizations all working together to improve local water quality and restore important fish and wildlife habitats. The winning projects were selected from a competitive pool of nearly 200 applications. Consideration for funding is based upon the program's educational and training opportunities for students and at-risk youth, the ecological benefits to be derived, and the project's other cultural and economic benefits to the community.

G. Tracy Mehan III, Assistant Administrator, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency said, "EPA is a proud supporter of the Five Star Restoration program, which provides excellent opportunities for environmental education and habitat restoration in communities around the nation. Five Star partners demonstrate a strong commitment to the protection of our natural resources, and they can take pride in their projects that improve the health of wetland and river environments."

"NOAA Fisheries is proud to be a Five Star partner through our Community-based Restoration Program," said National Marine Fisheries Service Assistant Administrator, Bill Hogarth. "NOAA is committed to aid communities in the restoration of their coastal habitats. Locally conceived projects like these produce on-the-ground results, and help foster an appreciation for the environment."

Additional funding is provided by EPA's Gulf of Mexico and Chesapeake Bay Program Offices. This is the fifth year that grants have been awarded under this innovative program. A list of projects receiving grants can be viewed on www.nfwf.org and www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/restore/5star/03grants.html.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/restore/5star/03grants.html

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