[StBernard] EPA Provides $3 Million for Gulf of Mexico Projects

[Westley Annis]

Subject:  EPA Provides $3 Million for Gulf of Mexico Projects

For Immediate Release:  June 29, 2006
Contact:  Dale Kemery, 202-564-4355/ kemery.dale at 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.


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