EPA and USDA holding joint workshop on financing nutrient management projects
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Key Takeaways
On November 17th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are hosting a joint workshop on financing nutrient management projects in underserved communities. Nutrient management includes managing nitrogen and phosphorous pollution in land, air and water from sources such as fertilizers, soil amendments, sewage and runoff. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, November 17, from 12–3 p.m. ET. Click here to register.
Nutrient management projects are essential for ensuring the sustainability of our environment and protecting our nation’s water sources. Nutrient loads and land use contribute to increases in cyanobacteria and harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABS, commonly referred to as “red tide,” and other hypoxic events can cause adverse health issues and be economically damaging. The toxins produced by HABs can be contained in shellfish, and when airborne, they can cause respiratory problems. Additionally, HABS reduce tourism, close beaches and decrease the catch from recreational and commercial fisheries.
Counties encourage the EPA to collaborate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to identify nutrient reduction strategies and scalable HABs mitigation processes. The Build Back Better Act would provide funding to NOAA for research and implementation of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA), and counties support the renewal of the HABHRCA. NACo will keep members informed of updates on nutrient management and reduction strategies.
Webinar
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program: How Local Governments Can Work Together in Phase I
Unable to attend? Watch the recording here.
Join the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities and the National Association of Regional Councils for a deep dive into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program. Established in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the CPRG Program will award funds to state and local governments to develop and implement climate action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The CPRG Program is split into two phases:
- Phase I: Planning Grants
- Phase II: Implementation Grants
The webinar will focus on Phase I Planning Grants. Under this phase, EPA will directly award $1 million to each of the 67 most populous metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the country. Local governments within these MSAs will need to work together to develop an implementation plan for their region and designate an entity to serve as the lead. The lead organization for an MSA must submit a Notice of Intent to Participate (NOIP) in the program by April 28, 2023. The webinar will discuss strategies and best practices local governments can leverage to execute their planning grants successfully and best position themselves to apply for the competitive Phase II Implementation Grants.
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