The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and PHS announced a $58,000 grant for a new initiative for restoring clean water, improving neighborhoods and supporting green jobs in the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford (TTF) watershed in Philadelphia.
“EPA is committed to restoring our urban waters and supporting green techniques to control pollution,” said EPA Deputy Regional Administrator William C. Early, pictured at right in the watershed area behind Friends Hospital with (from right to left) Barbara McCabe, director of stewardship for Philadelphia Parks and Recreation; Julie Slavet, executive director at TTF; and Drew Becher, president at PHS. “This funding will benefit waterways, neighborhoods, and livelihoods in the watershed,” said Early.
The funding will support green projects for controlling stormwater pollution to streams, creeks, and rivers in the watershed. EPA is providing the funding from its Urban Waters program to PHS for ten green infrastructure projects to help restore local waterways, and for training, outreach, and educational activities to teach green skills and promote green jobs. In addition to the federal grant, PHS is also providing $10,500 for this initiative.
“PHS is looking forward to working with the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Greentreks Network, the Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and communities throughout the city on creative and sustainable approaches to stormwater management,” said PHS President Drew Becher. “We are very grateful to EPA for supporting this environmental work and the creation of green jobs.”
Project highlights include:
- Ten green infrastructure projects supported through hands-on training. One of the projects will help prevent flooding and restore the section of the Tacony Creek behind Friends Hospital on Roosevelt Boulevard.
- Training, outreach, and education in green infrastructure techniques, including an economic development video; a skills training curriculum; targeted group presentations for approximately 150 people, including 40 green job trainees; and online resources designed to help participants implement green infrastructure projects.
The initiative is designed to link community priorities, such as neighborhood beautification, improved recreational amenities, crime reduction and employment with environmental improvements. The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford watershed includes neighborhoods in North, Northeast, and Northwest Philadelphia, and parts of Montgomery County.
EPA’s Urban Waters program funding supports communities’ efforts to access, improve, and benefit from their urban waters and surrounding land.
Posted on August 17, 2012 by Barb
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