(AGENPARL) – mar 17 settembre 2024 EPA announces $2.5 million grant to advance environmental justice in South Texas coastal Colonias
Corpus Christi, TX. (Sept. 17, 2024) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) representatives along with local officials announced Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) as the recipient of a $2.5 million grant to advance environmental justice in South Texas coastal Colonias.
“We are extremely excited about the investment in this project,” said Marc Wyatt, U.S. EPA Region 4 Gulf of Mexico Division Director. “The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi project will be one of the many success stories on how the public, non-profit, and various sectors of government work together to create thriving communities.”
“As the Nueces County Commissioner for Precinct 1, one of my main concerns is helping people who live in the Colonias,” said Commissioner Roberto Hernandez. “I was happy to hear about this EPA funded grant because it comes at the most crucial time for the Colonias’ residents. They deserve access to safe drinking water.”
“The ‘Quenching Thirst’ project is more than just a water initiative; it’s about restoring clean water to coastal colonia communities that have long been overlooked. At TAMU-CC’s Center for Water Supply Studies, we work closely with these communities, co-developing solutions that address their unique challenges,” said Dr. Dorina Murgulet, Center for Water Supply Studies at TAMU-CC. “By providing access to clean, safe drinking water, we’re not only improving environmental and public health but empowering residents with sustainable, community-driven solutions. This project ensures that every community, regardless of its socioeconomic status, has the tools and knowledge to thrive in the face of future environmental challenges.”
“I’m so excited about this grant because it gives us the opportunity to offer real solutions that are more than just band aids for their water-related problems.” said Dr. Isabel Araiza, Del Mar College & For the Greater Good. “This is by far one of the most exciting projects I’ve had the privilege to be a part of because not only are we learning about the problems, but we also have resources to create solutions.”
The Center for Water Supply Studies (CWSS) at TAMU-CC plans to develop a competitive subaward program, provide technical assistance, and document the project’s beneficial impact on coastal colonias in South Texas. The overarching goal is to overcome exclusion by supporting robust environmental justice practices and promoting sustainable ecosystem and community development.
The Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Grants Program provides direct awards from EPA to applicants to become a “pass-through entity” to develop and administer a competitive subaward program to fund projects/activities authorized by Clean Water Act 104(b)(3) in communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental and human health harms or risks, and provide technical assistance. The Gulf of Mexico Division awarded five (5) cooperative agreements for a total of $12,499,325.
The Gulf of Mexico Division is a non-regulatory program of EPA founded 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. To carry out its mission, the Gulf of Mexico Division continues to maintain and expand partnerships with state and federal agencies, federally recognized tribes, local governments and authorities, academia, regional businesses and industries, agricultural and environmental organizations, and individual citizens and communities.
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Environmental Protection Agency, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75270 United States