OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: EPA grant program awards $2 million to support restoration of Columbia River Basin

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued the following announcement on Sept. 17.

A total of 14 projects to reduce pollution in the Columbia River Basin will get $2 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including support for six restoration projects based in Oregon, EPA announced.

The Columbia River Basin Restoration Funding Assistanc… is the grant source. The program was established in 2016 through an amendment to the Clean Water Act, sponsored by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley.

“Our rivers and waterways are at the heart of our communities, and if they are dirty and polluted, our homes and schools and businesses are dirty and polluted," said Merkley. "A clean and healthy Columbia River Basin is good for our health, our environment, and our economy."

These projects will further DEQ’s commitment to meet the needs of healthy and diverse communities, a robust economy and the environment for today and for future generations.

The funding includes over $800,000 in grants for six organizations and government agencies based in Oregon. The grant recipients and projects are:

• PNW Pollution Prevention Resource Center, is receiving $88,304 to reduce pollutants from automotive and landscaping industries in the Portland metro area.

• Salmon Safe in Oregon is receiving $200,000 to address pesticide and erosion reduction, habitat protection and enhancement, and facilitate farmer certification.

• Multnomah County is receiving $174,045 to support pesticide reduction outreach efforts in the lower and middle Columbia River, Deschutes, Willamette, Hood watersheds, and southwest Washington, including development of bi-lingual outreach materials.

• Lower Columbia River Estuary Program is receiving $67,597 to fund the deployment of Grattix boxes that will reduce zinc and copper run-off to the lower Columbia River in St. Helens and Rainier, Oregon and Longview, Washington.

• Cascade Pacific Resource, Conservation & Development is receiving $199,999 to build green stormwater infrastructure to reduce metals, PAHs, and pesticides in run-off in Lane County.

• Columbia Riverkeeper is receiving $91,991 to fund pollution prevention education with a focus on youth outreach in Hood River and Wasco Counties and Klickitat County, Washington.

For more about the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program and grantees, please visit: EPA’s website.

Original source can be found here.