Agricultural News
Oklahoma receives EPA Grant to Improve Water Quality
Thu, 20 Aug 2020 14:34:54 CDT
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded the Oklahoma Office of the Secretary of Energy and Environment $130,000 to improve impaired waters and protect unimpaired waters across the state. The program is designed for watershed management planning agencies and departments to develop and implement water quality management plans.
"Protecting our nation's water bodies and providing access to clean and safe drinking water is a top priority for the Trump Administration and EPA," said EPA Regional Administrator Ken McQueen. "This grant will assist the state of Oklahoma in protecting vital water resources across the state. By working with our state partners to improve and protect water bodies, we are ensuring our valuable water sources are drinkable and safe."
The funds will support Oklahoma's Water Quality Planning programs while increasing public awareness and engagement on the need for water quality protection and improvement. The funds will be used to assess water quality, identify and protect sensitive, impaired or threatened water bodies and will help ensure better storm water management practices in the future. EPA awarded the grant through the Fiscal Year 2020 Clean Water Act Section 604(b) program. Over past three years EPA awarded Oklahoma over $390,000 through the 604 (b) program.
Water bodies serve as drinking water supplies, provide flood control to protect life and property, and support recreation, tourism and agriculture. These waterbodies also provide habitat for aquatic plant and animal life. When the water in our rivers, lakes and oceans become polluted, it can endanger wildlife, make our drinking water unsafe and threaten the waters in which we swim and fish. EPA supports these efforts under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.
For more about EPA grants: https://www.epa.gov/grants
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
