The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Gulf of America Division (GAD) has selected 24 innovative projects aimed at improving water quality and strengthening local economies across the Gulf of America Watershed. These projects, chosen from the Innovative Solutions for Improving Water Quality and Strengthening Local Economies Notice of Funding Opportunity, will receive awards ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000, with project periods spanning three to five years.
The initiatives cover EPA Regions 4 through 8, focusing on nutrient reduction demonstration projects enhanced by innovative technology. EPA Region 4 Administrator Kevin McOmber said the investment uses "advanced technologies to curb nutrient runoff upstream," safeguarding "the ecological health and the vital economy of our shared Gulf of America coastline."
EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel highlighted support for "projects that pair nutrient-reduction strategies with cutting-edge technologies," empowering local partners to test scalable innovations. Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason emphasized a "holistic approach to water quality" for the vast Mississippi River basin, while Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy noted that "every dollar we invest upstream pays dividends for water quality and local economies." Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western added that grants support "the ingenuity of local and state partners."
This funding reflects EPA’s strong commitment to cooperative federalism, fostering partnerships with state, local, tribal, academic, agricultural, and community stakeholders. The approach aims to achieve durable progress on water quality by combining federal resources, state leadership, and local knowledge for the benefit of entire watersheds.