Urban Waters Federal Partnership aims to stimulate economy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, White House Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes, Council for Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley and representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) during a ceremony in Baltimore on June 24, according to a press release.

The partnership aims to stimulate regional and local economies, create local jobs, improve quality of life and protect Americans’ health by revitalizing urban waterways in under-served communities across the country, the release stated.

“There is a range of health and environmental challenges facing our urban waters today — but each challenge is matched by an incredible opportunity to transform distressed urban waterfronts into centerpieces for community revitalization,” said Jackson. “Urban waters have the potential to support healthy environments, growing business and educational and recreational activities. By bringing together the experience and expertise of multiple federal partners, we have a chance to reconnect local residents, young people and community groups with the environmental resources all around them.”