A I-nji United States EPA-842-N-19-002 Environmental Protection October 2019 W 1*=*1 i Ik Agency THE FLOW OF... TRASH FREE WATERS ISSUE 12 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Two EPA Trash Free Waters Grant Programs Announced 1 Update on America Recycles Day Summit 1 Partnership Brings Trash Collection Devices to Proctor Creek, GA 2 Baltimore's "Keep it Neat from Stoop to Street" Campaign 2 Protect Our Sand and Sea: Ocean City, MD Partners Team Up for Source Reduction 3 Bronx River Alliance's Project WASTE 3 Mobile Bay NEP Watershed Management Plan Collaboration 4 Don't Trash Long Island Sound Campaign 4 Litter Reduction at the Port of New Orleans 5 Update on the Latin American Trash Free Waters Initiative 5 The Rapids: News Drops 6 This newsletter is intended to provide the latest information to all of our Trash Free Waters (TFW) partners and friends. The Flow...of Trash Free Waters is our opportunity to highlight recent successes, as well as shine a spotlight on news and other related items. It is produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with support from iEc. Mention of commercial products, publications, or Web sites in this newsletter does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by EPA, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. HOW'S IT FLOWING? Two EPA Trash Free Waters Grant Programs Announced Administrator Wheeler announces Great Lakes grant program. Great Lakes On July 19, 2019, U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Region 5 Administrator Cathy Stepp announced an upcoming new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant program specifically focused on funding trash-free water projects in the Great Lakes. "Removing trash, litter and garbage - including plastics - from marine and freshwater environments is one of EPA's highest priorities," said Adminis- trator Wheeler. "The Trash-Free Great Lakes Grant Program is intended to fund efforts by communities and other appli- cants to clean up beaches and waterways so that the Great Lakes watershed will continue to provide habitat for wildlife and drinking water and recreation for tens of millions of people." EPA expects to issue a Request for Applications (RFA) in October to solicit applications from eligible entities for GLRI grants. Once the RFA is released, applicants will have 45 days to respond to the RFA. EPA antici- pates that approximately $2 million in total funding will be available, with a maximum grant amount of $500,000 per project. Up to 12 grants could be award- ed, including two larger scale projects and 10 smaller scale projects. More details will be made available once the RFA is released in October. View the July news release here. Gulf of Mexico On September 24, 2019, the EPA Gulf of Mexico Division an- nounced the availability of grant funding for innovative projects focused on reducing the amount of trash in the Gulf through trash prevention and/or removal. The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $5 million. (continued on p.2) Update on America Recycles Day Summit In November 2018, EPA hosted an America Recycles Day Summit to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. recycling system. Forty-five signatories to the America Recycles Pledge committed to leverage their expertise to create a more resilient materials economy. After the summit, the EPA worked with the other signatories in 4 priority action areas: (1) Promote Education and Outreach, (2) Enhance Materials Management Infrastructure, (3) Strengthen Secondary Materials Markets, and (4) Enhance Measure- ment. A new and improved EPA webpaae now helps citizens better understand the waste hierarchy, what they can recycle, and what happens to their waste after they do so. A status report on the framework for advancing the U.S. recycling system is available here. On November 14, 2019, EPA wiii host the 2019 America Recycles Innovation Fair in Washington, DC. The Fair will showcase innovative advances in recycling technology, product development, education and outreach, and materials usage. lake guardian ------- OCTOBER 201 9 - ISSUE 12 THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS Partnership Brings Trash Collection Devices to Proctor Creek, GA Installation of Litter Gitter on Proctor Creek. (continued from p. 1) "These funds will incentivize new projects to reduce marine litter and protect the health of the Gulf of Mexico and the many communities that rely upon it," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. EPA Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker noted that "Trash-free water project grants allow recipients to incorporate prevention, removal and outreach techniques that provide meaningful assistance in protecting our beaches, shorelines and waterways." EPA Region 6 Administrator Ken McQueen said, "We need to foster broad, creative innova- tions to maintain the vibrancy of the Gulf of Mexico by reducing marine debris. Preventing trash and debris from entering the waterway is critical to protect- ing the environment, wildlife, and human health." Types of eligible projects include trash prevention, trash removal, and outreach/ education. Eligible applicants include state agencies, federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia, any agency or instrumentality of local govern- ments, nonprofit organizations, interstate agencies, and colleges and universities. EPA anticipates awarding ten or more grants under this an- nouncement, with awards being no more than $500,000 subject to the availability of funds, quality of evaluated applica- tions, and other applicable considerations. The application deadline is November 22, 2019. For more information on the Request for Applications, visit https://www.epa.gov/qulfof- mexico/trash-free-waters-rfa The Coca-Cola Company, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the City of Atlanta, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Ground- work Atlanta, Park Pride, and EPA Region 4 have partnered to install six innovative trash-trap systems along Proctor Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River on Atlanta's Westside. On September 19, 2019, partners held a kickoff event for the Coca-Cola World Without Waste Campaign in Atlanta and Proctor Creek showcasing the Bandalong Trash Trap and installation of the Litter Gitter, both litter capture technologies. Coca-Cola provided a grant to NRPA to support the installa- tion of five Litter Gitters and one Bandalong Litter Trap with a goal of collecting and reducing 80% of downstream litter in the creek. The Litter Gitter is a small- stream litter collection device used to intercept floating litter from stormwater runoff using floating booms that guide trash to a large wire-mesh collection container. The Bandalong Litter Trap is an industrial strength litter trap that uses the current to guide debris into the trap. Educational signage at the park will inform visitors about the litter catchment systems and provide education on how to reduce litter by recycling and disposing of trash in recepta- cles. For more information, contact Cynthia Y. Edwards, PE, at edwards.cynthiay@epa.aov. Baltimore's "Keep it Neat from Baltimore Trash Talk has joined forces with The Southwest Partnership and Full Circuit Studio to enhance the "Keep it Neat from Stoop to Street" campaign to encourage personal investment and ownership of public places like parks and sidewalks. Southwest Partnership is a coalition of seven neighborhoods in West Baltimore. They have been working hard on many issues in their neighborhoods, including cleanup. They want residents to be proud of where they live. This anti-trash campaign encourages personal investment and cleanup of front stoops, public spaces and neighbor- hood vacant lots. Photographer Zizwe Aliette captured photos which were later included in campaign designs. Campaign materials include a doorhanger which outlines eight simple actions to reduce litter in your neighborhood. Stoop to Street" Campaign When everyone meets, we net clean str&ets. This campaign works to evoke a sense of community pride instead of eliciting feelings of shame and guilt for those who litter. —Abu Moulta-Ali, Moulta-Ali.Abu@epa.gov 2 ------- TIHI FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS OCTOBER 201 9 - ISSUE 12 Protect Our Sand and Sea: Ocean City, MD Partners Team Up for Source Reduction Ocean City, MD has an optional and eco-friendly source reduction program to encour- age businesses to voluntarily commit to making greener choices. The program was created by the Ocean City Green Team, which includes members from the Town of Ocean City, Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), Ocean City Surf Club, and Surfrider Foundation. The Protect Our Sand and Sea campaign is an initiative to reduce the piastic waste stream in Ocean City. Businesses can choose to participate in any one of five source reduction pledges. Thanks to multiple sources of funding secured by MCBP and the Town of Ocean City, participants will receive free social media promotion, newspaper advertisements, and marketing tools including recog- nition plaques and stickers. Thirty-three restaurants have already signed up with the program. Another source reduction program launched in Ocean City this year is a responsible cigarette butt disposal and recycling program. Most cigarette butts are not biode- gradable and can remain in the environment for over a decade. Thanks to a grant from Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) and the Worcester County Health Department Prevention Services, any business willing to take the pledge to commit to recycling cigarette butts can receive a free "butt hut" and signage. Cigarette butts taken from these huts are sent to TerraCy- cle to be recycled into park benches. To date, 104,400 cigarette butts have been shipped to TerraCycle and have been kept out of Maryland Coastal Bays waterways. —Sandi Smith, MCBp sandis@mdcoastalbavs.ora tag THE BUTT STOPS HERE Recycling station for cigarette butts. Bronx River Alliance's Project WASTE The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the Bronx River, it collaborates with over 100 partners to protect, improve, and restore the Bronx River corridor so that it can be a healthy ecological, recreational, educational, and economic resource for local communi- ties. Michelle Luebke, Director of Environmental Stewardship, recently presented findings and collaboration opportunities related to Project WASTE (Waterway and Street Trash Elimination). Project WASTE is the Alliance's community science trash assessment and source reduction program addressing trash pollution in the Bronx River watershed. Almost 70% of trash collected through Project WASTE is Styro- foam, with plastic at approxi- mately 22% (see Figure). In June, students from Bronx- ville High helped collect and categorize litter along two local streets and found that tobacco products were the most common waste material. After this analysis, the students created a map of Bronxville litter and cigarette butt hotspots to inform more strategic placement of trash cans. They also hosted a storm drain art competition to raise awareness about the connection between mismanaged trash, stormwater systems and marine litter. The Bronx River Alliance won an Urban Waters Learning Network Award for their community science and environmental education programming associated with the Project WASTE initiative. —Abu Moulta-Ali, Moulta-Ali.Abu@epa.gov Fabric 0.20%. Large Items 0.06%, Rubber 0.35%, Biodegradable 1.63%' Glass 1.21 % Metal 1 Toxic 0.60%^ Hazardous 0.4 .Plastic 21.77% Materia Found Styrofoam 68.81 %' ^ 91% of trash collected through Project WASTE is Styrofoam or plastic. Trash collection statistics from Project WASTE. ------- OCTOBER 201 9 - ISSUE 12 THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS Mobile Bay NEP Watershed Management Plan Collaboration On July 11, 2019, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed into law a bill to broaden the state's definition of litter and increase fines and enforcement capabili- ties. This state-wide legislation is supported by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) Government Net- works Committee. MBNEP recently collaborated with partners to implement compre- hensive litter mitigation strategies recommended in the Three Mile Creek coastal watershed management plan. The Mobile Bay NEP is currently working on a multi-phase litter abatement project in the watershed. This project includes (1) deploying and maintaining 10 "Litter Gitter" small stream litter collection devices; (2) developing litter profiles at each site using the EPA's Escaped Trash Assess- ment Protocol (ETAP); (3) conducting single pass tactical cleanups of shoreline through- out the watershed; (4) develop- ing a web-based publicly available litter collection/ETAP reporting system; and (5) creating an alternative packag- ing program in the Three Mile Creek Watershed. To date, the Three Mile Creek Trash-Free Waters project has removed 7,963 lbs (5,085 cubic feet) of iitter, exceeding the overall project goal of 4,800 lbs. Of the waste collected, 1,475 lbs (1,274 cubic feet) of the material has been recycled. —Romell Nandi, Nandi.Romell@epa.gov Osprey Initiative staff perform ETAP after cleaning out a Litter Gitter in Three Mile Creek, Mobile, AL Don't Trash Long Island Sound Campaign Long Island's 2019 #DontTrash- LlSound social media campaign ran from August through September 20. The primary message of the campaign was to "Break the Single-Use Plastic Habit" in order to protect the watershed's wildlife. Stickers depicting native species such as the harp seal, tautog, and American oyster catcher were distributed widely, and people were encouraged to post photos of their reusable water bottles displaying the stickers. Last year, the campaign generated 135,000 Facebook and Twitter impressions. This is the third year of the campaign. This year's sponsors include the Long Island Sound Study, Connecticut Sea Grant, Mystic Aquarium, Connecticut Fund for the Environment's Save the Sound Program, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Connecticut, and Soundwaters. The campaign also worked with partners to hold beach clean- ups along Long Island's shores, with awareness boosted through creative local print, radio, and TV coverage. Estuary Day 2019, held on Saturday, September 14 in Oyster Bay, NY signified the end of the cam- paign. The event was hosted by the Long Island Sound Study, Peconic Estuary Program, South Shore Estuary Reserve and Friends of the Bay, and the Waterfront Center. Estuary Day activities emphasized prevent- ing marine debris and included a beach cleanup, beach seining, beach combing, children's activities, and crafts. Check out #DontTrashLISound on Facebook. Twitter, and Insta gram to see photos from the campaign. Don't Trash Long Island Sound sticker. 4 ------- TIHI FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS OCTOBER 201 9 - ISSUE 12 Litter Reduction at the Port of New Orleans Keep It Clean' * PORT NOLA The Port of New Orleans has implemented a series of different litter reducing mea- sures and waste reduction strategies that began with a Trash Free Waters pilot project in 2015. A truckway dumpster was installed to encourage truck drivers entering the Port to responsibly dispose of garbage accumulated in their cabs. To-date, 61,700 pounds of trash have been collected. The Port's maintenance department tracked a more than 25% reduction in time spent picking up roadside litter along the truckway. In June 2018, the Port designed, fabricated and installed trash can mounts for 8 gantry cranes in the Port's intermodal yard terminal. This has given the longshoremen, crane mainte- nance mechanics and crane operators a more convenient option for disposing of litter. Yet another project uses art to build awareness that storm drains lead directly to open water and need to be kept clean. The first Drainscape was painted at the Port of New Orleans truckway entrance by two Port of New Orleans Employees. Since beginning work on the TFW pilot project with the EPA, the Port of New Orleans has engaged more than 1,300 stakeholders regarding environmental issues, recycled 4,751 pounds of Mardi Gras beads, provided employees with training on pollution reduction and prevention, implemented new recycling programs, and strives for continuous improvements using TFW tools. —Emily Federer, emily.federer@portnola.com From Top: The first By-You Drainscape that was produced by the Port on the Clarence Henry Truckway. Banner produced for the Keep It Clean campaign and placed outside the truckway dumpster Update on the Latin American Trash Free Waters Initiative According to a recent United Nations article. 70-85% of marine litter in the Caribbean Sea originates from land-based sources. Through- out the region, governments are considering banning single-use plastics and Styrofoam products. The Latin American Trash Free Waters Initiative is working to combat plastic pollution on Caribbean shores. This initiative was launched in 2017 and includes a partnership between the UN Caribbean Environment Programme, UN Environment's Regional Office for Latin America, U.S. EPA and Peace Corps. In June 2019, lessons learned from pilot projects in Panama and Jamaica that focused on keeping land-based trash from entering coastal waters were presented at the 18th Intergovernmental Meeting and 15th Conference of Parties to the Cartagena Convention in Honduras. The UN hopes these project successes can be replicated in other Caribbean nations in need of solutions. Throw me •some+hing, Mister! YOUR PORT-YOUR WATER-YOUR NOLA Keep It Clean! 5 ------- OCTOBER 201 9 - ISSUE 12 THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS The Rapids: News Drops NEWS Microplastic Breakdown The Microplastic Breakdown is an informal bi-weekly compilation of recent publications in microplastics research with a specific focus on methods, human health and ecological assessments, and microplastics sources, transport, and fate. If you are interested in tracking microplastics research, please contact lundsted.justine@ epa.aov to be added to the email list. Waste-Focused Legislation: Update The Save Our Seas 2.0 legislation (H.R. 3969) introduced by co-chairs of the House Ocean Caucus Representatives has now been introduced to both the House and Senate. This legislation recognizes marine debris as a serious detriment to both coastal economies and to marine species and their habitat. The bill seeks to improve response times to marine debris events, enhance domestic infrastructure to efficiently manage plastic waste, and encourage international participation to tackle the global issue. Other waste-focused legislation introduced this summer includes the Zero Waste Act - a bill to eliminate single-use plastic waste through a federal grant program used to support communities interested in pursuing zero waste initiatives. EPA's Trash Free Waters Program Receives Environmental Justice Recognition The EPA's TFW Program was highlighted in the FY2018 Annual Environmental Justice Progress Report for continued efforts to prioritize and engage underserved and low-income communities in improving water quality outcomes. FY2018 projects that were recognized for their environmental justice connection included: Puerto Rico microplastics research in estuaries that support subsistence fishing; accomplishments of the NY-NJ Harbor National Estuary Program and the Bronx & Harlem River Watershed Urban Waters Federal Partnership; and initiatives that help educate minority communities on the connection between stormwater runoff and watershed water quality. Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership's Science to Policy Summit The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership's Science to Policy Summit in June generated thoughtful conversations about the proliferation of plastic and the increasing negative impacts they are having on our ecosystems and health. This summit brought together a range of perspectives including scientists, policy makers, and local business representatives. View an interactive, educational summary of the summit here. GAO Report on Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee (IMDCC) On September 25th, 2019, the Government Accountability Office published a report, "Marine Debris: Interagency Committee Members Are Taking Action, but Additional Steps Could Enhance the Federal Response." For more information, visit https://www. gao.gov/products/GAO-19-653. In Cleanup News... Gulf of Mexico: Nurdles are small round plastic pellets that are the base material used to manufacture most plastic items. The Nurdle Patrol—a citizen science project organized to help identify the sources of nurdles (which are often spilled during transport) and create awareness about the problem-conducted 100 surveys in August, for a total of 2,061 since November 2018. 550 volunteers have surveyed 1,161 different sites from Mahahual, Mexico to Key West, Florida. In July, volunteers removed 23,074 nurdles for a total of 195,837 nurdles removed to date. One of the interesting August surveys found 4,950 nurdles in 10 minutes in Hidalgo Park, along Buffalo Bayou near downtown Houston. Surveys with high num- bers of nurdles can be particularly useful in helping identify their sources. Read more about Nurdle Patrol efforts and how the University of Texas at Austin is addressing microplastics here, and visit the Facebook page Nurdle Patrol or its new website at www. nurdlepatrol.org. —Jace Tunnell, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, jace.tunnell@austin.utexas.edu Florida: On Saturday, August 24th, the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) on Florida's west coast hosted a Pre-Debris Cleanup. The garbage collected at this event will be used to create a Leviathan Marine Debris Sculpture at the upcoming 20th CHNEP Nature Festival on November 16, 2019 in Punta Gorda. The festival is an impressive showcase of the region's environmental work and will include lessons from environmental educators, live animal exhibits, guided nature walks, games and food trucks. Learn more about CHNEP at: https://www.chnep.ora/ Oregon: In September, staff from the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP) used boats and a barge to reach debris over a 75-mile shoreline within Oregon's Lower Willamette River largely inaccessible by car or foot. This region of the Lower Columbia River watershed is just downstream of Portland and is a known hotspot for trash pileup. Over the past 3 years, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership has encouraged citizens to help supplement their boat-based survey findings with individual reports of marine debris sightings in the area. Learn more about LCEP at: https://www. estuarypartnership.org/ CONFERENCES 6th Annual Students for Zero Waste Conference October 7 7-73, 207 9, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania This three-day event includes student-led workshops, professional trainings, hands-on activity sessions, group meet-ups, and panels covering waste and environmental justice. PLAN informs students about the waste crisis and equips them with the necessary skills and resources to implement solutions to waste in their campus communities. Learn more and register now at https://www. postlandfill.org/szw/ 6 ------- THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS OCTOBER 201 9 - ISSUE 12 American Shore & Beach Preservation Association's (ASBPA) 2019 Coastal Conference October 22-25, 2019, Myrtle Beach, SO This year's theme is "Where Coasts & Rivers Meet," which will be incorporated by a special track of sessions on coastal and flood- plain management, risk, and resilience in tidally influenced water- sheds. The program covers science, engineering and policy on beaches, dunes, coastal restoration, living shorelines, sediment dynamics and more. Learn more at: http://asbpa.org/conferences/ Our Ocean Conference October 23-24, 2019, Oslo, Norway One of this conference's six main areas of action is marine pollution. The Our Ocean conference is seeking to secure commit- ments from governments, businesses and civil society to reduce discharges of plastic litter, nutrients and wastewater, and other pollutants and to develop initiatives to make recovery and recycling of waste more efficient. To learn more about Our Ocean, please visit: https://ourocean2019.no/ 2nd Annual Texas Plastic Pollution Symposium October 29, 2019, Galveston, TX This year's symposium will include a series of oral and poster presentations on research, policy, solutions, and prevention of plastic pollution. Register here or visit https://www.donttrasha- aoodthina.org/. CERF Conference 2019 November 3-7, 2019, Mobile, AL This year's theme is "Responsive, Relevant, and Ready." One session, "Marine plastic pollution from nano- to macro- scale: fate, effects, and solutions" highlights research on the impacts of plastic pollution on coastal environments and explores successful mitigation strategies. To research more about CERF, go to: https:// www.cerf.science/cerf-2019 72nd Annual Conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute November 4-8, 2019, Punta Carta, Dominican Republic This conference will focus on the theme of "scaling up public- private government partnerships for sustainable fisheries and innovative science" with a special session on marine litter in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. For more information, visit their webpage: https://www.acfi.ora/acfi-72-conference/ Sustainable Ocean Summit 2019 November 20-22, 2019, Paris, France This conference brings together leaders from the diverse ocean business community as well as ocean stakeholders to focus on industry-driven action on corporate responsibility. This year's theme is "Investing in Ocean Futures: Finance and Innovation for the Blue Economy." For more information, visit: https://www.oceancouncil. ora/event/sustainable-ocean-summit-2019/ Ocean Plastics Congress: Turning the Tide December 2-6, 2019, Melbourne, Australia This inaugural Congress is a major new initiative that aims to find long term plastic waste solutions for our oceans, sea life and human health. Ultimately, the need is to eliminate the problem at its source - the entry of waste plastics into our rivers, streams, storm water, and, ultimately, the ocean. To learn more about Ocean Plastics Congress, visit: https://www.oceanplasticsconaress.ora/. Ocean Sciences Meeting 2020 February 16-21, 2020, San Diego, OA This year's theme, Tor a Resilient Planet," centers around the concept that scientists, in partnership with governments and communities, have the power to effect change in fostering healthier and more resilient oceans, a safer and sustainable food supply, and to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The conference is sponsored by the American Geophysical Union, the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and The Oceanography Society. To learn more, visit https://www.aau. ora/Ocean-Sciences-Meeti na GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Request for Proposals Deadline: October 17,2019 The CEC is requesting proposals from consultants/contractors related to developing a toolkit and providing training to organiza- tions in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Proposals should support the dissemination and implementation of the CEC community engage- ment process for identifying locally-tailored, low-technology actions that reduce land-based marine litter. For more information, visit http://www.cec.org/about-us/opportunities/toolkit-and-train- ing-engage-north-american-communities-marine-litter-reduc- tion-efforts NOAA Marine Debris Prevention Grants Deadline: November 5,2019 for Letter of Intent The NOAA Marine Debris Program has announced its FY 2020 "Marine Debris Prevention" federal funding opportunity for projects that actively engage and educate a target audience (such as students, industries, or the public) in hands-on programs designed to raise awareness, provide practical approaches, reduce barriers, and encourage behavior change to ensure long-term prevention of marine debris. The Letter of Intent (LOI) submission period runs from September 17 to November 5, 2019. Applicants who submit successful LOIs will be invited to submit a full proposal. For more 7 ------- OCTOBER 201 9 - ISSUE 12 THE FLOW OF...TRASH FREE WATERS information on this FY 2020 grant opportunity, please visit Grants, gov and the NOAA Marine Debris Program's website. EPA Gulf of Mexico Trash Free Waters Grants Deadline: November 22, 2019 EPA is soliciting applications to improve water quality, habitat, community resilience, and environmental education in the Gulf of Mexico watershed. Working with businesses, communities, and state and local governments, applicants should develop innovative projects that will encourage and facilitate the removal and reduc- tion of trash that finds its way into waterways and ultimately our oceans. All projects must take place in one or more of the five Gulf states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida) and must be in the Gulf of Mexico watershed. For more information, visit: https://www.epa.aov/aulfofmexico/trash-free-waters-rfa USDA Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program Deadline: Rolling States, municipalities, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes may apply for assistance with improvement of 1) drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution, 2) sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal, 3) solid waste collection, disposal, and closure, and 4) stormwater collection, transmission, and disposal. For more information, visit: https://www.rd.usda.aov/ proarams-services/water-waste-disposal-loan-arant-proaram Oceans 5, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, Plastic Solutions Fund Deadline: Rolling The Plastic Solutions Fund focuses on reducing single use disposable plastics with a goal of phasing out all non-essential uses by 2035. It focuses on countries most vulnerable to pollution. Grantmaking priorities include projects to secure new policies to reduce single use disposable plastics, to reduce demand in the U.S., and to continue to build the global movement. Ongoing priorities include projects to hold consumer product companies accountable to reduce plastic waste, as well as grants to demon- strate "zero waste" cities, particularly in Asia. For more information, visit: https://oceans5.ora/contact/ David and Lucile Packard Foundation Grants Deadline: Rolling The David and Lucile Packard Foundation offers over $40 million annually through their Ocean program grants. Their program aims to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; ensure that fisheries are sustainable; and protect shorebird and seabird habitat. New project proposals could build off their research from last year, "American Millennial: Plastic Pollution as a Gateway to Engaging the Next Generation of Ocean Conservationists." For more informa- tion, visit: https://www.packard.ora/what-we-fund/ocean/. Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation Grants Deadline: Rolling Geographic focus: Metropolitan Detroit Area Non-profits in the Great Lakes area are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent to the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Founda- tion for projects related to improving water quality in the Great Lakes ecosystem. Projects may focus on environmental justice, green infrastructure for stormwater management, engagement and education through watershed-wide activities, and/or supporting binational cooperation between U.S. and Canadian policy efforts to improve water quality. For more information, visit: https://www. erbff.org/how-to-apply/ Oak Foundation Grants Deadline: Rolling Focusing on three priority areas - plastic waste, small-scale fisheries, and industrial fisheries - the Oak Foundation supports grants that will promote marine conservation strategies. It com- mits its resources to address issues of global, social and environ- mental concern, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged. The Foundation makes grants to organizations based in Europe, the Arctic, East Asia and Africa. For more information, visit: http://www.oakfnd.org/env-strategies— marine.html Funding the Ocean For inspiration on what others have done to protect our oceans and what other funding opportunities are available, check out Funding- TheOcean.org. http://fundingtheocean.org/funding-map/ Become an Ocean Leader Deadline: Rolling The Sustainable Ocean Alliance is looking for leaders who are seeking to develop projects and campaigns to inspire their commu- nities about ocean sustainability. Leaders will interact with a global community of experts, mentors, and other young leaders through the development of awareness campaigns/solution initiatives, and high-level conferences around the world. For more information, visit: https://soalliance.org/leadership/ Have a TFW Story to Share? The Flow is always looking for TFW articles, news and event information. Contact the editor at mayio.alice@epa.gov for submission deadlines. 8 ------- |