EPA Region 1 announced today that applications are currently being accepted for Environmental Justice Small Grants to support projects that address local environmental and public health issues within affected communities. The EPA’s New England regional office expects to award four grants of $20,000, according to the release.

According to the agency, the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program was designed to help communities understand and address their exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. The long-term goals of the grant program, said the release, are to help build the capacity of an affected community and create self-sustaining, community-based partnerships that will continue to improve local environmental in the future.

Application packages must be postmarked by midnight Monday, June 30, 2008, said the release.

Guidance outlining the eligibility, purposes, goals and general procedures for the application and award are available on the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html#applications

For more information: on the EJ Small Grant program, visit www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html#applications