Cooperative Agreement 00A01125

DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION FOR THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED URBAN WATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP AMBASSADOR. THE AMBASSADOR SUPPORTS THE PARTNERSHIP'S MISSION TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND INCREASE ACCESS TO PUBLIC OPEN SPACES THROUGH COORDINATION AND FACILITATION WHILE ALSO FURTHERING EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CREATE EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES IN THE WATERSHED. ACTIVITIES:ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE AMBASSADOR TO: SERVE AS THE PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE MYSTIC RIVER URBAN WATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP, PROMOTE AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CAPACITY BUILDING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT; COORDINATE, PLAN, AND COLLABORATE WITH FEDERAL PARTNER AGENCIES; COORDINATE ON BEHALF OF THE URBAN WATERS PROGRAM IN THE MASSACHUSETTS BAYS REGION; COORDINATE, PLAN, AND WORK WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PARTNERS IN IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY PROJECTS; PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH SUPPORT BY WORKING CLOSELY WITH EPA; AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THE MYSTIC RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE THE URBAN WATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP AMBASSADOR COORDINATING AT LEAST TWO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS WITH AT LEAST ONE FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES, SENDING MONTHLY EMAILS ABOUT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES SHARED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, PARTICIPATING IN AT LEAST TWELVE STEWARDSHIP EVENTS IN THE WATERSHED TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, SUPPORTING THREE ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE WATERSHED, HOSTING TWO STORMWATER COLLABORATIVE MEETINGS CENTERED ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND SUPPORTING OR LEADING ONE FUNDING APPLICATION THAT THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION SUBMITS FOR FUNDING. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED FUNDING FOR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS IN THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CENSUS BLOCKS, INCREASED UNDERSTANDING BY STATE AGENCIES AND OTHER PARTNERS AROUND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACTS AND STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO BETTER ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, INCREASED LINKAGES BETWEEN COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCY PARTNERS, MORE DIVERSE RESIDENTS UNDERSTANDING OF, CARING ABOUT, AND BECOMING ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN FOR THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE CITIZENS AND PROFESSIONALS LIVING, WORKING, AND RECREATING IN AND ON THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED.