This $19,999,967 Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (CFDA 66.616) will enable The Working Lands Trust, Inc. of North Carolina to implement several key initiatives:
Identification and replacement of lead pipes in residential homes, churches, and community centers to improve water quality and public health in an under-resourced area. This includes testing of residential wells for contaminants like PFAS and lead.
Restoration of a 28.16-acre coastal wetland through cleanup, invasive species removal, and water management activities. This will enhance downstream water quality, improve stormwater management, and increase climate resilience.
The project aims to remediate at least 425 building water systems, conduct a minimum of 500 water quality tests, and hold 15 community education workshops. Additionally, the wetland restoration efforts will include 6 ecological and hydrological assessments, an accessible entrance pathway, and 9 community outreach events.