Watershed, Stream Restoration Projects Highlighted

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Southern Company recently met with 2013 Five Star and Urban Waters Program awardees to recognize and highlight their work to restore streams and watersheds. 

“Watershed and stream restoration projects play a significant role in improving public health, providing additional recreational opportunities and boosting local economies,” said EPA Regional Administrator Heather McTeer Toney. “Work by grant awardees is essential to protecting and restoring these valuable resources and keeping our lakes, rivers and streams clean.”

“Southern Company’s support of the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program reflects our long-standing commitment to protecting and preserving our natural resources,” said Southern Company Chief Environmental Officer Larry S. Monroe. “We are proud to partner in restoring these important ecosystems for the benefit of local wildlife and the communities we serve.”

The following projects were recognized:

Alabama

• Turkey Creek Vermilion Darter Restoration and Education, Pinson, Ala.
• Persimmon Branch Wetlands Enhancement, Troy, Ala.
• Oyster Restoration in Coastal Alabama, Mobile County, Ala.

Florida

• Eden Gardens State Park Estuarine Shoreline Restoration, Walton County, Fla.

Georgia

• Urban Atlanta Wetland Restoration and Rare Species Recovery, Metro Atlanta, Ga.
• Clear Creek Watershed Restoration, Atlanta, Ga.
• Stockade Creek and Riparian Zone Restoration, Atlanta, Ga.
• Mill Creek Plunge Pool Restoration, Atlanta, Ga.

Mississippi

• Turkey Creek Greenway/Blueway, Gulfport, Miss.
• Creating a Living Laboratory in Pascagoula Marshland, Pascagoula, Miss.

The Five Star and Urban Waters Program develops and supports community stewardship of local natural resources in cities and towns across America. The program funds projects that will preserve these resources for future generations while at the same time enhancing habitat for local wildlife. Projects seek to address water quality issues in priority watersheds, such as erosion due to unstable stream banks, pollution from stormwater runoff, and degraded shorelines caused by development.

Press Release