Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative

DESCRIPTION: THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $499,757 TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CITIES AND TOWNS INITIATIVE OF MISSOURI. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO THROUGH THE REDUCTION AND PREVENTION OF TRASH ENTERING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. ACTIVITIES: THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED ARE COMMUNITY-ESTABLISHED SOURCE REDUCTION ACTIONS, INSTALLATION OF WATER FILLING STATIONS, EDUCATION, REPLACEMENT OF UNSUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS/PRACTICES (E.G., RESTAURANTS), AND THE COLLECTION OF TRASH IN STORM DRAIN INLET CAPTURE DEVICES. OUTCOMES: ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE REDUCTION OF 5,000 SINGLE USE BOTTLES PER MONTH THROUGH USE OF WATER REFILL STATIONS; 300,000 CONSUMERS, 500 BUSINESSES, AND 20 INSTITUTIONS ENGAGED THROUGH 50 RESOURCES AND 20 PROGRAMS; AND DATA ON LITTER COLLECTED AT 50 TRANSECTS AND AT STORM DRAIN CAPTURE DEVICES. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE 75% REDUCTION IN TRASH PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE ENVIRONMENT, 80% INCREASE IN COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, 50% CHANGE IN PRACTICES/APPROACHES RESULTING IN THE PREVENTION OF TRASH FROM REACHING WATERWAYS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE TARGETED COMMUNITIES IN ST. LOUIS, MO, WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED WATER QUALITY THROUGH THE REDUCTION AND PREVENTION OF LITTER. SUBRECIPIENT: SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FOSTERING A COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS, WORKING DIRECTLY WITH RESTAURANTS TO HELP REDUCE THEIR NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, EMPLOYING WASTE DIVERSION METHODS, AND CONDUCTING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH REGARDING EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING.