Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the development of a comprehensive list of drinking-water, wastewater, and flood-prevention infrastructure funding and projects for the Cahokia Heights/Metro East, Illinois area. This initiative was undertaken at the request of Rep. Nikki Budzinski, with EPA collaborating with over 35 stakeholders to compile information on funding needs, accessed funds, and completed projects.
“This matrix is one critical tool to address the flooding, wastewater and drinking water issues in the Metro East area,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “While these issues will not be solved overnight, knowing what funding and projects are available to the Metro East area is a crucial step in making progress.”
Rep. Nikki Budzinski expressed her support for the new funding matrix: “I’m thrilled to join the Environmental Protection Agency as they release a new funding matrix that brings unprecedented transparency to our response efforts in Cahokia Heights. For the first time in decades, we have local, state and federal officials working together in a coordinated response to the environmental health and safety crisis in Cahokia Heights.”
Senator Dick Durbin highlighted the long-standing challenges faced by residents: “For far too long, Metro-East residents have endured dangerous sewage flooding during rain storms because of dilapidated water infrastructure in the region. This is a public health crisis that has been decades in the making.” He emphasized that this new matrix would assist communities in tracking federal investments aimed at improving water and flood-prevention infrastructure.
Senator Tammy Duckworth also commented on the initiative: “The Cahokia Heights community has been saddled with inhumane conditions for decades. My office, along with my Congressional colleagues' offices, have been working together on a comprehensive approach to bring an end to this suffering.” She noted that while much work remains, this project funding database will help understand progress made and identify future needs.
Cahokia Heights faces numerous environmental challenges which community advocates have raised with U.S. EPA officials. The agency has committed itself to achieving environmental justice—ensuring fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income.
The spreadsheet detailing funding information will be updated regularly and circulated among stakeholders who voluntarily provide details about their projects. A copy can be requested by emailing EPA’s Cahokia Heights coordinator Betsy Nightingale at nightingale.elizabeth@epa.gov after acknowledging disclaimers and rules of engagement.
EPA will host webinars on June 5th from 12:00-1:00 PM CST and June 15th from 6:00-7:00 PM CST to answer questions regarding this initiative. An additional in-person meeting is planned but yet to be announced.
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