USF St. Petersburg Receives EPA Grant to Study Coastal Science and Policy

Editor’s Note: Scientists, President Judy Genshaft, Congressman Young and Regional Chancellor Karen A. White will be available after the announcement.

(St. Petersburg, Fla.)—Nov. 28, 2005—Scientists at USF St. Petersburg and Congressman C. W. “Bill” Young will announce the receipt of a $727,000 grant from the National Center for Environmental Research of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the waterfront at USF St. Petersburg Monday, Nov. 28 at 10:30 a.m. This funding will help to establish the Center for Science and Policy Applications for the Coastal Environment.

Initial faculty projects focus on: the use, supply and quality of freshwater; the fate, effects, assessment and remediation of water-borne pollutants; water quality and quantity driven changes in inland and coastal ecosystems; and management and policy of coastal freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Karen A. White, regional chancellor for USF St. Petersburg, credited Congressman Young for his foresight in support of environmental research and noted that USF President Judy Genshaft has worked with him on a number of crucial appropriations, including this program.

White said, “Our campus is committed to research that is relevant to our region. Water quality and supply is one of the most important issues to face our region, our state and our country.”

The program will be directed by professors Christopher D’Elia and James Gore. This framework will enable increased interaction for USF St. Petersburg researchers in Environmental Science, Policy and Geography with collaborators at the USF College of Marine Science, the Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service/NOAA, and the State’s Florida Wildlife Research Institute, all of which are also located on USF St. Petersburg.

Regional Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs V. Mark Durand said this funding is the result of the work of a number of faculty over the last nine months. “This funding enables our researchers and colleagues to devote collective energy and investigation to critical environmental concerns such as water quality and supply in coastal Florida.”