FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The City of Fayetteville plans to use a $100 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to restore local areas to "reduce emissions and improve sustainability."
This includes stream banks, wetlands, flood plains, and prairies in South Fayetteville. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Grant was awarded to "a tri-regional coalition." This includes the City of Fort Smith and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission.
The release said that $36,250,000 of the grant will be distributed to NWA regional partners. $11,999,409 will be used in Fayetteville and distributed as follows:
- $2,403,150 to the University of Arkansas
- $9,485,259 for the city, Northwest Arkansas Land Trust and Watershed Conservation Resource Center
The city plans to restore the ecosystems of several sections of wetlands and streams that are no longer thriving. The plans also include tree planting and the removal of invasive plant species.
Another part of this project involves creating a bike trail near the White River and offering income-driven vouchers for e-bikes.
Environmental Director Peter Nierengarten said this will help the city implement several nature-based solution elements in the recently adopted Climate Action Plan.
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