Featured Stories
Smithsonian Store Unveils 2026 Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Museum-Inspired Finds for Every Interest
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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Smithsonian Store Unveils 2026 Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Museum-Inspired Finds for Every Interest
From Smithsonian Collections to Holiday Traditions, Unique Gifts Support the Nation's Museum
October 9, 2026
The Smithsonian Store today launched its 2026 Holiday Gift Guide, offering hundreds of distinctive gifts inspired by the Smithsonian's museums, collections, research and exhibitions. From science kits and artisan jewelry to books, apparel and home decor, the guide helps shoppers find meaningful
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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Smithsonian Store Unveils 2026 Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Museum-Inspired Finds for Every Interest
From Smithsonian Collections to Holiday Traditions, Unique Gifts Support the Nation's Museum
October 9, 2026
The Smithsonian Store today launched its 2026 Holiday Gift Guide, offering hundreds of distinctive gifts inspired by the Smithsonian's museums, collections, research and exhibitions. From science kits and artisan jewelry to books, apparel and home decor, the guide helps shoppers find meaningfulgifts while supporting the world's largest museum, education and research complex.
Whether shopping for a budding paleontologist eager to take home a modern keepsake inspired by the prehistoric world or a history buff drawn to the stories and discoveries that shaped the world, shoppers will find gifts that reflect the Smithsonian's commitment to curiosity, creativity and imagination.
Every Smithsonian Store purchase directly supports the Institution's mission with the proceeds helping sustain its educational and scholarly work for generations to come. Shoppers can also take advantage of seasonal discounts, like free shipping on Veterans Day, by signing up for the Smithsonian Store newsletter.
Best-selling favorites from the holiday guide include:
Exclusive Smithsonian Men's Winter Layers--Forget the ugly holiday sweater. Smithsonian-inspired apparel combines comfort and style with stories drawn from American history, culture and art. Standout pieces include a Bird House short sleeve button down shirt, a long-sleeve Tuskegee Airmen T-shirt and a fleece hoodie featuring Jean-Michel Basquiat's iconic Pez Dispenser artwork.
Handmade Holiday Cards--Send a holiday greeting inspired by the Smithsonian's collections. A tasteful and fun way to do that is by sending handcrafted cards inspired by the Smithsonian's collections. Designs like Merry Berries for garden lovers and Artistic Christmas Trees for art enthusiasts bring a personal touch to holiday messages.
Seasonal Pins Collection--Inspired by objects and designs found throughout Smithsonian collections, these festive accessories add a touch of holiday spirit to any wardrobe. Featured designs include a peace dove, red cardinal, pinecone branch and a freshwater pearl snowman.
Gifts for Home Chefs and Dinner Party Hosts--Inspired by culinary traditions and museum collections, these gifts are ideal for food lovers and entertainers alike. Highlights include the New Native Kitchen cookbook from the National Museum of the American Indian and Julia Child's Kitchen, a behind-the-scenes look at the famed chef's recipe-testing laboratory, along with distinctive housewares, including the Polka Dot Salad and Server Set and Murano stemless wineglasses, that help elevate any holiday gathering.
Science Activity Kits--These kits encourage hands-on learning and discovery designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers. Young learners can build a glow-in-the-dark giant volcano, grow crystals, explore dinosaurs through virtual reality, or investigate the sky with a beginner-friendly telescope.
Whether shopping by interest or by museum, the Smithsonian Store's Holiday Gift Guide offers a meaningful way to celebrate the season. The full guide is available at SmithsonianStore.com, and information about more ways to support the Smithsonian is on its website.
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About Smithsonian Enterprises
Smithsonian Enterprises oversees the commercial activities of the Smithsonian through a variety of business activities. Media includes Smithsonian magazine, which reaches over 850,000 print subscribers; www.smithsonianmag.com with more than 7 million unique monthly visitors; and the Smithsonian Channel, which is available to over 40 million cable households in the U.S. and Canada and 71 million subscribers via the Paramount+ streaming platform; Retail includes 31 museum and airport stores, two IMAX theaters, a planetarium, and food concessions; E-Commerce runs smithsonianstore.com; Travel oversees Smithsonian Journeys and Smithsonian Student Travel with over 300 departures annually; and Licensing oversees over 85 licensees in categories such as toys, publishing, collectibles, jewelry and home. These revenue generating activities support and further the Smithsonian mission of "the increase and diffusion of knowledge" by providing revenue to support the exhibition and research programs of the Smithsonian.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-store-unveils-2026-holiday-gift-guide-featuring-museum-inspired-finds
Smithsonian Institution: "Mighty Miniatures" Showcases Tiny Artworks From Indigenous Communities Across the Western Hemisphere
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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"Mighty Miniatures" Showcases Tiny Artworks From Indigenous Communities Across the Western Hemisphere
Exhibition Pulls From More Than 1,300 Miniatures In the Museum's Collection
October 8, 2026
"Mighty Miniatures," an exhibition celebrating the intricate art of miniatures, is on view at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York Saturday, Nov. 21-Friday, Aug. 20, 2027. Curated by Anya Montiel (Tohono O'odham descent), the exhibition features over 300 pieces of art that showcase
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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"Mighty Miniatures" Showcases Tiny Artworks From Indigenous Communities Across the Western Hemisphere
Exhibition Pulls From More Than 1,300 Miniatures In the Museum's Collection
October 8, 2026
"Mighty Miniatures," an exhibition celebrating the intricate art of miniatures, is on view at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York Saturday, Nov. 21-Friday, Aug. 20, 2027. Curated by Anya Montiel (Tohono O'odham descent), the exhibition features over 300 pieces of art that showcasethe skill of Indigenous weavers, sculptors, carvers and other artists that work on a miniscule scale.
The exhibition includes tiny masterpieces created over a span of nearly two centuries by artists from Indigenous communities from North and South America, as well as Hawai'i and the Caribbean. The selected works of pottery, textiles, carving and basketry demonstrate more than the skills of the artists; they reflect worldviews and cultural expressions, encourage play and transfer intergenerational knowledge.
"'Mighty Miniatures' brings together some of the smallest works in the museum collection, reaching across the Western Hemisphere and spanning nearly 200 years," Montiel said. "It is amazing to see how these miniatures have been made with such skill, ingenuity and detail. This exhibition is a celebration of Indigenous artistry on a small scale and the artists who create them."
The exhibition is divided into six sections:
* Playing with Scale introduces visitors to the concept of miniatures, placing small works alongside their full-sized equivalents.
* Play Is Important! highlights miniatures as essential teaching tools for children to learn about their world and practice adult skills, and includes cradleboards, mother and child figures, dolls and clothing. There are two subsections bringing together various Lakota toys like a model tipi and buffalo, and Arctic toys like an Inuit dogsled team.
* Watercraft shows Indigenous models of canoes, kayaks and other vessels designed to navigate rivers, lakes and oceans across the Americas. Like their large counterparts, the model boats use similar materials of birchbark, animal hide and cedar wood.
* Architecture reflects a diversity of Indigenous housing styles and materials to refute the stereotype that "all Indians live in tipis" with examples from the Northern Cheyenne, Navajo, Zuni, Yupik, Inupiaq and Kichwa peoples.
* Skill and Artistry explains one of the reasons why Indigenous artists make miniatures. It is a way for artists to showcase their mastery of materials and techniques. Some artist families, like the Lonewolf family of Santa Clara Pueblo, are known for specializing in miniatures. This section has some of the smallest works in the show, such as a Pomo miniature basket measuring 0.1 by 0.1 inches.
* Tourism and the Art Market is another section answering why Indigenous artists make miniatures. As more tourists traveled to Indigenous communities, artists responded by creating smaller works that were easier to carry over long distances and market as gifts and souvenirs. Some miniatures have become collectible works of art, like Alaskan ivory carvings and Maine fancy baskets, with people seeking miniatures for their personal collections.
Free Opening Program
A family-friendly opening program is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12. Multi-disciplinary artist Lance Cardinal (Cree), a finalist on the TV show Best In Miniature, will lead visitors in mini drum making sessions, recommended for ages 6 and up accompanied by an adult caregiver. Sessions will begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Gallery tours by Montiel will illuminate the stories behind the objects and discuss how the exhibition came together. Tours begin at noon and 2:30 p.m.
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About the Museum
In partnership with Native peoples and their allies, the National Museum of the American Indian fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples. The museum in New York is located at 1 Bowling Green. For information about the museums, including hours and directions, visit americanindian.si.edu. Follow the museum on social media @SmithsonianNMAI.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/mighty-miniatures-showcases-tiny-artworks-indigenous-communities-across-western
SBA Relief Still Available to Nevada Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Bug and Hawk Fires
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to Nevada Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Bug and Hawk Fires
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in California of the Nov. 10 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by the Bug and Hawk Fires occurring Aug. 8 - Sept. 9.
The disaster declaration covers the Nevada counties of Carson
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to Nevada Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Bug and Hawk Fires
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in California of the Nov. 10 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by the Bug and Hawk Fires occurring Aug. 8 - Sept. 9.
The disaster declaration covers the Nevada counties of CarsonCity, Churchill, Humboldt, Lyon, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe, and the California counties of Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, and Sierra, as well as the Oregon counties of Harney and Lake.
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.
"One distinct advantage of SBA's disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future damage," said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery at SBA. "I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA's mitigation loans."
The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations -- including faith-based organizations -- impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for private nonprofits, and 3.00% for homeowners and renters, with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA's National Support Network Center at (866) SBA-HELP or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information about disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return physical damage applications is Nov. 10. However, after the deadline has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2027.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/10/09/sba-relief-still-available-nevada-small-businesses-private-nonprofits-affected-bug-hawk-fires
SBA Relief Still Available to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Oakland Apartment Fire
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Oakland Apartment Fire
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in California of the Nov. 10 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the Oakland Apartment Fire occurring Jan. 19.
The disaster declaration covers the California counties of
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Oakland Apartment Fire
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in California of the Nov. 10 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the Oakland Apartment Fire occurring Jan. 19.
The disaster declaration covers the California counties ofAlameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus.
Under this declaration, SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations -- including faith-based organizations -- impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
"SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery," said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery at SBA. "These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster."
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's National Support Network Center at (866) SBA-HELP or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information about disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than Nov 10. However, after the deadline has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/10/09/sba-relief-still-available-california-small-businesses-private-nonprofits-affected-oakland-apartment
NASA's SPHEREx Telescope Sees Menagerie of Brown Dwarfs
PASADENA, California, Oct. 9 -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA's SPHEREx Telescope Sees Menagerie of Brown Dwarfs
Oct. 8, 2026
The dimly glowing balls of gas formed like stars but in other ways resemble giant planets.
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NASA's SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) space telescope is shedding light on brown dwarfs, celestial objects that blur the line between stars and exoplanets. New findings published in The Astrophysical Journal show that these dark and cloudy worlds have chemically rich
... Show Full Article
PASADENA, California, Oct. 9 -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news:
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NASA's SPHEREx Telescope Sees Menagerie of Brown Dwarfs
Oct. 8, 2026
The dimly glowing balls of gas formed like stars but in other ways resemble giant planets.
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NASA's SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) space telescope is shedding light on brown dwarfs, celestial objects that blur the line between stars and exoplanets. New findings published in The Astrophysical Journal show that these dark and cloudy worlds have chemically richatmospheres not unlike the giant planets in our own solar system.
First discovered in the 1990s, brown dwarfs form from collapsing clouds of gas, like stars do, but they aren't hefty enough to sustain hydrogen fusion in their cores. These dimly glowing balls of warm gas also share characteristics with Jupiter and Saturn. In contrast to most planets, however, brown dwarfs drift in darkness, ungoverned by a host star and heated entirely from within.
"They're kind of goth," said Zafar Rustamkulov, lead author of the new study and a scientist at IPAC, Caltech's science and data center in Pasadena, California. "Unlike exoplanets, free-floating brown dwarfs are completely independent celestial objects that will fade into eternity alone. We're still learning how complex they are."
Only a few dozen of these "dark wanderers" have been studied in detail with space-based telescopes. Astronomers want to observe more of them in the wild because much of our understanding of their makeup, storminess, and evolution comes from theoretical models.
Enter NASA's SPHEREx, an infrared space telescope launched in March 2025 and managed by the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
The study authors analyzed SPHEREx observations of 37 nearby brown dwarfs spanning the full brown dwarf temperature range, from about 4,000 to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 to minus 20 degrees Celsius). The telescope measures their brightness in 102 different colors, from the deepest red our eyes can see, to the invisible heat of infrared light, creating a spectrum. These spectra revealed to the study authors chemically rich atmospheres harboring water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane.
"We're seeing the signatures of these molecules and how they change from object to object across the entire temperature regime," said study coauthor J. Davy Kirkpatrick, a scientist at Caltech's IPAC. "Our paper concentrated on just three dozen, but we have thousands more that we are in the process of analyzing. I really want to see what bounds the universe places on the variety of brown dwarfs."
"From orbit, SPHEREx sees wavelengths of light that are basically impossible to see with telescopes on the ground because water in Earth's atmosphere absorbs them," Rustamkulov said. "We are picking up light from the deep, red clouds of brown dwarfs all over the sky."
Sweet spot
Spotting brown dwarfs is something of a side project for SPHEREx. The space telescope takes about 3,600 unique images per day to stitch into maps of the entire sky. Knowing where hundreds of millions of galaxies are distributed across the cosmos will help scientists reconstruct what happened in the first billionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second after the big bang. As it scans the sky, the telescope also is searching for the chemical ingredients of life and finding interstellar ice that could one day seed oceans on distant worlds.
For years, brown dwarfs have been spotted by other observatories, including NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and retired Spitzer Space Telescope. But thanks to its spectral coverage, SPHEREx is now imaging thousands of them for the first time in a fruitful region of the electromagnetic spectrum that spans deep red and infrared wavelengths of light.
At those wavelengths, molecules carve out distinct absorption patterns in the light shining out to space. The patterns change as brown dwarfs grow older and colder. Some of the brown dwarfs observed by SPHEREx are in a dynamic stage of life when their exotic clouds thin out, giving way to methane-rich atmospheres.
"The state-of-the-art models are capturing the general chemical trend, but when it comes to these cloudy transitions, the models are struggling to match the data," said Rustamkulov. "No two brown dwarfs are alike. Even at the same temperature, their spectra look quite distinct."
"The findings are a call to action to explore even more of these dark worlds," said Kirkpatrick. "This journey has turned many of us into accidental meteorologists. We know how hard it is to predict weather on our own planet, and we realize it's going to be just as challenging to explain the phenomena we see in these bizarre, cold objects."
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More about SPHEREx
The mission is managed by JPL for NASA's Astrophysics Division within the Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The telescope and the spacecraft bus were built by BAE Systems. The science analysis of the SPHEREx data is being conducted by a team of scientists at 13 institutions across the United States and in South Korea and Taiwan, led by Jamie Bock, principal investigator, who is based at Caltech with a joint JPL appointment, and by JPL's Olivier Dore, the project scientist. Data is processed and archived at IPAC at Caltech in Pasadena. Caltech manages JPL for NASA. The SPHEREx dataset is freely available to scientists and the public.
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Original text here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-spherex-telescope-sees-menagerie-of-brown-dwarfs/
Factory Floor Fridays: Chairman Jovanovic Tours Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Talks with Industry Leaders on Future of U.S. Aviation
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Factory Floor Fridays: Chairman Jovanovic Tours Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Talks with Industry Leaders on Future of U.S. Aviation
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FORT WORTH, TX. -- Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Chairman John Jovanovic visited Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' Fort Worth facility as part of its Factory Floor Fridays initiative. Factory Floor Fridays tell the story of the American Dream through the eyes of the companies and workers building the next generation of American industry, proving with
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Factory Floor Fridays: Chairman Jovanovic Tours Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Talks with Industry Leaders on Future of U.S. Aviation
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FORT WORTH, TX. -- Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Chairman John Jovanovic visited Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' Fort Worth facility as part of its Factory Floor Fridays initiative. Factory Floor Fridays tell the story of the American Dream through the eyes of the companies and workers building the next generation of American industry, proving withthe right tools and support, U.S. innovation can compete and win anywhere in the world.
During the visit, Chairman Jovanovic toured Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' F-35 assembly facility, met with the plant's leaders and workers, and discussed the importance of keeping America dominant in the industries of the future. The company employs more than 30,000 highly-skilled professionals around the world and is responsible for the development of high-tech systems that shape the future of U.S. aviation.
"U.S. EXIM is focused on ensuring our advanced manufacturing supply chains are secure, and it all starts with mining," said Chairman Jovanovic. "Lockheed Martin continues to support America's mines through strong partnerships. You can't build the warplane of the future without the critical minerals used to power them. We're proud to work with them to strengthen supply chains, revitalize manufacturing, and keep future generations of Americans safe."
"America's security and economic strength are built on factory floors like this one in Fort Worth," said Jim Taiclet, Chairman, President and CEO of Lockheed Martin. "We appreciate Chairman Jovanovic's focus on strengthening U.S. manufacturing, building a resilient industrial base and ensuring America maintains its leadership in aerospace and defense technology."
"American manufacturers are the backbone of our economic security," Jovanovic added. "Factory Floor Fridays give everyday Americans the opportunity to hear from businesses large and small--which account for nearly 90 percent of our transactions--and ensure they have the financing tools they need to compete, grow, and win in global markets."
When EXIM was founded 92 years ago, its mission was simple: support America's economic recovery from the Great Depression by creating well-paying jobs and rebuilding the nation's manufacturing base. Under President Trump's leadership, EXIM is once again a frontline economic tool to revitalize America's economy and define a future led by U.S. innovation.
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Original text here: https://www.exim.gov/news/factory-floor-fridays-chairman-jovanovic-tours-lockheed-martin-aeronautics-talks-industry
EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Wraps Two-Day Swing in Virginia, Joins Representative Kiggans to Announce Over $90 Million for Chesapeake Bay Program
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Wraps Two-Day Swing in Virginia, Joins Representative Kiggans to Announce Over $90 Million for Chesapeake Bay Program
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WASHINGTON -- Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi was joined by U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) to announce more than $90 million in funding for 83 projects in Smithfield, Va. The funding coming from Small Watershed Implementation and Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grants
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Wraps Two-Day Swing in Virginia, Joins Representative Kiggans to Announce Over $90 Million for Chesapeake Bay Program
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WASHINGTON -- Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi was joined by U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) to announce more than $90 million in funding for 83 projects in Smithfield, Va. The funding coming from Small Watershed Implementation and Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grantsand matching funds, will help to improve water quality and reduce nutrient and sediment pollution throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The pair got to see firsthand the impact the funding can have during a tour of the living shoreline at Windsor Castle Park, a key project providing a tangible example of how federal investments support practical, on-the-ground restoration and coastal resilience.
"My visit to Virginia was yet another example of why it's so important to meet with state and local leaders and speak directly to them about how EPA can best support their communities," said EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi. "Our announcement on Friday to provide tens of millions of dollars in additional funding to the Chesapeake Bay program proves how the Trump Administration is investing in improving water quality, reducing nutrients and sediment entering the watershed, and keeping our ecosystems healthy for generations to come."
The announcement was part of a two-day swing in Virginia where he met with state and local leaders to discuss how the Trump EPA can continue advancing cooperative federalism with the state to protect human health and the environment. On Thursday, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District following the completion of the Norfolk Harbor and Thimble Shoal Channel deepening project. Port-related activity like this supports more than 570,000 jobs and approximately $63 billion in Virginia gross state product annually. As the port continues to expand its infrastructure, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi and USACE focused on how efficient permitting and coordination among federal agencies can help ensure these projects continue.
Next, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi traveled to Virginia Beach to meet with Mayor Bobby Dyer and City Manager Patrick Duhaney. Mayor Dyer is a newly appointed member of EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), an advisory group comprised of state and local officials who help advance the agency's core mission while Powering the Great American Comeback. Their discussion focused on local infrastructure priorities and the federal-local partnership.
Deputy Administrator Fotouhi ended his trip with a visit at the Atlantic Wood Industries Superfund Site. This site is a 50-acre industrial waterfront property along the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, where EPA has led a multi-phase cleanup addressing contaminated soil, groundwater and more than 30 acres of river sediment, including the dredging of approximately 360,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment. The visit highlighted progress of the cleanup and ongoing efforts to measure its impact on the health of the Elizabeth River ecosystem, including through tissue sampling of oysters and other aquatic species. The Trump EPA's Superfund Solutions initiative aims to expedite cleanups at sites across the country so that they can return to productive reuse in their communities.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-deputy-administrator-fotouhi-wraps-two-day-swing-virginia-joins-representative
