GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The Environmental ProtectionAgency, the White House and other
federal departments announced Fridaythat they are expanding a program for restoring and improving
urbanwaterways nationwide.The Urban Waters Federal Partnership nowoperates in seven locations. Officials
said Friday they’re adding theGrand River in Grand Rapids, Mich., the Middle Rio Grande inAlbuquerque,
N.M., and nine other areas. The program links economicdevelopment, recreational and environmental
improvement goals."Sincewe launched the Urban Waters Federal Partnership two years ago, we’veseen
firsthand what the transformation of degraded urban waterways intoclean, healthy and treasured
centerpieces can do for local communities —not only from an aesthetic standpoint, but also from a public
healthand economic standpoint," acting EPA Administrator Bob Perciasepe saidin a statement.The
other new sites are the Big River and MeramecRiver around St. Louis; the Delaware River in Philadelphia,
Camden,N.J., Chester, Pa., and Wilmington, Del.; the Green-Duwamish River inSeattle; the Mystic River in
metropolitan Boston; Martin Pena Canal inSan Juan, Puerto Rico; Middle Blue River in Kansas City;
Passaic Riverin Newark, N.J.; Proctor Creek in Atlanta; and Lake Erie near Toledo,Ohio.Among other
participating agencies are the U.S. departmentsof Agriculture, Interior, Education, and Housing and
Urban Development."Restoringthese waterways is not only important for improving the water that
weall depend on, but for spurring economic growth and creatingrecreational opportunities in these
communities as well," saidAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.The original seven sites arethe
Anacostia watershed in the District of Columbia and Maryland;Patapsco watershed in the Baltimore area;
Bronx and Harlem Riverwatersheds in New York; South Platte River in Denver; Los Angeles Riverwatershed;
Lake Pontchartrain area in New Orleans; and northwestIndiana.___Online:http://www.urbanwaters.govCopyright 2013 The
Associated Press.