Trump Funding Freeze Halts Key Environmental Projects in Los Angeles Area
Millions in Funding Frozen, Preventing Tree Planting and Other Environmental Efforts
President Trump’s federal funding freeze has halted two environmental improvement projects in Los Angeles County worth $28 million, preventing the planting of urban trees, including some that were to be used in burned-out Altadena.
$20 Million GREEN San Gabriel Valley Collaborative Grant
The $20 million GREEN San Gabriel Valley Collaborative grant was funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, a bipartisan law adopted by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. The grant was awarded to six nonprofit agencies to green less-affluent, pollution-burdened communities in the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire.
Tree Planting and Fruit Tree Giveaways
The grant focused on communities with fewer trees and with asphalt-created heat islands, including El Monte, South El Monte, Baldwin Park, La Puente, Lynwood, Paramount, Rialto, San Fernando, Sylmar, and Altadena. TreePeople, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, was moving ahead with planting 3,600 public trees and planning on giving away 4,100 fruit trees to the public before losing the funding. However, two fruit tree giveaways had to be canceled due to the funding freeze.
USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant
The $8 million Southern California urban forestry grant was also frozen, affecting communities with insufficient tree canopies. The grant was being administered by TreePeople and focused on communities with fewer trees and with asphalt-created heat islands.
Consequences of the Funding Freeze
The funding freeze has resulted in the suspension of grant funds, preventing the reimbursement of invoices submitted by the six agencies divvying up the grant money. Three Active SGV employees hired for the project were informed they would be furloughed if money was not restored. The project’s employees and the lengthy program are now in jeopardy.
Conclusion
The Trump funding freeze has halted two environmental improvement projects in Los Angeles County, preventing the planting of urban trees and other environmental efforts. The projects were designed to fight the effects of global climate change, including the planting of trees, which eat up carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, and the promotion of cargo electric bikes, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
FAQs
Q: What is the GREEN San Gabriel Valley Collaborative grant?
A: The GREEN San Gabriel Valley Collaborative grant is a $20 million grant funded by the Inflation Reduction Act to green less-affluent, pollution-burdened communities in the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire.
Q: What is the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant?
A: The USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant is an $8 million grant focused on communities with insufficient tree canopies in Southern California.
Q: What are the consequences of the funding freeze?
A: The funding freeze has resulted in the suspension of grant funds, preventing the reimbursement of invoices submitted by the six agencies divvying up the grant money, and putting the jobs of three Active SGV employees at risk.
