Smart Growth

Making a Visible Difference in Communities: Virginia


Newport News, VA

EPA Region 3 staff joined the Southeast Asthma Network and the Boys & Girls Club marching and distributing asthma-related materials to promote asthma awareness and health at the 25th annual Southeast Community Day Parade.EPA Region 3 staff joined the Southeast Asthma Network and the Boys & Girls Club marching and distributing asthma-related materials to promote asthma awareness and health at the 25th annual Southeast Community Day Parade.

Building upon previous assistance provided through a grant to the Southeast CARE Coalition, EPA is working to empower Newport News with technical assistance and information to support community and municipal stakeholders. 

Examples of EPA technical assistance include:

  • green infrastructure planning for schools
  • building resilience and adapting to climate change
  • conducting air quality sampling and helping to develop collaborative partnerships and local capacity.

 EPA is also supporting a collaborative research project to help the local stakeholders understand and reduce cumulative risks from toxic pollutant exposure.  


Norfolk, VA

Making a Visible Difference in Communities Home

EPA is engaging with the city and communities of Norfolk to build community and infrastructure capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change, improve water quality and enhance quality of life in neighborhoods. 

Priorities include:

  • assessing brownfields for potential redevelopment
  • incorporating green infrastructure into stormwater management to reduce pollution and flooding
  • using scientific tools to gain a better understanding of the environmental and socio-economic impacts of ports on the surrounding community. 

Chesterfield Heights NeighborhoodNorfolk’s Chesterfield Heights neighborhood is one area particularly susceptible to flooding. Residents are hoping to improve this situation through green infrastructure and stormwater management strategies.

Norfolk Shareholders MeetingLocal stakeholders participating Norfolk’s 2016 Building Blocks workshop plan to improve the city’s flooding and stormwater management.