Grant available for local stormwater project funding up to $4,000 Make a Splash environmental grants of up to $4,000 are available from City of Tacoma Environmental Services to any school, business, organization or individual considering a project to help protect surface water resources within the Tacoma city limits by preventing stormwater pollution. Application materials must be postmarked or emailed by May 20, 2013. Make a Splash grants are designed to prevent pollution and protect clean water through community collaborations focusing on education, protection and restoration efforts. Projects funded by a Make a Splash grant must meet at least one of these goals. Projects focusing on water conservation or clean drinking water will not be considered. Projects could include: * Video, audio, print or other media education efforts * Citizen-led pollution prevention outreach efforts * Field trips or science day camps * Installation of cigarette butt litter cans throughout business districts * Demonstrating low-impact development practices to soak in stormwater on site, such as rain gardens or porous pavers * Business-related stormwater outreach and education * Multilingual outreach efforts or educational materials Tie-ins with the Puget Sound regional stormwater pollution prevention campaign, Puget Sound Starts Here (www.PugetSoundStartsHere.org<http://www.PugetSoundStartsHere.org>), are encouraged. Key messages in that campaign include proper pet waste disposal, natural yard care, preferred car washing methods, fixing leaky vehicles and planting trees. The Make a Splash grant program, funded by the City's Surface Water Management utility rates, provides up to $50,000 in grants every year. To find out more about the grant, past projects, tips or to download an application, go to www.cityoftacoma.org/makeasplash<http://www.cityoftacoma.org/makeasplash>, email makeasplash@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:makeasplash@cityoftacoma.org> or call (253) 502-2126.