Judge Orders Federal Government to Release Environmental and Infrastructure Funding

Providence, RI — The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) is celebrating a major win for our communities, climate, local jobs and trees. U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy has ordered the Trump administration to lift its freeze on billions in funding for environmental and infrastructure projects across the country, including over $1 million for WRWC’s urban forestry project along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway.

“This is a huge relief,” said WRWC Executive Director Alicia Lehrer. “We can finally move forward with planting trees, reducing flooding and summer heat, and creating green jobs right here in Providence.”

Represented by Democracy Forward and DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, the WRWC was the lead plaintiff on this lawsuit along with National Council of Nonprofits, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Green Infrastructure Center. The judge’s order–a preliminary injunction–secures the largest release of this critical funding to date, ensuring projects can get back on track across the country.

The court’s ruling means WRWC can restart its federally funded work to expand green space along the Greenway, improve public health, and create local job opportunities. The funding had been unfairly frozen by the administration earlier this year, delaying projects and hurting communities nationwide.

This ruling puts power back in the hands of the community. The WRWC is prepared to get back to work building a greener future for everyone who lives in the Watershed. 

You can read Democracy Forward’s full story on this ruling here.

To learn more, visit www.wrwc.org or www.democracyforward.org.

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