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.

Past projects include field trips, science day camps, habitat restoration activities, rain barrel installation, installation of cigarette butt litter cans throughout business districts, implementing low-impact development practices, spill kit distribution and a variety of educational activities.

Tie-ins with the Puget Sound regional stormwater pollution prevention campaign, Puget Sound Starts Here ( http://www.PugetSoundStartsHere.org ), are encouraged. Key messages in that campaign include proper pet waste disposal, natural yard care, preferred car washing methods and fixing leaky vehicles.

Application materials must be postmarked by May 14, 2010.

Make a Splash grants are meant 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 need to meet at least one of these goals.

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. This is the eighth round of grants for this program.

To find out more about the grant, past projects, tips or to download an application, go to http://www.cityoftacoma.org/makeasplash or call (253) 502-2126.