Trump Administration Cancels $20M EPA Grant for Hampton’s Historic Aberdeen Gardens

Press Release

Norfolk, VA — Wetlands Watch and the City of Hampton are condemning a sudden move by the Trump administration to cancel a $20 million EPA grant dedicated to climate adaptation and flood resilience in the Aberdeen Gardens neighborhood in the City of Hampton. The grant, awarded in 2024, was set to fund urgently needed infrastructure improvements, safeguard community health, and strengthen long-term resilience in one of Virginia’s culturally significant communities.

“This action is unjust, unlawful, and needlessly places hundreds of residents at increased risk,” said Mary-Carson Stiff, Executive Director of Wetlands Watch. “Aberdeen Gardens was depending on these improvements. The loss of this funding jeopardizes community health, safety, and violates the federal government’s promise to support neighborhood-level infrastructure projects across Virginia.”

The administration claimed that the grant was “no longer consistent with EPA funding priorities” and referenced a vague and undefined policy of “merit, fairness, and excellence.” Wetlands Watch called the justification “spurious,” arguing that no meaningful rationale was provided, and characterized the move as politically motivated.

“For twenty-five years, Wetlands Watch has aligned its work with the EPA’s statutory mission,” said Stiff. “This reversal betrays these widely-held values, and threatens environmental progress nationwide.”

Wetlands Watch and the City of Hampton are exploring all options to appeal the surprise termination.

“This is not just about one grant,” Stiff said. “It’s about the principle that public commitments made to protect vulnerable communities cannot be violated according to political caprice. We intend to fight—and we are calling on our supporters and the public to stand with us.”