Hudson River Valley communities can now apply for $1.55 million in the Hudson River estuary watershed protection grants, according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The grants can be used for projects to increase resiliency to cope with flood events, protect water quality, conserve natural resources, and restore aquatic habitat.
The funding is provided through two Requests for Applications (RFAs) from DEC’s 2015 Hudson River Estuary Grants Program: ‘Tributary Restoration and Resiliency’ and ‘Local Stewardship Planning.’
The Tributary Restoration and Resiliency grants will help Hudson communities replace bridges or culverts to restore aquatic habitat in tributary streams of the estuary; improve stream flow; and reduce local flood-damage to protect homes and businesses.
The Local Stewardship Planning grants will fund planning projects to help communities improve infrastructure, protect water resources and conserve natural resources in the watershed.
These grants are provided through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and are administered under the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program. The minimum grant award is $5,000 and the maximum award is $50,000.
The DEC Hudson River Estuary Program 2015 Request for Applications (RFAs) and application forms for the Tributary Restoration and Resiliency Grants and the Local Stewardship Planning Grants are available online through the NYS Grants Gateway at www.grantsreform.ny.gov.
Both RFAs include detailed eligibility criteria, and requirements for geographic location, permits and municipal approvals. Additional points for both grants are given to projects in environmental justice areas and projects which support regional economic development strategies.
Completed grant applications must be submitted online by 2 p.m. June 15, 2015. Grant information and a link to the Estuary Action Agenda is also available on the DEC website.
For more information, visit dec.ny.gov.
source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation