DEC Contact: Lori Severino (518) 402-8000 April 13, 2022
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DEC ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR HUDSON RIVER ESTUARY COMMUNITIESGrants will Enhance River Access, Education, and Natural Resources Protection |
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced $1.14 million in competitive grant funding is now available to help communities in the Hudson River Estuary watershed increase resiliency to flooding, protect water quality, fish, and wildlife habitat, and improve recreational access and education for all, including people with disabilities and New Yorkers living in communities historically and disproportionately overburdened by environmental pollution. Three types of grant opportunities are available through three Requests for Applications (RFAs): Local Stewardship Planning; River Access; and River Education. The deadline for all applications is June 1, 2022, at 3 p.m. These RFAs are only available online through the NYS Grants Gateway. The Grants Gateway is a web-based grant management system that streamlines how grants are administered by the State.
Hudson River Estuary Access Approximately $300,000 is available for projects to improve resiliency to flooding and sea-level rise and improve accessibility for people with disabilities at sites for boating, fishing, swimming, and/or wildlife-dependent recreation along the shores of the Hudson River Estuary, including the tidal portion of its tributaries. This funding may be used to develop plans or designs or to purchase equipment, and/or support the construction of physical improvements. The minimum grant award is $10,500, and the maximum grant amount is $75,000.
Approximately $240,000 is available to support projects to enhance education about the estuary along the tidal waters of the Hudson and to make opportunities to learn about the Hudson River Estuary more accessible. Funding may be used to design, equip, and/or construct educational facilities, as well as improve programs, materials, and visitor experiences. Funding may also be used to deliver environmental science and conservation education programs to support a paid environmental science research program for high school students, college students, and young adults focused on the Hudson River Estuary ecosystem. The goal is to provide an opportunity for people that may have barriers to otherwise accessing intensive research opportunities and help develop their skills in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). The minimum grant award is $10,500, and the maximum grant amount is $75,000. Additional points are given to projects in in communities historically and disproportionately overburdened by environmental pollution, known as Environmental Justice areas, and projects that support regional economic development strategies.
Local Stewardship Planning Approximately $600,000 is available for four categories of local projects and programs to support planning for:
The minimum grant award is $10,500 and the maximum award is $50,000. Additional points are given to projects in Environmental Justice areas and projects that support regional economic development strategies. Grants are administered by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program and funded by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Among the many environmental victories in the 2022-23 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul succeeded in enacting an increase in the EPF from $300 to $400 million, the highest-ever level of funding in the program's history. The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects our water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers. Now in its 20th year, the Estuary Grants Program implements priorities outlined in DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2021-2025. To date, the Hudson River Estuary Program has awarded 594 grants totaling $25.5 million. To view the Action Agenda and for complete details about the new grant funding, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5091.html on the DEC website. |
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