New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced $350,000 in competitive funding is now available to help communities in the Finger Lakes watershed restore and protect water quality. The grants are supported by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and administered under DEC’s Finger Lakes Watershed Grants Program. 

“New York has made significant investments to improve water quality and our natural resources across the state. The grants announced today provide another boost to the Finger Lakes and their watershed communities,” said Commissioner Seggos. “This is the first round of an exciting new grant opportunity administered by the Finger Lakes Watershed Hub to support projects in the Finger Lakes.”

Grant awards ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 are available. All projects must have defined measurable project objectives, tasks, and deliverables that can be completed within a two-year contract term and are located within the geographic boundaries of the Finger Lakes watershed. Funding will be used to implement the following project types to restore and protect water quality: monitoring and research to better understand and address the issues and vulnerabilities facing the Finger Lakes; planning and implementation of best management practices; and education and outreach to increase understanding of Finger Lakes’ natural resources, build community involvement, and encourage future stewardship.

Round one of the Finger Lakes Watershed Grants Program Request for Applications (RFA) is available online through the New York State Grants Gateway at https://grantsgateway.ny.gov. The Grants Gateway is an online grants management system that streamlines the way grants are administered by New York State. All grant applications, including government entities and not-for-profit organizations, must be registered in the Grants Gateway to be eligible to apply for any state grant opportunity. Not-for-profit applicants are required to “prequalify” in the Grants Gateway system. Registration and prequalification forms are available online at https://grantsreform.ny.gov. 

Grant applications must be submitted online through the Grants Gateway no later than 3 p.m. on July 21, 2023.

The Finger Lakes watershed is the combined area of the 11 glacially formed Finger Lakes and their watersheds. The watershed is approximately 4,600 square miles, extending into all or parts of 13 counties, and includes three of the 10 largest lakes in New York State. The Finger Lakes watershed is contained within the Seneca-Oneida-Oswego and Genesee River drainage watersheds, which ultimately flow north to Lake Ontario.

For more information on the Finger Lakes Watershed Hub, geographic focus of the Grants Program, and more, visit DEC’s website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/122661.html. General questions about the Finger Lakes Watershed Grants Program may be directed to Aimee Clinkhammer, FLWP@dec.ny.gov. 

EPF

Among the many environmental victories in the enacted 2023-24 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders maintained the historically high level of $400 million in EPF funding. The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers.

New York's Commitment to Water Quality
New York continues to increase its investments in water infrastructure. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, the FY 2024 Budget includes an additional $500 million in water infrastructure funding, bringing New York's total water infrastructure investment to $5 billion since 2017. To leverage these investments and ensure ongoing coordination with local governments, the Governor proposed the creation of Community Assistance Teams to provide proactive outreach to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to help them access financial assistance to address their clean water infrastructure needs. The initiative was recently launched and outreach meetings are underway. Any community that needs help with their water infrastructure needs is encouraged to contact EFC at efc.ny.gov/CAT.

Voters approved the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act in November 2022, advancing additional, historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, preserve outdoor spaces and local farms, and ensure equity by investing at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of resources in disadvantaged communities.

During Earth Week, Governor Hochul announced the first availability of Bond Act funding that, when combined with existing state funding sources, totals $425 million being made available in state water grant funding. Applications are due by July 28 and more information can be found at https://efc.ny.gov/wiia. New York State is also hosting statewide and virtual listening sessions – including on June 8, 2023, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the State University of New York at Cortland to provide an opportunity for the public and potential funding applicants to learn more about the Bond Act, and for the community to weigh in on the draft eligibility guidelines being developed to identify potential projects. To attend or learn more about the Bond Act, go to www.ny.gov/BondAct.