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April 24, 2014
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Governor Cuomo Announces Funding To Improve Resiliency, Access and Environmental Protections For Hudson River Estuary |
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In recognition of Earth Week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that more than $621,500 in grant funding is available for priority projects to help communities along the Hudson River Estuary improve resiliency, protect water quality and environmental sustainability, and provide access to the tidal waters of the Hudson for recreation and education. The grants support Governor Cuomo’s strategy to reimagine New York for the new reality of extreme weather by transforming the State’s infrastructure and coastal protection systems to better protect New Yorkers. “Now more than ever, we must prepare for the new reality of extreme weather,” Governor Cuomo said. “These grants will help local partners better protect water quality, riverfront access and the safety of coastal communities in the Hudson River corridor. I encourage all interested parties to apply for this funding so that they can join the State in building a stronger and more resilient New York.” The grants will be provided through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and the Natural Resource Damages Fund (NRD) and are administered under the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Hudson River Estuary Program. “DEC is pleased to support projects which help people enjoy, protect and revitalize the Hudson River estuary and its valley,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “These grants enable local partners to join with us in achieving regional goals for the Hudson River environment. To date, the Hudson River Estuary Program has awarded 388 grants totaling $12.8 million. In addition, DEC is committed to making the grant contracting process as smooth as possible through the new NYS Grants Gateway.” Now in its twelfth year, the Estuary Grant Program implements priorities outlined in DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda aimed at conserving and improving clean water; fish, wildlife and their habitats; waterway access; the resiliency of communities; and river scenery. Action Agenda Partnership Grants ($150,000) – Funding is available from the state Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for projects that implement Action Agenda goals on the Hudson estuary. Action Agenda grant projects are capped at $10,000. The Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda can be viewed here. Estuary Access Grants ($350,000) – EPF funding is available for projects that provide direct access to the tidal waters of the Hudson River for boating, swimming, fishing, or education, including projects which improve access for persons with disabilities. Estuary Access Grants are capped at $50,000. Barrier Removal Grants ($121,500) – Natural Resource Damages (NRD) funding is available to design or implement projects that provide restoration of free flowing waters on tributaries of the Hudson River Estuary, including removal of dams and right-sizing of culverts. For all three categories of funding, priority is given to projects in environmental justice areas and projects which support regional economic development strategies. The DEC Hudson River Estuary Program 2014 Requests for Applications (RFAs) and application forms for the Action Agenda Partnership Grants, Estuary Access Grants, and Barrier Removal Grants are available online through the NYS Grants Gateway at www.grantsreform.ny.gov. The Grants Gateway is a web-based grants-management system that streamlines the way grants are administered by the State of New York. All grant applicants, including government agencies and not-for-profit corporations, must be registered in the NYS 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 can be completed online at www.grantsreform.ny.gov. Completed grant applications must be submitted online by close-of-business June 4, 2014. To browse all state agency grants available and anticipated grant opportunities please click here. Completed grant applications must be submitted online by close-of-business June 4, 2014. General questions about the Hudson River Estuary grants application process may be directed to Jill Shaw, DEC’s Estuary Grants Manager, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3504; (518) 402-8270; jashaw@gw.dec.state.ny.us. |
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