MakingWaves - News from the Division of Water

This Week's Updates:

• WQIP, Nonpoint Source Planning Grant, and Engineering Planning Grants Awarded
• Water Infrastructure Improvement Grants Awarded
• DEC Releases Final Management Plan for Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Great Lakes Trash Free Waters Grants Available

WQIP, Nonpoint Source Planning Grant, and Engineering Planning Grants Awarded

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, as part of the Regional Economic Development Council Awards, announced $93 million for 85 Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grants that will improve water quality, reduce polluted runoff and restore waterbodies and aquatic habitats.

WQIP grants fund projects including municipal wastewater treatment, non-agricultural nonpoint source abatement, land acquisition for source water protection, salt storage, aquatic habitat restoration, and municipal separate storm sewer systems. A full list of awarded WQIP projects is available on DEC's WQIP web page.

NPG

Governor Cuomo announced $988,636 for 36 Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning Grant (NPG) projects to produce planning reports. The goal of the program is to get nonpoint source water quality improvement projects ready for construction and to use the planning report to seek funding through WQIP or other funding entities.

Planning projects funded through NPG include in-waterbody controls for nutrients, green infrastructure, culvert repair and replacement, decentralized wastewater treatment facilities, nature-based shoreline projects, and streambank stabilization. A full list of awarded NPG projects is available on DEC's NPG webpage.

EPG

Governor Cuomo announced $3 million for 80 Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) projects for the initial planning of eligible Clean Water State Revolving Funding water quality projects.

EPG provides funding to municipalities for engineering and/or consultant fees for engineering and planning services to produce an engineering report. A full list of EPG projects is available on the Environmental Facilities Corporation's EPG webpage.

 Water Infrastructure Improvement Grants Awarded

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that the state Environmental Facilities Corporation has awarded more than $416 million through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant program for projects that protect public health or improve water quality. An interactive map of the grant awardees is available on EFC's web page.

DEC Releases Final Management Plan for Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos recently announced the release of the Final Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan. The plan provides a foundation to help manage four federally designated and state-protected sites along 100 miles of the estuary. The 2019 Final Management Plan (PDF) is an update to the 2009 plan and will guide the management of the reserve for the next five years. 

Great Lakes Trash Free Waters Grants Available

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it is seeking applications under a newly developed Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant program focused on keeping trash out of the Great Lakes. Approximately $2 million is available through the Trash-Free Great Lakes program to fund up to 12 projects. The deadline for applications is February 14, 2020.