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New York Sea Grant, DEC announce $200,000 for Great Lakes Resilience Project grants

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Wed, Jul 12th 2017 12:25 pm
DEC: $25,000 grants will protect New York's Great Lakes, drive economic development
New York Sea Grant and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have announced the availability of up to $200,000 in grants for Great Lakes resilience projects. Up to $25,000 per project is available from the New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program administered by New York Sea Grant in partnership with DEC.
Eligible projects must use a complete ecosystem-based approach rather than a single issue or single species focus, incorporate stakeholder participation, and address key priorities in the New York Great Lakes Action Agenda to enhance community resiliency and ecosystem integrity through restoration, protection and improved resource management. Stated goals include conserving and restoring native fish and wildlife biodiversity and habitats to achieve and sustain resilient ecosystems and vibrant economies.
"These grants will support projects that will protect our environment and strengthen the economy of New York's Great Lakes Basin," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "Gov. Cuomo's historic investments in the Environmental Protection Fund are safeguarding New York's unmatched natural resources for future generations while driving economic development in Great Lakes communities. While there is uncertainty regarding the federal government's commitment to the Great Lakes, New York's commitment has never been stronger."
New York Sea Grant Associate Director and Cornell University Cooperative Extension Assistant Director Katherine Bunting-Howarth of Ithaca said, "This small grants program supports local stakeholder-driven projects that apply holistic approaches to meet pressing problems and opportunities for protecting our natural resources, environmental quality and economic development."
Not-for-profit organizations, county and local government or public agencies, municipalities, regional planning and environmental commissions, and educational institutions, including, but not limited to, public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities are eligible to apply.
New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program application instructions are online at http://www.nysgproposal.org. Webinars to help applicants will be available on July 19 and Aug. 16. Proposals must be submitted by Sept. 22, 2017. For more information or for webinar registration, call New York Sea Grant at 315-312-3042.
The New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program is funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and Article 14 of Environmental Conservation Law.
•Congressman Chris Collins applauded the release of the fiscal year 18 interior and environment appropriations bill that includes $300 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).
"The Great Lakes are the largest system of fresh water in the world, and it is our responsibility to make sure they are preserved for future generations to enjoy," Collins said. "I applaud the House Committee on Appropriations for recognizing the importance of the Great Lakes, which are a vital economic and environmental asset for Western New York."
The GLRI's projects focus on significant problems facing the Great Lakes and the biggest threats to the ecosystem. Current projects focus on:
  • Cleaning up Great Lakes "Areas of Concern"
  • Preventing and controlling invasive species
  • Reducing nutrient runoff that contributes to harmful/nuisance algal blooms
  • Restoring habitat to protect native species
"The GLRI has long-term, strategic goals and needs the certainty that funding will continue for such significant projects," Collins said. "I fully support all of the GLRI's hard work to tackle these challenges and protect our vast resource."
For more information on the GLRI, click HERE. For the subcommittee draft text of the legislation, click HERE.

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