Friday, April 19, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
The state is offering $2 million in grants for projects to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in New York waterways including the St. Lawrence River and Adirondack and St. Lawrence County …
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The state is offering $2 million in grants for projects to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in New York waterways including the St. Lawrence River and Adirondack and St. Lawrence County rivers, lakes and ponds.
The New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) is providing grants from a minimum of $25,000 up to a maximum of $100,000. A 25-percent match is required. For a full list of eligible and ineligible forms of match, view the Request for Application (RFA) at http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/103921.html.
New York is particularly vulnerable to AIS due to the frequency in which ocean-going vessels travel on the St. Lawrence through the Great Lakes. Once established, AIS such as zebra mussels and spiny waterflea can spread easily to other inland waterbodies through recreational boating and angling.
Strategically placed boat stewards help prevent the spread of AIS by educating boaters on how to properly remove and identify AIS and conducting voluntary boat and equipment inspections.
The pilot Adirondack AIS spread prevention program, initiated earlier this year, deployed boat stewards at 14 high priority sites and installed 11 new boat decontamination stations.
A recent study by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program found that if invasive species are allowed to spread, they could cost the Adirondack economy alone up to $900 million.
This includes annual losses in visitor spending, and agriculture and primary forest production value as well as losses in property value that will affect the tax base and borrowing ability for property owners on an ongoing basis.
The highest scoring projects will have a statewide or regional focus rather than a local focus, involve multiple partners and stakeholders. Grants will be awarded to applicants who clearly demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skill to successfully complete the project. Priority will be given to projects located on or in close proximity to waterbodies where the shoreline is 50 percent or higher in public ownership. Targeted waterbodies must be located wholly within New York State.
The deadline for grant application is January 29, 2016. DEC anticipates announcing grant awards in April 2016. Applicants can apply for the grant through the Consolidated Funding Application website.
