The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced approximately $770,000 in grant funding which was awarded for communities in the Hudson River Estuary.
The funding will go towards the design and planning of 18 projects that will increase resiliency to flooding, protect water-quality and conserve natural resources.
The following municipalities and organizations received grants:
Hudson River Shoreline Flooding Plans:
City of Kingston, $49,684 to convene a Sea Level Rise Implementation Learning Group to collaborate on implementing key actions of the Flooding Task Forces in the village of Piermont, village of Catskill, city of Kingston and the town of Stony Point.
Village of Catskill, $25,500 for a Hudson River Shoreline Flooding Plan including an analysis of potential changes to the village’s local zoning code to address resiliency issues.
The Nature Conservancy, $50,000 to continue a project to assist local communities to participate in the Hudson River Comprehensive Restoration Plan (HRCRP) process in the Hudson River Restoration Study Area from the Troy dam to the Piermont Marsh.
Flood Adaption Planning for Water and Waste Water Infrastructure:
Village of Catskill, $42,500 to complete a Risk and Engineering Review of the village of Catskill Wastewater System, and to implement recommendations from “Resilient Catskill Report of the Catskill Waterfront Resilience Task Force.”
Green Infrastructure Planning:
Albany Water Board (City of Albany Department of Water and Sewer), $50,000 for an Albany Pool Communities Feasibility Assessment for a Green Infrastructure Banking System. This project will create a tool box of options that one or more communities can rely on to encourage and promote the development of green infrastructure.
City of Yonkers, $50,000 to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the storm water system and green infrastructure strategies to reduce the burden on the system.
Siena College, $25,277 complete a green infrastructure planning report for the Patroon Creek Watershed.
Watershed Stewardship Planning:
Orange County Water Authority, $50,081 to develop a watershed management plan for the Monhagen Brook Watershed.
Riverkeeper, $49,999 to update two watershed management plans for the Wallkill River and the Rondout Creek.
Bard College, $44,779 to support the development of a science-based community stewardship Saw Kill Watershed Community Group focused on the management of the SawKill Watershed.
Hudson Valley Regional Council, $50,000 to develop regionally applicable educational materials, guidance documents and fact sheets about the legal, regulatory and policy issues pertaining to drinking water source protection, stormwater management, the maintenance and restoration of streams and riparian buffer protection and restoration.
Stream Restoration and Resiliency Planning:
Ulster County, $47,000 to develop a comprehensive culvert assessment that includes a GIS/modeling analysis and a field assessment and prioritization report for the county.
Town of New Castle, $50,000 to produce the information needed to undertake removal of the Upper Minkel Pond Dam and restore the natural stream channel and surrounding wetland.
Hudson River Shoreline Stabilization Plans:
Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, $41,650 to implement a Hudson River Shoreline Stabilization Plan to address ongoing erosion issues at a site on the outer bend of the Hudson River.
New York Restoration Project, $50,000 to develop a shoreline plan to guide the ongoing reclamation work at Sherman Creek Park.
Natural Resources Inventory and Planning:
City of Kingston, $22,000 to develop a natural resources inventory that will identify areas to protect, including water resources, habitats, wildlife and natural areas important for climate resilience.
Town of Rochester, $50,000 to assist the Towns of Rochester and Wawarsing to connect ecological and recreational assets for an open space plan.
Town of New Lebanon, $21,520 to develop a Natural Resources Conservation Plan with information from the New Lebanon Comprehensive Plan, Open Space Inventory and Estuary Program Habitat Summary.
DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program, a project of the NYS Environmental Protection Fund, helps people enjoy, protect and revitalize the Hudson River Estuary. Now in its 13th year, the Estuary Grants Program implements priorities outlined in the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda to achieve six key benefits: clean water; resilient communities; a vital estuarine ecosystem; conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitats; preservation of the river’s natural scenery; and enhanced opportunities for education, river access, recreation and inspiration.
source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation