This Week's Updates:

• Clean Water Infrastructure Grants
• WQIP/EPG Deadline Approaching
• Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications
• Invasive Species Awareness Week

Grant Funding Available for Clean Water Infrastructure Projects

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that $275 million in grant funding is available to municipalities with infrastructure projects that protect or improve water quality and/or public health.  This funding, available through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program, is part of the Governor's historic $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017. 

Grant applications and additional information are available and must be submitted along with any required supporting documentation to:  NYSWaterGrants@efc.ny.gov by September 7, 2018. 

Reminder:  WQIP and EPG Application Deadline is July 27

Grant applications for the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program and the Engineering Planning Grant must be completed by July 27 at 4:00 PM.

These grants are part of the NYS Regional Economic Development Councils Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).

"Frequently Asked Questions" for these grant programs are on DEC's website (WQIP FAQs/EPG FAQs) and are updated regularly.  As the request for applications indicates, questions should be submitted to user.water@dec.ny.gov no later than July 13.  

Reminder: Funding Available for Actions Identified in Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plans

Last month Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the release of 12 tailored action plans to address the causes of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in priority waterbodies across upstate New York.  The action plans outline specific projects and programs to be implemented at priority lakes, and also identify strategies that can be taken at waterbodies statewide to reduce the threat of HABs.  Note that some of the available funding for these activities, including the WQIP program, is part of the 2018 Consolidated Funding Application that closes July 27.   

Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications

New waterbodies with harmful algal blooms have been added today, July 6, to DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms Notifications webpage.

This week, 9 waterbodies were added to the notification list. There are currently 39 waterbodies with blooms on the list.

Know it. Avoid it. Report it.

Because waterbodies may have harmful algal blooms that have not been reported to DEC, we recommend avoiding contact with floating mats, scum and discolored water.

If you suspect you have seen a harmful algal bloom, or you, your family, or pet has been in contact with a harmful algal bloom, please follow the instructions for reporting a bloom to DEC.

Invasive Species Awareness Week

DEC and the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets are encouraging partners to get involved in raising public awareness about invasive species during Invasive Species Awareness Week from July 8-14. Invasive Species Awareness Week is an annual campaign to provide New Yorkers with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to protect the State's lands and waters from the negative impacts of invasive pests. This year's theme is "What YOU can do to help stop the spread.”