Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) - June Newsletter

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 06/11/2021 02:04 PM EDT
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Drinking Water Source Protection Program - June Newsletter

This issue's topics:

  • Grant Opportunities Now Available!
    • Consolidated Funding Application 
      • Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program
      • Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning Grant Program
      • Climate Smart Communities Grant Program
      • Engineering Planning Grant Program
  • New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee
    • Source Water Buffer Program 
    • Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program
  • Other Grant Programs

Grant Opportunities Now Available!

Great news for your community! The Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) is now accepting grant applications until 4:00 PM on July 30, 2021.The State’s largest funding opportunity collects multiple grant programs under the umbrella of a single application. A number of grants in the CFA protect water quality. 

The following grant programs, available through the CFA, offer funding that may provide just what you need to protect your source of drinking water. The grants are available for municipalities, not-for-profits, or other qualified groups to improve water quality and the environment. 
 
As a friendly reminder, please review the grant announcement and all associated materials thoroughly before submitting an application.
 

Consolidated Funding Application Grants

This year certain programs (e.g. WQIP Land Acquisition, Non-Agricultural Non-point Source Planning Grant) are now offering higher points for communities who are working within the critical area of their accepted DWSP2 Plan. Take a look at the project type scoring rubric to see if an accepted DWSP2 plan could get your community more points!

Water Quality Improvement Project Program

The Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program funds projects to address documented water quality impairments or protect a drinking water source. There are six eligible project types this Round ranging from a maximum award of $250,000 to $4,000,000. Click the project type below to learn more and apply!
 
Eligible project types include:
For full program details and requirements, including project type descriptions, view DEC's WQIP webpage.
Source Water Protection

Photo Credit: Jajean Rose-Burney

 Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning Grant Program

The Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG) funds 
planning reports for nonpoint source water quality improvement projects and mapping of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The program aims to get nonpoint source projects ready for construction, and to encourage and support cooperation among regulated MS4s to complete mapping of their stormwater system.
 
For full program details and requirements, including project type descriptions, view DEC's Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source webpage. 

Climate Smart Communities Grant Program

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program was established to provide grants to cities, towns, villages, and counties of the State of New York and boroughs of New York City for eligible climate change mitigation, adaptation, and planning and assessment projects. Funds are available for two broad project categories, implementation and certification. Implementation projects have a maximum award of $2 million and Certification projects have a maximum award of $100,000 and both have a required match of 50% of total eligible project costs. Eligible applicants are municipalities.
 
For information on what projects qualify as Implementation or Certification, visit DEC’s Climate Smart Communities Grant Program webpage. 

Engineering Planning Grant Program

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), in conjunction with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), is offering grants to municipalities to help pay for the initial planning of eligible Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) water quality projects. Up to $2.5 million has been made available for this round of the Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) program. There is a maximum award of $100,000 for projects with a required match of 20% of the requested grant amount. Eligible applicants are municipalities that meet certain median household income criteria.
 
For full program details and requirements, view EFC’s Engineering Planning Grant Program webpage. 

Green Innovation Grant Program

The Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) supports projects across New York State that utilize unique stormwater infrastructure design and create cutting-edge green technologies to mitigate the effects of climate change through the implementation of one or more of the following green practices: Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Energy Efficiency, and Water Efficiency. The GIGP will provide up to $15 million in grant on a competitive basis to projects. Eligible applicants are Municipalities, Private Entities, State Agencies, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
 
For full program details and requirements, view EFC’s Green Innovation Grant Program webpage. 

Don't Forget!

The Framework includes information on over 20 funding sources that can be utilized to aid with the implementation of your Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2). 

New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee Funding

Source Water Buffer Program

The goal of the Source Water Buffer Program is to protect public drinking water and to enhance water quality protection. The Program funds the purchase of conservation easements and the implementation of buffer systems, which filter surface runoff or shallow groundwater to protect the water quality of New York State's aquifers, watersheds, reservoirs, lakes, rivers, and streams. Approximately $5 million is available for conservation projects with a required match of 25% of total eligible costs. Soil and Water Conservation Districts are eligible to apply. 
 
For more information and requirements, visit Ag & Markets Source Water Buffer Program webpage.

Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program

Funds are available for nonpoint source abatement and control projects that plan (AEM Tier III) or implement (AEM Tier IV) Agricultural Best Management Practice Systems on New York State farms. Approximately $13 million is available for competitive projects with a required match that ranges from 12.5% – 25%. Eligible applicants are Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
 
Proposals for funding must be submitted through the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee SharePoint Site by 4:30 p.m. on June 28, 2021. 
 
For full program details and requirements, view Ag & Market’s Agricultural Non-point Source Abatement and Control webpage. 

Other Grant Programs 

Where can I find open grant programs?

The Framework includes several funding sources to aid with source water protection efforts. Below is a list of the funding sources included in the Framework that are currently accepting applications:
In addition to the Framework, the webpages below are a great resource for you and your community to find available grant programs to protect your drinking water. We encourage you to periodically check these webpages and take advantage of any available funding. 
Another great way to stay up to date is to sign up for newsletters that often include these grant announcements such as MakingWaves and the DWSP2 Newsletter.  

Share Your Thoughts

Have you begun this process? Or, do you have a program or are aware of a program relevant to source water? Send in any helpful hints or information at source.water@dec.ny.gov and we may highlight them!

Sign Up

To sign-up for the DWSP2 newsletter, visit the DWSP2 webpage or click here. 

Newsletter Archive

Missed last month's edition? Visit the DWSP2 Newsletter Archive to stay up to date.