MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

• Marking 50 Years Since Hurricane Agnes Swept Through New York
• Application Deadline Approaches for CWSRF and DWSRF Eligible Projects
• Webinar on Green Innovation Grant and Engineering Planning Grant
• Reminder: DEC Grant Opportunities Available Now
• Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications
• Financing for NYC Department of Environmental Protection Projects

Marking 50 Years Since Hurricane Agnes Swept Through New York

This month marks the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Agnes, which ravaged the mid-Atlantic and northeast region in June 1972. At the time, it was the most destructive tropical cyclone in American history. Rainfall from Agnes caused catastrophic inland flooding, with an immense geographic scale. Agnes caused the loss of 128 lives and more than $3.1 billion in damages (in 1972 dollars), with the most severe impacts in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Virginia.

As we mark the 50th anniversary of Agnes and enter Atlantic hurricane season, DEC encourages you to learn more about your flood risk and take actions now to be prepared. To learn more about Agnes and lessons learned, visit the Silver Jackets Hurricane Agnes webpage. DEC is a contributing organization to the Silver Jackets partnership in New York. 

Application Deadline Approaches for CWSRF and DWSRF Eligible Projects 

Municipalities can apply for funds in support of Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for water pollution control and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) eligible projects for Federal Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. The CWSRF and DWSRF programs are available to municipalities and certain non-municipal entities in New York State to finance water quality and drinking water-related projects. Eligible projects for which the required items have been submitted by Friday, June 17, 2022, will be listed in the CWSRF and DWSRF 2023 Draft Intended Use Plans (IUP).

Funding is available from the CWSRF and DWSRF programs through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), a five-year program approved by Congress and signed by the President in November 2021.

New project listing forms and project updates will be accepted until June 17 from municipalities interested in competing for:

• FFY 2023 CWSRF Base funding
• FFY 2022 CWSRF BIL General Supplemental funding
• FFY 2022 CWSRF BIL Emerging Contaminants (EC) funding
• FFY 2023 DWSRF Base funding
• FFY 2022 DWSRF BIL General Supplemental funding

Find more information on NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation's website.

Webinar on Green Innovation Grant and Engineering Planning Grant

Join the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) for a webinar about the Green Innovation Grant and Engineering Planning Grant programs on June 15 at 10 a.m. These grant opportunities are available through the state's Consolidated Funding Application until July 29 at 4:00 p.m. Register to attend.

Reminder: DEC Grant Opportunities Available Now

The state's Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) is open until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022. A wide range of programs are available through ten state agencies, including DEC. DEC's grant programs offered in the CFA include Water Quality Improvement Projects (WQIP) Program, Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning, and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG), and Climate Smart Communities Grant Program (CSC).

New this year, these programs are not part of the Regional Economic Development Councils initiative and are considered "standalone CFA programs".

Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications

DEC’s harmful algal bloom (HABs) notification season has begun. The New York Harmful Algal Bloom System, or “NYHABS”, features an interactive map that is updated daily through the fall informing the public about HABs locations in New York. Instructions on how to use NYHABS are on DEC's HABs notification page.

Know it: HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water, to long, linear green streaks, pea soup, or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.

Avoid it: People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with floating mats, scums, and discolored water.

Report it: Report a suspected HAB using the NYHABS online reporting form. Report health concerns related to HABs to the Department of Health at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov, or contact your local health department.

Financing for NYC Department of Environmental Protection Projects

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) provided a $403,775,000 financing to the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority for projects undertaken by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). These projects will enhance DEP’s efforts to provide safe and reliable clean water systems. The funding closed in April 2022.

For the 2022 federal fiscal year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allotted New York State $127.7 million for wastewater and water quality-related projects under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $28.6 million for the State’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.