MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

• Navigating Grant Funding: Municipal Success Stories
• Deadline Approaches to Apply for Grants to Support High Hazard Dam Repairs
• POTW Annual Flow Certification Reporting
• Water Well Contractor Program Registration
• Reminder: N. G. Kaul Memorial Scholarship Application Period Open
• Hudson River Estuary Annual Trees for Tribs Program

Navigating Grant Funding: Municipal Success Stories

DEC and the NYS Association of Regional Councils are hosting a webinar on Wednesday, March 1 at 1 p.m. to highlight strategies used by municipalities of various sizes across New York State to secure grant funding. Municipalities will share information, such as how they access grant funds, what barriers they’ve had to overcome, lessons learned, the skill sets needed, and the key players necessary to access grant funding. 

Register to attend. 

Deadline Approaches to Apply for Grants to Support High Hazard Dam Repairs

Over $560,000 in grant funding is now available to assist eligible dam owners with infrastructure repair costs. Funding is provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) High Hazard Potential Dam grant program. DEC is accepting applications for grants to assist with technical, planning, design, and other pre-construction activities associated with the rehabilitation of eligible dams classified as High Hazard dams.

New York State's High Hazard dam classification refers to the potential for damage upon a dam's failure, not its likelihood of failure. A High Hazard (or Class C) dam is classified where failure may result in widespread or serious damage. New York State has 425 Class C dams.

The Request for Applications is available online through the New York State Grants Gateway. Apply by February 10, 2023. Learn more about the classification of dams and dam safety on DEC's Dam Safety webpage.

POTW Annual Flow Certification Reporting

DEC's Bureau of Water Compliance is now accepting the 2022 annual flow certification for the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Certification is required by March 28 each year for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) with State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permits. The form may be attached with the February 2023 Discharge Monitoring Report or completed online.

Contact annual flow certification program staff at 518-402-8168 with questions.

Water Well Contractor Program Registration

The DEC Water Well Contractor Program is currently accepting applications for the Certificate of Registration for the period April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024. The application and payment may be completed online. Registration is required by March 31 each year for all water well contractors who drill or repair water wells in New York State. The on-site contractor must be certified for the work that they are conducting (well drilling and/or pump installation).

A Preliminary Notice must be filed prior to drilling a well and a Water Well Completion Report must be filed upon completion of water well drilling. For additional information, contact Water Well Program staff at 877-472-2619 or NYSWaterWells@dec.ny.gov.

Reminder: N. G. Kaul Memorial Scholarship Application Period Open

Applications are being accepted for the N.G. Kaul Memorial Scholarship. In honor of a former Director of DEC's Division of Water, up to $5,000 in scholarships is available to students pursuing graduate or doctoral degrees in environmental/civil engineering or environmental science concentrating on water quality who show a commitment to government service.

Scholarship applications are available on the NY Water Environment Association Scholarship webpage. Applications are due by February 28 at 5 p.m.

Hudson River Estuary Annual Trees for Tribs Program

If you own or manage land along a tributary stream of the tidal Hudson River, you can now apply to receive free native plants to help reduce erosion and improve habitat along your stream. Plants are available for large projects (more than 60 plants) on both public and privately-owned lands. Hudson River Estuary staff can help you with a planting plan and work with your volunteers.

Apply by March 1 for a spring planting. For more information and to download an application, visit DEC's Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs website.