CONTACTS: Mike Smith, Contact for National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 703-623-3834; Dave Deegan, US Environmental Protection Agency, 617-918-1017
Old Field, NY, Sept. 24 – Top federal and state environmental officials today announced 35 grants totaling $1.6 million to state and local government and community groups in New York and Connecticut to improve the health of Long Island Sound. The projects, which are funded through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, will open up 50 river miles for passage of fish, and restore 390 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat including lakes, underwater grasses, woodlands, meadows, wetlands, beaches and rivers and parks along the waterfront. Twenty grants totaling $757,922 will be awarded to groups in Connecticut leveraged by $1.4 million from the grantees themselves.
This public-private grant program pools funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Wells Fargo.
“Protecting and restoring Long Island Sound have long been priorities for EPA,” said EPA Regional Administrator for New England Curt Spalding. “These grants will support vital and diverse projects throughout the region to improve water quality and remove pollution from the Long Island Sound watershed, and involve the public in the protection of one of the nation’s most important natural treasures.”
“One of the greatest environmental challenges facing our communities is the protection and restoration of estuaries,” said David O’Neill, Director, Eastern Partnership Office, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “The funding awarded today represents the Foundation’s continuing commitment, as well as the commitment of our federal and state partners, to further restoration efforts aimed at improving the overall health of the Long Island Sound.”
The Long Island Sound Study initiated the Long Island Sound Futures Fund in 2005 through the EPA’s Long Island Sound Office and NFWF. To date, the program has invested $10.5 million in 261 projects in communities surrounding the Sound. With grantee match of $23 million, the Long Island Sound Futures Fund has generated a total of almost $33.5 million for projects in both states.
“I am pleased to see funding go to projects that engage local communities in the protection and restoration of local fish and wildlife habitats,” said Northeast Regional Director Wendi Weber of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Equally exciting are the partnerships with public and private landowners that will increase our ability to work effectively on the ground in the Long Island Sound area. These grants go directly to protecting our shared natural resources—from opening rivers for native fish and restoring habitat for songbirds and shorebirds, to educating children who are the future stewards of the Sound.”
Jay Mar, Connecticut State Conservationist, NRCS, added, “This year’s funding of projects to engage farmers and land managers throughout communities in the watershed will help accomplish important wildlife goals through the New England Cottontail Initiative, and manure management advances to improve ecological and economic health of the Sound.”
“Connecticut DEEP is pleased to work with our partners in the Long Island Sound Study to preserve and protect Long Island Sound – one of the region’s most valuable natural resources,” said Brian Thompson, Director of Long Island Sound Programs. “This year $757,922 in Long Island Sound Futures Funds grants are being awarded to 20 important Connecticut programs. The grant funding covers a wide range of projects including restoration of fish habitat, removal of invasive plants, restoring New England Cottontail Rabbit population, preparation of significant management plans, and implementation of educational programs that will protect Long Island Sound for future generations.”
Long Island Sound is an estuary that provides economic and recreational benefits to millions of people, while also providing habitat for more than 1,200 invertebrates, 170 species of fish, and dozens of species of migratory birds. The Long Island Sound Study, developed under the EPA’s National Estuary Program, is a cooperative effort between the EPA and the states of Connecticut and New York to protect and restore the Sound and its ecosystem. To learn more about the LISS, visit www.longislandsoundstudy.net. For full descriptions of the Long Island Sound Futures Fund Grants, visit http://longislandsoundstudy.net/about/grants/lis-futures-fund/.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, established by Congress in 1984, is an international leader in developing public and private funding to protect wildlife and natural resources. In 26 years, NFWF has funded 4,000 organizations and leveraged $576 million in federal funds into $2 billion for conservation. The achievement of clear, measurable results is central to its work. The foundation brings together diverse stakeholders—from industry to Congress to local leaders—to accomplish positive outcomes. NFWF currently works with 14 federal partners and more than 50 corporate and foundation partners. To learn more about NFWF, visit www.nfwf.org.
(project descriptions are in the grants section of the website.)
HABITAT RESTORATION AND SPECIES CONSERVATION GRANTS
Fish Passage on the Farmington River, Farmington and Pequabuck Rivers Farmington River Watershed Association LISFF Grant (EPA and FWS): $65,800 Grantee Matching Funds: $560,000
Roger’s Lake Fish Passage: Last Barrier to Alewive Run, Old Lyme Connecticut River Watershed Council LISFF Grant (EPA and FWS): $85,777.50 Grantee Matching Funds: $85,528
Calf Island Forest Restoration and Invasives Control, Greenwich Calf Island Conservancy LISFF Grant (EPA and FWS): $22,000 Grantee Matching Funds: $27,771
Restoring Coastal Forest and Habitat for New England Cottontail, Stonington Avalonia Land Conservancy LISFF Grant (FWS and NRCS): $25,670 Grantee Matching Funds: $30,950
CLEAN WATER GRANTS
Nutrient Bioextraction by Seaweed in Long Island Sound, NY and CT University of Connecticut LISFF Grant (EPA): $157,447.67 Grantee Matching Funds: $286,143
Manure Digestion on Dairy Farm to Reduce Nitrogen and Phosperus Pollution, East Canaan Connecticut Farm Bureau Association LISFF Grant (EPA and NRCS): $91,000 Grantee Matching Funds: $45,000
EDUCATION GRANTS
Urban Schoolyard Habitat Partnership, New Haven and Stamford Audubon Connecticut LISFF Grant (EPA and FWS): $34,757.16 Grantee Matching Funds: $104,837
Establishing a NOFA Organic Lawn Care Certificate Program Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut LISFF Grant (EPA): $32,000.81 Grantee Matching Funds: $32,633
Long Island Sound Curricula Outreach to CT’s Inner Cities, Norwich, New London, and New Haven Sea Research Foundation LISFF Grant (EPA): $30,603.20 Grantee Matching Funds: $31,743
Project Limulus: A Community Outreach and Education Program, NY and CT Sacred Heart University LISFF Grant (EPA): $24,730 Grantee Matching Funds: $63,148
Sheffield Island Park Interpretive Signage Project, Norwalk Norwalk Seaport Association LISFF Grant (EPA): $9,525 Grantee Matching Funds: $5,365
Norwich Harbor Canoe and Kayak Trail, Norwich City of Norwich Harbor Management Commission LISFF Grant (EPA): $8,130 Grantee Matching Funds: $4,530
Connecticut River Museum Environmental Education Programs, Essex Connecticut River Museum LISFF Grant (EPA): $7,226 Grantee Matching Funds: $15,570
Estuary Health Program, Mystic Aquarium Sea Research Foundation LISFF Grant (EPA): $7,110.50 Grantee Matching Funds: $6,678
Connecticut River Coastal Estuary Cleanup and Education, Connecticut River Watershed Council LISFF Grant (EPA): $4,485 Grantee Matching Funds: $5,220
Mianus River Streambank Restoration: Native Species, Stamford Friends of Mianus River Park LISFF Grant (EPA): $3,000 Grantee Matching Funds: $3,000
PLANNING GRANTS
Pond Lily Dam Removal Project: Design and Permitting, New Haven The Connecticut Fund for the Environment LISFF Grant (EPA and FWS): $60,000 Grantee Matching Funds: $57,037
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area Plan, Stonington State of Connecticut LISFF Grant (EPA): $23,999 Grantee Matching Funds: $15,851
Norton Paper Mill Dam Fish Passage Assessment, Colchester The Nature Conservancy LISFF Grant (EPA and FWS): $40,000.45 Grantee Matching Funds: $21,044
WATER QUALITY MONITORING GRANTS
Water Quality Project To Manage Pollution Problems, Stonington Clean Up Stonington Harbors LISFF Grant (EPA): $24,659 Grantee Matching Funds: $22,675
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