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For Release: Friday, April 23, 2004

State Accepting Applications for Environmental Grants

Series of Statewide Public Meetings Scheduled to Begin April 26

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today announced that applications are being accepted for proposed projects eligible for funding from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act (Bond Act), and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). These funding sources provide state assistance for many park and environmental programs.

"Under Governor Pataki's leadership, funding of these programs continues to provide opportunities for ongoing stewardship of our natural resources," Commissioner Crotty said. "New proposals are instrumental in continuing to enhance the quality of life in communities throughout New York State and DEC encourages additional proposals that will continue to protect wildlife, enhance natural resources, and promote the restoration of brownfields into new businesses."

State agencies responsible for implementing these programs will hold a series of public information meetings throughout the State beginning on Monday, April 26, 2004 to provide interested applicants with an opportunity to learn about program requirements and how to complete applications. This year's meetings will include workshops for the new Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BOA) Program and the enhanced Environmental Restoration Program (ERP), which were both made possible by the Superfund/Brownfield Law that was enacted in October 2003.

Since 1995, the EPF and the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act combined have provided more than $2.5 billion to help protect and restore the quality of New York's abundant natural resources, improve the State's environmental infrastructure, and expand opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the state's natural, cultural and historic resources. Communities across the state are implementing projects that promote both environmental protection and economic development.

Since 1995, the EPF alone has provided more than $1 billion in state assistance for more than 3,700 projects to protect and enhance the quality of New York's natural resources through public involvement and education, resource management, and scientific research. The Governor's Executive Budget for State Fiscal Year 2004-05 recommends an appropriation of $125 million from the EPF.

Grant applications and guidance documents have been developed for the following programs:

• Parks, Historic Preservation and Heritage Area Programs, administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation;
  
  
• Environmental Restoration Program; which is funded from the Bond Act, administered by the Department of Environmental Conservation;
  
  
• Hudson River Estuary Grant Program, administered by the Department of Environmental Conservation;
  
  
• Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BOA) Program; administered jointly by the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of State; and
  
  
• Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, administered by the Department of State.
  
  

Public information meetings for those interested in applying for grants will be held between April 26 and May 7, 2004. All meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the exception of the Long Island meeting in Oyster Bay which will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, an availability session will be held in all locations from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for the BOA and ERP programs only. A list of times and locations of the meetings is attached.

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