Environmental Restoration Program
Environmental Restoration Program 2019 Update
2019 Environmental Restoration Program Grant Opportunity
DEC anticipates inviting municipalities to apply for grants again this year to clean up municipally-owned brownfield sites. This opportunity may become available late in August or early in September. DEC will update the information on this page when the application period is set.
Eligible Applicants:
- Municipalities as defined by Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) §56-0502(5) and municipalities acting in partnership with community-based organizations as defined by ECL §56-0101(15).
Eligibility of Projects:
- Must have been the subject of an environmental investigation under the New York State Environmental Restoration Program, and
- Must have a DEC-issued Record of Decision (ROD) for the site. The project's purpose must be to implement the remedy described in the ROD or as subsequently modified based on new information per DER policy.
- The Municipality must own the property. Proof of ownership must be submitted with the application.
Minimum/Maximum Grant Amounts:
- Minimum grant amount will be $20,000; maximum grant amount will be $3,000,000.
Project Leads and Reimbursement Rates:
- Municipalities will be offered the choice to implement the cleanup remedy for their sites, or request that DEC take the lead.
- DEC will reimburse remediation design and construction costs as follows: on-site remediation tasks up to 90% reimbursement; demolition or asbestos removals, up to 50% reimbursement; and off-site remediation directed by DEC, up to 100% reimbursement. The Municipality will be responsible for at least 10% of on-site remedial costs and at least 50% for demolition or asbestos removal costs. No reimbursement from the Municipality will be required for off-site remediation directed by DEC.
Solicitation Profile:
- About $10 million is available for 2019 Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) Grants. DEC anticipates using primarily Hazardous Waste Cleanup Account Funding for these projects. DEC may potentially receive additional funding from other sources for qualifying projects. Should such funding become available, DEC reserves the right to award all available funding for scored and ranked projects, consistent with the method of award described in this grant opportunity.
- Interested municipalities would apply for an ERP grant by submitting an application through the NYS Grants Gateway. Paper applications will NOT be accepted. All Applicants must be Registered with Grants Gateway to submit an application. In addition to registration, not-for-profits must also be Prequalified at the time and date that the application is due. For more information about Grants Gateway and Prequalification, please visit the Grants Reform website (http://www.grantsreform.ny.gov/Grantees) .
Check this page periodically! DEC will provide updated information about evolving ERP program changes here. Significant news about the ERP also will be announced through DEC's Brownfield Programs Email Listserv (to subscribe, follow this link and check the "Brownfield Programs" box) .
First ERP Grant Turned Construction Junkyard into New Housing Community
The Former APCO property, site
of the first ERP project, was the
longtime dumping grounds for a
local contractor. Photos
courtesy of Rochester DEQ.
The site is surrounded by
residential properties. State and
local officials worked closely with
residents to solicit input on the
design of a new subdivision.
In the new housing community called
Newcroft Park, all lots sold quickly,
increasing the local tax base and raising
the value of surrounding homes.
