Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

March 23, 2006

DEC Contact: Gabrielle DeMarco (518) 402-8000
OPRHP Contact: Wendy Gibson (518) 486-1868
DOS Contact: Laurence Sombke (518) 486-9846

State Accepting Application For Environmental Grants

Series of Statewide Public Meetings Scheduled to Begin March 27, 2006

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan, State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Commissioner Bernadette Castro and Department of State (DOS) Acting Secretary of State Frank P. Milano 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 community environmental projects.

Each year, DEC, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and the New York State Department of State (DOS) collaborate to present public informational workshops on the availability of various State and federal grant programs that are currently accepting applications. This year, these workshops will also include representatives from the Water and Sewer Infrastructure Co-funding Initiative which coordinates federal and state funding for drinking water and sewer projects to facilitate and optimize funding opportunities from a variety of programs.

Workshops will be held across the State from March 27, 2006 through April 11, 2006. Staff from each agency will be available at these meetings to explain application procedures and project requirements. This year, many grant programs will give consideration to projects that enhance the legacy of the Lake Champlain and Hudson River water corridors, which will be highlighted as part of the upcoming Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial that will be held in the year 2009.

Letters describing the workshops and the grant programs were sent to municipalities, not-for-profit organizations and other interested parties in February 2006 to inform them of the upcoming workshops. There is no fee or pre-registration for these workshops.

Since 1995, the EPF and the Bond Act combined have provided nearly $2.9 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.

The Governor's Executive Budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2006-07 increases EPF funding to $180 million to support critical environmental projects. The EPF alone has provided nearly $1.3 billion in State assistance for more than 4,700 projects to protect and enhance the quality of New York's natural resources through public involvement and education, resource management, and scientific research.

Grant applications and guidance documents have been developed for the following programs: Park, Historic Preservation and Heritage Areas System Grant Programs administered by OPRHP; Environmental Restoration Program administered by DEC; Hudson River Estuary Grant Program administered by DEC; Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BOA) Program administered jointly by DEC and DOS; and Local Waterfront Revitalization and Quality Communities Programs administered by DOS.

A list of times and locations for the meetings are as follows:

• Elmira: March 27, 2006, 1-3 p.m., Community Rooms at Park Church, 208 West Gray Street;
• Salamanca: March 28, 2006, 1-3 p.m., Allegany State Park's Camp Allegany facility, Bova Road off ASP Rt. 2;
• Lancaster: March 29, 2006, 1-3 p.m., Village of Lancaster Municipal Building, 5423 Broadway;
• Penfield: March 30, 2006, 1-3 p.m., Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Road;
• Syracuse: March 31, 2006, 1-3 p.m., State Fairgrounds Arts and Home Center, State Fair Boulevard;
• Oyster Bay: April 3, 2006, 1-3 p.m., Planting Fields Arboretum, Horticultural Center Building, Planting Fields Road;
• New York City: April 4, 2006, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m., Henry Street Settlement Playhouse and Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand Street (at Pitt Street), Lower East Side, Manhattan;
• White Plains: April 5, 2006, 1-3 p.m., Pace University, Evelyn and Joseph I. Lubin Graduate Center, 1 Martine Avenue;
• Poughkeepsie: April 6, 2006, 2-4 p.m., Locust Grove, The Samuel Morse Historic Site, 2683 South Road (Route 9);
• Saratoga Springs: April 10, 2006, 1-3 p.m., Saratoga Spa State Park, Administration Building; and
• Ogdensburg: April 11, 2006, 1-3 p.m., Frederic Remington Art Museum, 303 Washington Street.