Deadline is May 8
PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management
announces the availability of grant funding to aid projects that control
aquatic invasive plants in freshwater lakes and ponds.This is the second year of a DEM initiative to provide financial assistance using proceeds of a state environmental bond approved by voters in 2012 that provided a continuation of funding for the Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration Fund Program.
It is a competitive solicitation that will lead to the award
of grants to assist with implementation of projects to effectively reduce,
control and manage the growth of aquatic invasive plants in order to restore
habitat conditions and enhance other beneficial uses of lakes and ponds
including public recreation.
"Rhode Island’s lakes are vital to our environment and
our economy - as places that support popular public outdoor recreational
activities and draw many visitors to our state."
Grants will provide reimbursement for up to 50 percent of the project costs to control and manage invasive species consistent with a management plan.
Grants will provide reimbursement for up to 50 percent of the project costs to control and manage invasive species consistent with a management plan.
Grants may be awarded to eligible project sponsors such as
lake associations, watershed councils, municipalities, state, local and
regional government agencies as well as nonprofit agencies with appropriate
administrative capacity.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to mechanical
control actions and herbicide applications. The deadline for submitting
proposals is Friday May 8, 2015.
Aquatic invasive species are non-native plants and animals that have been introduced either accidentally or intentionally into lakes or ponds where their voracious growth can cause problematic conditions in our local waters.
Aquatic invasive species are non-native plants and animals that have been introduced either accidentally or intentionally into lakes or ponds where their voracious growth can cause problematic conditions in our local waters.
DEM has found at least one or more invasive plant in 88 lakes
throughout the state.
Invasive aquatic plants often out-compete native species and
because they have no natural predators and can easily reproduce, they grow
rapidly and unchecked into dense beds of vegetation that degrade lake
conditions.
Aquatic invasive species threaten the diversity or abundance
of native species, alter fish and wildlife habitat, disrupt local food webs,
and can cause declines in water quality.
Excessive growth of aquatic invasive plants often interferes
with recreational water activities such as swimming, paddling, boating and
fishing, and they present a significant management concern because of their
ecological and socio-economic costs.
More information on this funding opportunity, including the RFP and application form, is available on DEM website at www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/finance/pdf/invplrfp.pdf. Materials are also available at DEM's Office of Water Resources at 235 Promenade Street in Providence, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For questions, call DEM's Office of Water Resources at 401-222-4700 and speak with Katie DeGoosh at ext.7211 or Sue Kiernan at ext.7600.
More information on this funding opportunity, including the RFP and application form, is available on DEM website at www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/finance/pdf/invplrfp.pdf. Materials are also available at DEM's Office of Water Resources at 235 Promenade Street in Providence, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For questions, call DEM's Office of Water Resources at 401-222-4700 and speak with Katie DeGoosh at ext.7211 or Sue Kiernan at ext.7600.
