The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced $6.4 million in matching grants is available to help communities reduce flooding, control stormwater, and strengthen Rhode Island's climate resilience. A Request for Proposals is now open – with a deadline of June 30, 2017.
Proposals are being solicited for
three categories of grants:
Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement Projects
$400,000 Available Projects that address indirect (or 'nonpoint') sources of pollution and improve water quality/aquatic habitat.
Projects in five targeted geographic areas are eligible for funding, including Bristol-Kickemuit River watershed, Barrington-Palmer-Warren Rivers watershed, Aquidneck Island watershed, Nonquit Pond watershed, and Wood-Pawcatuck watershed.
Stormwater Pollution Abatement Projects
$3 Million Available Projects that improve
stormwater management and abate stormwater pollution. Collaborative projects
that incorporate green infrastructure on a watershed basis, capital projects
that strengthen local stormwater management programs, and projects that
implement a Best Management Practice identified through an approved stormwater
management plan or restoration plan are encouraged. Grants will provide 50 to
75 percent of project costs.
Flood Prevention and Mitigation Projects
$3 Million Available Projects that
reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flooding in coastal or inland areas
and enhance natural ecosystem functions. Eligible projects include the
restoration of floodplains and stream banks, removal of impervious surfaces and
re-vegetation in flood-prone areas, culvert replacements, dam removals, and
projects that mitigate flooding risks to developed properties. Grants will
provide 50 to 75 percent of project costs.
Nonpoint source and stormwater
pollution are significant causes of poor water quality. Grant funding is made
possible via the 2014 Clean Water, Open Space, and Healthy Communities Bond ($3
million), the 2016 Green Economy Bond ($3 million), and the federal Clean Water
Act Section 319 program ($400,000).
Rhode Islanders consistently support
investments in environmental protection and overwhelmingly approved passage of
the $35 million Green Economy Bond last November.
The Bond funds improvements
to bikeways and other state and local recreational facilities; preservation of
open space; stormwater mitigation; and cleanup of former industrial
"brownfield" sites for redevelopment.
The first wave of Bond
investments, totaling $10 million, was announced earlier this year. Ten bikeway
projects around Rhode Island will create over 10 new miles of path and improve
safety and connectivity across the state's bikeway network.
The full 2017 Bay & Watershed Restoration
Grants - RFP is
available on DEM's website.
For more information or to apply for
these grant opportunities, contact Betsy Dake at betsy.dake@dem.ri.gov, or Jay
Manning at jay.manning@dem.ri.gov.
Electronic applications are encouraged;
however, proposals may also be mailed to the DEM Permit Application Center, 235
Promenade Street, Second Floor, Providence, RI 02908.
Final proposals and
supporting materials are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2017. Local,
state and regional governmental agencies, as well as public schools,
universities, businesses, and non-profit watershed, environmental or
conservation organizations, are eligible to apply.
For more information on DEM programs
and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely
updates.
