$3
million in new funding is available to improve municipal resilience
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today
that around $3 million in matching grants is available for climate resilience
projects throughout Rhode Island. A Request for Proposals (RFP, link at the end of this article) is now open, with a deadline of April 6, 2020, for projects by government and nonprofit groups that restore and improve the climate resilience of vulnerable coastal habitats, as well as river and stream floodplains and related habitats.
Funding
will be provided through the 2018 Green Economy and Clean Water Bond, which
Rhode Island voters approved by a margin of almost 80 percent.
Having pledged in her State of the State speech to continue to "address climate change with urgency," Governor Gina M. Raimondo proposed a $64 million Beach, Clean Water, and Green Bond initiative in the fiscal year 2021 budget. Raimondo's measure proposes funding a modernization of state parks and beaches, conservation of forests and farmland, and continued investments in clean water, drinking water, and the Municipal Resilience Program, which would further capitalize climate resilience projects.
Having pledged in her State of the State speech to continue to "address climate change with urgency," Governor Gina M. Raimondo proposed a $64 million Beach, Clean Water, and Green Bond initiative in the fiscal year 2021 budget. Raimondo's measure proposes funding a modernization of state parks and beaches, conservation of forests and farmland, and continued investments in clean water, drinking water, and the Municipal Resilience Program, which would further capitalize climate resilience projects.
"In
the past decade, Rhode Islanders have seen places we love eroded, flooded,
degraded, and lost due to impacts of climate change," said DEM Director
Janet Coit.
"We are excited that these grants will enable us to work with governmental and nonprofit entities to protect our treasured habitats and advance a healthier, more resilient Rhode Island. With critical funding that Rhode Islanders approved by supporting the 2018 Green Economy and Clean Water Bond, we are investing in our state to help ensure our communities are prepared for climate impacts now and in the future."
"We are excited that these grants will enable us to work with governmental and nonprofit entities to protect our treasured habitats and advance a healthier, more resilient Rhode Island. With critical funding that Rhode Islanders approved by supporting the 2018 Green Economy and Clean Water Bond, we are investing in our state to help ensure our communities are prepared for climate impacts now and in the future."
"The
Ocean State, through the leadership of Governor Raimondo, is accelerating
action and providing resources to strengthen our communities and natural areas
to the impacts of climate change," said Shaun O'Rourke, Rhode Island's
Chief Resilience Officer.
"Together, with our partners like DEM, we look forward to working with stakeholders from across the state to evaluate each of their unique vulnerabilities and support them with critical funds to make their priority projects a reality."
"Together, with our partners like DEM, we look forward to working with stakeholders from across the state to evaluate each of their unique vulnerabilities and support them with critical funds to make their priority projects a reality."
Climate change is causing extreme weather, inland and coastal flooding, and sea level rise – resulting in environmental and economic challenges for Rhode Islanders and around the world. Scientific modeling predicts that these impacts are expected to accelerate. Each of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns is vulnerable to climate change impacts, with infrastructure and natural systems at risk due to their location in riverine or coastal floodplains.
Already:
o
The sea level has risen over 10 inches at the Newport tide station since 1930.
o Annual precipitation rates are climbing an inch almost every 10 years. In 2018, RI experienced a record number of days with over 1 inch of rain.
o RI is the first state in the lower 48 where average annual temps have risen by over 2 degrees Celsius.
o Annual precipitation rates are climbing an inch almost every 10 years. In 2018, RI experienced a record number of days with over 1 inch of rain.
o RI is the first state in the lower 48 where average annual temps have risen by over 2 degrees Celsius.
DEM
is seeking grant proposals that will allow municipalities, other governmental
entities, and nonprofits to implement climate resilience projects for many
kinds of climate-driven challenges facing Rhode Island communities, inland and
coastal. Additional information about eligible projects and the required match
is available in the RFP.
A public workshop has been scheduled to discuss the RFP:
A public workshop has been scheduled to discuss the RFP:
Date:
Monday, March 2 Time: 2 PM Where: DEM Headquarters, Room 300 235 Promenade
Street, Providence RI
For
more information or to apply contact Elizabeth Stone
(elizabeth.stone@dem.ri.gov). Proposals should be mailed to the DEM Permit
Application Center, 235 Promenade Street, Second Floor, Providence, RI 02908
and emailed to elizabeth.stone@dem.ri.gov.
Final proposals and supporting materials are due by 4 PM on Monday, April 6, 2020. Governmental entities and non-profits are eligible to apply.
Final proposals and supporting materials are due by 4 PM on Monday, April 6, 2020. Governmental entities and non-profits 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.
Related
links
Department
or agency: Department
of Environmental Management