Title:   New York State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

Funding Agency:   NYS Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (EPF LWRP)

Funding Amount:   Up to $15 million for New York State Waterfront Revitalization

Description:       In 2011, as part of Governor Cuomo’s efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth, the governor created ten Regional Economic Development Councils (Regional Councils) and the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). The Regional Economic Development Councils developed strategic plans with advice from a broad spectrum of stakeholders taking into account the unique strengths and weaknesses of each region. The strategic plans serve as a 5-year road map guiding each region’s efforts to stimulate economic growth.

For 2012, the Regional Councils are focused on implementation of each region’s strategic plan and continue to identify and invest in significant economic development projects. The governor has directed approximately $750 million in state resources to be made available in 2012 to support economic development priorities of the strategic plans and job creation across the state. Of this, up to $530 million from state agency programs will be available to applicants through the CFA to support economic development projects that are in alignment with the Regional Council’s strategic plans.

As part of the governor’s directive, 2012 – 2013 applications are being solicited by the New York State Department of State through the CFA under Title 11 of the EPF LWRP from eligible villages, towns, cities and counties located along New York’s coasts or designated inland waterways in the following EPF LWRP grant categories:

• Preparing or Implementing Regional and Local Strategies for Community and  Waterfront Revitalization

• Redeveloping Hamlets, Downtowns and Urban Waterfronts

• Planning or Constructing Land and Water based Trails

• Preparing or Implementing a Watershed Management Plan

Within these grant categories, priority consideration will be given to proposals which advance the regional strategies developed by the ten Regional Economic Development Councils. This is a reimbursement program. State assistance awarded and paid shall not exceed 50% of the total eligible project costs set forth in the application and as approved by the New York State Department of State. Explicit demonstration of 50% match, within the application, is required. Failure to demonstrate this match (the amount, type and source) will result in the disqualification of the application.

Funding in the categories can be used to implement the South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan.

Eligible Applicants for 2012 – 2013 EPF LWRP grants:   villages, towns, cities and counties located along New York’s coasts or designated inland waterways

EPF LWRP Award Amount: Award amounts vary and require a 50 % match.

Deadline:  Applications are due by 4:00 PM on July 16, 2012 and must be submitted through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). To apply or to view application materials go to http://nyworks.ny.gov

For information on the CFA process and other state agency grant opportunities visit: https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/

For information on the New York State Department of State EPF LWRP 2012 – 2013 grant announcement visit: 

http://www.dos.ny.gov/communitieswaterfronts/grantOpportunities/epf_lwrpGrants.html

The Great South Bay Ecosystem-based Management Plan (Plan) has been completed and is now available to download. The Nature Conservancy prepared the Plan for the NYS Department of State to serve as a  guide for Ecosystem-based Management (EBM) planning in the Great South Bay.  The Plan was developed as part of a demonstration project pursuant to the 2006 New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act (Act).  The Act calls for an EBM approach to development and preservation activities in order to safeguard the health and sustainability of New York’s Ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems.

The Plan is an important tool in the efforts to amend the South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan and the New York State Coastal Management Plan.

Plan
Appendices

From January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010, New York State supported 94 projects in the SSER that are advancing state and regional priorities resulting in significant implementation of the SSER CMP for water quality protection, habitat restoration, and estuary-related economic support. Coupled with state agency technical assistance to local governments and SSER partners, these projects implement specific SSER CMP recommendations for watershed management plan development, water quality assessment, improved stormwater management, marine species restoration, maritime trail and signage development, historic building restoration and preservation, and shoreline erosion control. An additional 119 projects/activities supporting SSER CMP priorities were funded entirely by SSERC partners without state assistance. View Report

The Great South Bay Hard Clam Restoration Working Group, consisting of a multi-government, agency and stakeholder team, was convened in 2009. The Working Group fosters coordination and management of efforts to advance hard clam restoration by Suffolk County and the towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, Islip, as well as The Nature Conservancy. The final report of this group, containing the long term management recommendations for hard clam restoration in the Great South Bay, is now available in the reports section of their website. www.GSBclams.org

ClimAID Report Released

On November 17, 2011, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) released Responding to Climate Change in New York State: The ClimAID Integrated Assessment for Effective Climate Change Adaptation, prepared by Columbia University, the City University of New York, and Cornell University.  

The ClimAID assessment provides detailed information on climate change impacts and adaptation for eight sectors in New York State:  water resources, coastal zones, ecosystems, agriculture, energy, transportation, telecommunications and public health.  Climate trends and future projections were developed for seven regions across the state. 

The report can be downloaded at:    http://nyserda.ny.gov/Publications/Research-and-Development/Environmental/EMEP-Publications/Response-to-Climate-Change-in-New-York.aspx.

President Signs Executive Order
Stewardship of Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes

This project consisted of 5 components. These are 1) Massapequa Creek Watershed Management and Corridor Restoration Plan, 2) South Oyster Bay Hard Clam Population Study, 3) Waterfront Development Plan, 4) Estuary Public Use and Tourism Study, and 5) Open Space Preservation Plan. These reports address CMP goals to reduce nonpoint source pollution; increase harvest levels of hard clams and other estuarine shellfish species; protect and restore coastal habitats; preserve open space; increase public use of the estuary and expand tourism; and sustain water dependent use. All of the components to this project have been completed and approved by DOS and are available here.

Growth on one of the experimental oyster reefs in November 2010 showing from left to right: Placement of shell containing bags in relation to the marsh; Clutch of oysters bursting through their bags; One year oysters with quarter for size reference.

The Town of Hempstead is conducting a multi-year project to encourage the growth of oyster reefs in the Hempstead bays. The goal is to expand shellfishing opportunities, improve water quality, and reduce marsh erosion. As filter feeders, oysters improve water quality by taking in water and filtering it. The water they expel back into the bay is cleaner than the water they take in. Oyster reefs prevent marsh erosion by building up around marsh edges, which holds plants and sediment place. The project is supported by a grant awarded to the town by the New York Department of State through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund.

An application to declare the bays of the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve (Reserve) a Vessel No Discharge Zone (NDZ) under the federal Clean Water Act has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Planning and preparation for this action, included as recommendations of the Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan Chapter 7 Outcome 1-2 were key steps in the effort to reduce water quality impairments throughout the south shore bays and navigable waters of the Reserve. Led by the Baykeeper organization, the NDZ designation comes as the result of a two year effort. The significant accomplishment to realize the NDZ designation was the result of cooperation and successful partnerships between Reserve local governments state agencies, and diverse estuary stakeholder groups who shared a common goal of improving Reserve water quality.   

“As chairperson of the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Council, I applaud the work of the state agencies and the Peconic Baykeeper that led to the designation of the estuarine bays in the Reserve as a Vessel Waste No- Discharge Zone. The designation is a significant step towards a healthier ecosystem and cleaner water in the Reserve. It bolsters the investment and efforts of the New York State Department of State and its partners on the Reserve Council to improve the water quality of the South Shore bays and their tributaries, to protect the habitats for the bays’ aquatic species, and to enhance the region’s economy and maritime heritage.” said New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez.

The relatively calm waters of the Reserve support many commercial and recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and tourism. Boat wastewater discharges can impair water quality and wildlife habitat.  The Reserve NDZ designation will prohibit discharging of any wastes from marine sanitation devices into Reserve waters, and will encourage boater use of land based and/or mobile vessel pump-out facilities.

Information about Vessel No Discharge Zones.

Reserve pump out facilities

The SSER Office Has Moved.....