Governor Cuomo Announces $2 Million in Grants to Prevent Spread of Invasive Freshwater Species
EPF Awards Distributed to 24 Municipalities to Install Decontamination Stations and Educate Boaters on the Dangers of Invasive Species
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that over $2 million in grants
from the Environmental Protection Fund will be awarded to municipalities,
not-for-profits and higher educational programs for projects that will
help protect New York State’s waters from the spread of aquatic
invasive species. The projects, which range geographically from the Adirondacks
to the Finger Lakes and beyond, will focus on educating boaters on the
dangers of aquatic invasive species through the placement of boat stewards,
the installation of decontamination stations, and the uniform training
of boat stewards across the state.
“New York State is home to unparalleled natural beauty and we must
do everything we can to protect it from invasive aquatic predators,”
Governor Cuomo said. “This money will help safeguard lakes and rivers in every corner
of this state, protect local ecosystems, and ensure that visitors can
experience New York’s natural beauty and wonders for years to come.”
With over 7,600 freshwater lakes, ponds and reservoirs and 70,000 miles
of rivers, brooks and streams, New York State is particularly vulnerable
to the introduction of invasive species. Once established, aquatic invasive
species, such as spiny waterflea and Eurasian water milfoil, can rapidly
spread through connecting waterbodies or by “hitchhiking”
on the vessels of recreational boaters and anglers. These grants are an
important step in Governor Cuomo’s initiative to preserve New York’s
vast waterways from the danger aquatic invasive species can cause to the
environment, human health and the economy of a region.
“Aquatic invasive species are a significant threat to the environment
and economy of New York State, and these EPF grants will go far in reducing
their spread,”
said DEC Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Fostering partnerships and collaboration with local governments
and other partners are essential combat this urgent threat, and I look
forward watching these successful projects take off.”
The twenty-four projects awarded, which range from $36,000 to $100,000,
represent the first grants of the New York Aquatic Invasive Species Spread
Prevention Grant Program. These grants demonstrate DEC’s commitment
to implementing the recommendations of the recently updated
New York Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan (AISMP). Included among the top ten priority actions in the AISMP is expanding
boat steward programs and ensuring consistency of steward program delivery
throughout the state. Boat stewards help prevent the spread of aquatic
invasive species by delivering spread prevention education and outreach,
conducting courtesy boat and trailer inspections and showing boaters how
to inspect and remove plants and organisms from their boats, trailers
and other equipment.
To view the list of awardees please visit the following
link.
New York State Assembly Environmental Conservation Chair Steve Englebright said, “The best way to deal with aquatic invasive species and the ecological
damage they cause is to prevent their further spread into New York State’s
wealth of lakes, ponds and streams. The grants from this new program will
go far to help municipalities, not-for-profits and higher educational
institutions implement projects that will protect our State’s waters
from the spread of aquatic invasive species. I commend Governor Cuomo
and the NYS DEC for their efforts to implement the action-based recommendations
of the recently updated New York Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan.”
Proposed projects were scored on a series of criteria that assessed the
objectives, methods, impact, location, long term success and cost effectiveness
of a proposal. The program will complement existing aquatic invasive species
spread prevention initiatives already underway in New York State including
the Adirondack Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Pilot Program
(launched in 2015), which was responsible for the installation of 12 new
boat decontamination stations and the placement of boat stewards at 14
new locations within the Adirondack Park.
To learn more about aquatic invasive species and the threat they pose
to New York State please visit the following
link.