In partnership with New York Sea Grant, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced $192,000 in grants for nine projects that will help Great Lakes coastal communities enhance their resiliency and protect water quality.
“ Improving water quality is essential to enhancing coastal resiliency and the local economies in the Great Lakes region that depend on clean and healthy waterways ,” said Commissioner Seggos . “ These grants advance local solutions to build stronger, more resilient communities in the face of climate change and ensure that water quality is protected for people, fish and wildlife, and I look forward to watching these innovative projects move forward. ”
“ New York Sea Grant is pleased to administer these awards and work with the recipients to ensure that the results, products, and lessons learned are shared with all of our Great Lakes communities and stakeholders ,” said New York Sea Grant Associate Director Katherine E. Bunting-Howarth.
Coastal and inland communities throughout New York’s Great Lakes region are vulnerable to impacts of storm surge, flooding, shoreline erosion, excessive nutrient loads, harmful algal blooms and many other challenges related to community resiliency and water quality.
To address these risks, and improve resiliency and water quality in the Great Lakes region, grants will be awarded to the following organizations: City of Rochester, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, University at Buffalo, Onondaga Environmental Institute, Finger Lakes Institute, Clarkson University, Center for Transformative Action and Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program.