REGIONAL PUBLIC COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERSTATE ORGANIZATIONS

Applications will be accepted through November 14, 2018 for funds to support Water Quality Management Planning activities as described in Section 604(b) of the federal Clean Water Act. Clean Water Act, Section 604(b) funding provides the financial source for states and territories to pursue water quality planning under Sections 205(j) and 303(e) of the Clean Water Act. This program authorizes the awarding of funds through the Environmental Protection Agency to states for water quality assessment and management planning grants. The 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act mandated that 40% of each state's award be granted, or "passed through", to Regional Public Comprehensive Planning Organizations (RPCPOs) and Interstate Organizations (IOs).

The Department anticipates receiving approximately $600,000 annually over the next four years in 604(b) funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the 40% pass-through allocation under 604(b). Actual amounts available for grants each year will depend on Congressional appropriations.

Funding is available for two programs: the Baseline Planning Program and the Statewide Planning Coordination Program. Under the Baseline Planning Program, grant funding will range between the minimum amount of $15,000 up to the maximum amount of $100,000, and requires a 10% match of the award amount by the applicant. For the Statewide Planning Coordination Program, applicants may request between the minimum amount of $15,000, up to the maximum amount of $25,000 per year. Grant funding for the Statewide Planning Coordination will provide 100% of approved program costs and does not require a local match.

Grant application information is also available on the Department’s website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/53122.html. Applicant questions related to this grant opportunity will be accepted continuously and posted on the Department's website until October 31, 2018.

Applications must be completed and submitted through the New York State Grants Gateway Grant Opportunity Portal (https://grantsgateway.ny.gov).