Nonpoint Source Funding
DEM Announces Award of Close to $4 Million in Grants for Water Quality Protection and Restoration
The Department of Environmental Management announces the award of close to $4 million in state and federal grants to 27 entities for projects to restore water quality and abate nonpoint source pollution in a number of locales throughout the state. The funds target restoring impaired waters and improving local capacity to more effectively mitigate the impacts of stormwater management.
The bulk of the grant funds, over $3.2 million, is from the state's $70 million Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration Bond proposed in 2004 by Governor Donald L. Carcieri and passed by the voters for watershed and drinking water protection, open space preservation, and recreation. Additional funding of just over $760,000 comes from federal Clean Water Act Section 319 grants provided by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. All grants require a 40 to 50 percent match. A total of 57 proposals were received, with some applicants requesting support from both funding sources.
"The projects funded by these grants will assist us in our collective mission to better protect Narragansett Bay and its watershed and enhance the quality of life for our residents," Governor Carcieri said. "We are making great strides in improving the health of the Bay, and these awards represent another big step forward."
W. Michael Sullivan, DEM Director, called the grants a reflection of the state's commitment to working in partnership with EPA, municipalities, community organizations, and businesses to address water quality problems effectively, and said, "I commend all who have been chosen to receive these grants for their commitment in time and resources toward water quality improvements that will benefit all Rhode Islanders."
Among projects chosen for funding are several that support DEM water quality restoration plans (also known as TMDLs, or total maximum daily loads) for best management practices in the Narrow River, Greenwich Bay, Saugatucket River and Hunt River watersheds. Others will lead to the design and/or construction of best management practices in several other watersheds, help complete restoration of 40 acres of coastal habitat at Town Pond marsh in Portsmouth, support incorporating green roof elements into two redevelopment projects in Providence, expand the capacity to improve local stormwater management in six communities, construct four covered salt storage shed facilities, and support illicit detection work in nine local stormwater programs, including further evaluation of impacts to Scarborough Beach.
See accompanying list of Water Quality Protection and Restoration Grants.
FUTURE FUNDING
DEM expects to announce the availability of the next round of federal and state funds for the control of nonpoint sources of pollution this summer. Details will be available on this page.
Contact:
NPS
Betsy Dake, Senior Environmental Planner
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Office of Water Resources
235 Promenade St.
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-4700 ext. 7230
BWRF
Jay Manning, P.E., Principal Sanitary Engineer
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Office of Water Resources
235 Promenade St.
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-4700 ext. 7254
The RFP is also discussed on the Office of Purchasing website at: http://www.purchasing.state.ri.us
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Summary of RI Municipal Onsite Wastewater Programs
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Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration Bond Fund Regulations
Model Grant Proposals
Nonpoint Source Grant Program Quality Assurance Project Plan
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