MakingWaves - Lake Champlain WIP; NBRC Grant; Disadvantaged Communities Criteria; Buffer in a Bag

DEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation View in browser MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water In This Issue: Comment Period on Draft Lake Champlain Watershed Implementation Plan Extended   Webinar on Northern Border Regional Commission 2023 Catalyst Program Grant Climate Justice Working Group Finalizes Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Deadline Approaches for Annual "Buffer in a Bag" Program Comment Period on Draft Lake Champlain Watershed Implementation Plan Extended   DEC has extended the public comment period on the draft Watershed Implementation Plan for Lake Champlain to April 5, 2023. The draft plan creates a detailed path forward to reduce phosphorus that impairs Lake Champlain and contributes to harmful algal blooms. The draft watershed implementation plan is available on DEC's website. Submit comments to waterlog@dec.ny.gov by April 5, 2023. For information about the Lake Champlain TMDL, visit DEC's Clean Water Plan webpage.  Webinar on Northern Border Regional Commission 2023 Catalyst Program Grant The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) will host a webinar for New York on Tuesday, April 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. about the 2023 Catalyst Program grant application opportunity. Register in advance to attend.  NBRC is a partnership between the federal government and the states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Its mission is to fund economic development and infrastructure projects in designated counties in the four states. The designated counties in New York are Cayuga, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Washington, Warren, Wayne, and Yates.  Find details about this grant opportunity on NBRC's website. Direct questions to Kyle Wilbur at the NYS Department of State.  Climate Justice Working Group Finalizes Disadvantaged Communities Criteria New York State has announced that the Climate Justice Working Group voted to finalize the criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities. The enacted criteria will guide the equitable implementation of New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) provisions that prioritize disadvantaged communities by requiring reductions in air pollution and climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions and targeting clean energy and energy efficiency investments. Find the list of disadvantaged communities, along with preliminary maps, on the Climate Act website. Deadline Approaches for Annual "Buffer in a Bag" Program Applications for the Trees for Tribs' "Buffer in a Bag" program are due by 3 p.m. on April 7, 2023. Qualifying private and public landowners may apply for a free bag of 25 tree and shrub seedlings for planting near streams, rivers, or lakes to help stabilize banks, protect water quality, combat climate change, and improve wildlife habitat. Applicants are eligible for one bag of 25 seedlings and recipients are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of 350 bags are available statewide for this round of applications. Visit DEC's website for more information about the Buffer in a Bag application process. Contact treesfortribs@dec.ny.gov with questions. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation respects your right to privacy and welcomes your feedback  |  Update preferences or unsubscribe  |  Learn more about DEC Delivers Connect with DEC:            Basil Seggos, Commissioner This email was sent to edwardlorilla1991.magnifiecientnews@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation · 625 Broadway · Albany, NY 12233 · (518) 402-8013