In This Issue: 
- Deadline Approaching for Division of Water Grant Opportunities
- Community Forest Conservation Grants
- August is National Water Quality Month
- Pilot Program for Water Resources Projects for Small or Disadvantaged Communities
- Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications
Deadline Approaching for Division of Water Grant Opportunities The state's Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) is open until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023, for two grant programs offered by the Division of Water: Contact user.water@dec.ny.gov with questions.
Community Forest Conservation Grants DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced that $1 million is now available through the second round of the State's Community Forest Conservation Grant Program. Municipalities can use this funding to purchase land or conservation easements to create new or expand existing community forests and protect land from development. Local forests provide benefits to communities including clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. Grant awards range from $50,000 to $300,000 to reimburse the costs to acquire land, including the purchase price, appraisal, survey and boundary marking, title search, recording fees, and attorney fees. A 10 percent match is required. Find more information about this grant program on DEC's website.
August is National Water Quality Month National Water Quality Month was founded in 2005 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to bring attention to, and encourage conversations about, what we can do in our own households and communities to ensure that everyone has access to safe, clean drinking water for generations to come. It is a good time to check out DEC's Watershed Stewardship webpage and Drinking Water Source Protection Program.
Pilot Program for Water Resources Projects for Small or Disadvantaged Communities The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is launching a pilot program to fully fund small water resources projects for economically disadvantaged communities (based on the federal definition of disadvantaged communities (PDF)). This program was directed by Section 165 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020. Project proposals are due by August 21, 2023. Find information on how to apply, a fact sheet, a template letter of intent, and program requirements on the WRDA 2020 website.
Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications 
Visit NYHABS, DEC's harmful algal bloom notification map to view locations of freshwater HABs in New York State that were reported in the past two weeks. Click on a dot for more information, including the date it was reported, the waterbody name, and pictures. Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen to view a list of reported HABs. Instructions on how to use NYHABS are on DEC's HABs notification webpage. Know it: HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water, to long, linear green streaks, pea soup, or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration. Avoid it: People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with floating mats, scum, and discolored water. Report it: Report a suspected HAB using the NYHABs online reporting form. Report health concerns related to HABs to the Department of Health at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov, or contact your local health department. | 
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