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$1.4 Million Awarded Statewide to Battle Milfoil, Phragmites and Other Aquatic Invasive Species
Over $200,000 granted for 6 Mid-Hudson Valley projects
On November 23, 2007, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced that more than 30 municipalities and organizations statewide will receive a total of $1.4 million to help wipe out infestations of non-native aquatic species. The Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication grants will be used by recipients to help fight zebra mussels, water chestnuts, round goby, Eurasian watermilfoil, purple loosestrife, and phragmites, and other invasive threats to New York's ecosystems.
According to DEC Region 3 Director Willie Janeway, a total of over $200,000 has been awarded to projects in the Mid- Hudson Valley including:
City of Newburgh - $40,148: to eradicate 110 acres of curlyleaf pondweed in Browns Pond.
Rockland County: Friends of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission - $37,500: to eradicate 10 acres of Phragmites from the Iona Island tidal marshes.
Ulster County: Scenic Hudson Land Trust - $14,000: to eradicate Japanese knotweed from the Esopus Meadows Preserve.
Dutchess County: Eastern New York Chapter, The Nature Conservancy - $30,533: to eradicate 94 acres of purple loosestrife and Phragmites (common reeds) from calcareous wetlands in Dutchess County.
"Aquatic invasive species, particularly plants, have a wide range of environmental, recreational and economic impacts - they spread rapidly, congest water ways, and disrupt native fish populations," Grannis said. "Once infested by invasives, lakes and rivers can become unusable, and the negative impacts boating, fishing and swimming can adversely affect local economies that are dependant on these waterbodies. These grants will help local communities and environmental groups in their work with DEC to actively address this important issue."
Invasive species are nonnative and can cause harm to ecosystems, food supplies, landscaping, industry and infrastructure. Invasive species are a threat to New York's biodiversity, second only to habitat loss. Invasives come from around the world and the rate of invasion is rising along with the increase in international trade that accompanies globalization.
In April 2007, DEC announced the availability of state grants to municipalities and notfor profit corporations for projects that help eliminate infestations of aquatic invasive species. State funds can be used to pay for up to one half of the total costs of a selected eradication project. Grants for terrestrial invasive species eradication programs will be awarded separately in early 2008.
For the aquatic invasive species grants, DEC received applications seeking almost $2.1 million. A competitive evaluation process ranked and prioritized the proposals for the $1.4 million in available funds. Individual grants were awarded for a minimum of $7,500 and maximum of $100,000. The projects selected were viewed to have the best potential for achieving long-term reductions in the presence of invasive species.
Grant awardees will still need to obtain any necessary State or Federal permits and complete review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), if required, in order to obtain reimbursement. For additional information, please call the DEC at (518) 402-8970 or visit the DEC's Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program web page at: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/ 32861.html .
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