Program Aims to Build Capacity for Organizations and Fund
Projects that Address Environmental Justice Issues Throughout the
Long Island Sound
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) is pleased
to announce subawardees for the Long Island Sound Community Impact
Fund (LISCIF), which is a partnership with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) with funding made possible by the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. A full list of subawardees is
located on the LISCIF home page.
Each subawardee project was selected based on their ability to
address challenges facing overburdened and underserved communities
within the Long Island Sound estuary, managed under the Long Island
Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). To
support inclusion in the grant process, LISCIF provided
capacity-building trainings and opportunities to applicants who
historically have never received federal funds or needed additional
support in navigating and managing a federal grant. By
collaborating with community organizations throughout the process,
funds are utilized to support projects in environmental justice
areas while guiding applicants towards success within the grant
cycle and long-term success in their mission.
The grant application was designed in two stages: 1) a Letter of
Intent phase, 2) selected applicants were then invited to submit a
Full Proposal. Applicants attended trainings on: Project Design
& Building Partnerships, Grant Writing, Creating a Federal
Budget, and Writing a Full Proposal to help support them in the
application process. In addition, one-to-one calls were made
available to provide further assistance as needed. In the first
round of funding, 35 letters of intent were received from
New York and Connecticut, requesting $2,583,323. Following recommendations from the
review committee, 24 applicants submitted Full Proposals,
requesting a total amount of $1,938,559.
LISCIF has $1.5 million to provide
for the first round of funding, however, the total requested amount
shows a greater need for funds and longer-term commitment to the
Long Island Sound region. Restore America's Estuaries has selected
18 subawardees for this round of funding, 11 organizations are from
New York and 7 organizations are
located in Connecticut. Grant
sizes are up to $100,000.00 and
subawardees have a year from July
2024 to complete their projects.
"RAE is proud to join with EPA and the Long Island Sound Study
to support vital projects in the Long Island Sound region that will
result in healthier communities and stronger community
institutions," said Daniel
Hayden, President and CEO of Restore America's
Estuaries.
"The Biden-Harris Administration is happy to announce more than
$900,000 in grants to New York awardees, secured through the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. The funding will advance
environmental justice for underserved communities along this
estuary by helping them prevent pollution, build resilience and
cultivate sustainability," said Regional Administrator
Lisa F. Garcia of EPA Region
2.
"The Long Island Community Impact Fund is a great example of how
private organizations can come together with the federal government
to affect change," said EPA New England Regional
Administrator David W. Cash.
"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for this project will
uplift underserved communities by giving them a seat at the
decision-making table, resulting in a healthier, more resilient
environment and community for years to come."
"Preserving and protecting Long Island Sound is an environmental
imperative. Thanks to the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund,
seven Connecticut organizations
will receive federal funding to help with ecological health,
shellfish restoration and other projects to protect this
environmental treasure for future generations," said Senator
Richard Blumenthal.
"The more effort we put into protecting the Long Island Sound,
the more it will give back to us, economically and recreationally.
These awards from the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund will
inject more than half a million dollars into educational workshops
and skills training, youth leadership development, and other local
sustainability projects that will go a long way in keeping the
Sound clean and healthy for future generations to enjoy. This is a
great way to inspire a lifetime of environmental stewardship in
people of all ages, and I look forward to seeing how the awardees
bring their proposals to life," said Senator Chris Murphy.
"The Long Island Sound (LIS) is one of our most treasured
natural resources, and it is vital that we continue to support
programs and services that maintain its health and vitality," said
Representative Rosa DeLauro.
"As a former co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, I am
committed to securing funding for a revitalized Long Island Sound
and secured $40 million for LIS in
the 2024 funding bill. Having grown up on its shores, the Sound has
always held a special place with me, and I am so proud to have the
opportunity to work to ensure that its beaches and waters remain
places for children and families to enjoy. I look forward to
working with my congressional colleagues, RAE, and EPA to support
vital projects in the Long Island Sound region."
"The Long Island Sound and its watershed that spans six states
is one of the most vibrant ecosystems in the world, helping to
sustain the Northeast's economy," said Representative
John B. Larson. "We secured
record investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to
revitalize the Sound by improving climate resiliency, combating
pollution, and protecting habitats in Connecticut and across the Northeast. I will
continue to work with the Connecticut delegation and my Long Island
Sound Caucus colleagues to preserve our region's unique ecosystem
and support initiatives that advance environmental justice."
"Thanks to the federal infrastructure law, organizations in
Connecticut and across the region
are receiving major investments to ensure the Long Island Sound
remains a valuable resource for generations to come. This funding
will go a long way in our work to preserve and protect the Sound
and support communities along the estuary," said Representative
Joe Courtney.
"Here in Southwest Connecticut,
we know well that keeping the Long Island Sound clean is paramount
to the health of our planet, people, and coastal economy. I'm
thrilled that the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF),
made possible by federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law, will provide $1.5 million to
protect people living on the frontlines of the climate crisis. From
purifying our water to building resilient infrastructure,
LISCIF-funded projects will help defend our invaluable natural
resources and equip communities with the tools to tackle climate
challenges head-on," said Representative Jim Himes.
"Investing in maintaining the health of our watersheds is vital
as we work to ensure communities across Connecticut have access to clean water sources
and our wildlife can thrive. Projects like this are another way the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is building a sustainable future for
generations to come," said Representative Jahana Hayes. "I am thrilled the Housatonic
Valley Association will receive federal funding to continue
educating students on the importance of protecting the Housatonic
River and surrounding area."
Prior to starting projects in July, RAE is excited to organize
the Annual Learning Exchange on June
27th at the CUNY Graduate
Center. This will be the first of several opportunities
where subawardees, Tribal Nations, organizations, municipalities,
and institutions will come together to workshop, collaborate,
network, and learn from one another. Workshop themes are based on
projects that will be funded for this round of funding.
RAE is excited to work with subawardees in the Long Island Sound
Region to improve environmental justice issues while assisting
organizations in their programmatic, non-profit/grants management
needs.
For more information on LISCIF or the Annual Learning Exchange,
please visit www.estuaries.org/liscif or direct questions by
email to sbegum@estuaries.org.
About RAE: Restore America's Estuaries is a national
alliance of 10 of the leading coastal conservation groups in
the United States dedicated to the
protection and restoration of bays and estuaries as essential
resources.
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SOURCE Restore America's Estuaries