In an ongoing effort to combat climate change, New York has made $80 million available to support local climate resiliency projects. Selected applicants will receive aid from up to three programs to develop nature-based and green infrastructure projects that will reduce flood risk and protect communities from extreme weather. Applications for all three programs are due June 6, 2025.
Funded projects will emphasize proactive methods for emergency preparedness and solutions that reduce damage caused by climate-driven extreme weather. The three grant programs that will distribute the funds are:
- The Resilient Watersheds Grant (RWG) Program.
- The Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience Projects (CRRP) Program.
- The Inland Flooding and Local Waterfront Revitalization Implementation Projects (IFLWRIP) Program.
The RWG program will allocate $45 million to support infrastructure enhancements and efforts to protect residents from extreme weather impacts. Projects featured as part of the program will prioritize community resilience for local governments, Indian Nations, County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, state agencies and nonprofits. These may include:
- Reducing and restoring flood risks and ice jams.
- Improving flood and climate resilience.
- Building natural and nature-based features.
- Supporting healthy riparian habitats through ecologically sustainable initiatives.
The CRRP program will make $20 million available to coastal communities, supporting nature-based solutions to improve community resilience while promoting local environmental, economic and social benefits. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, Indian Nations, nonprofits, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and state agencies. Projects that may receive funding include those that:
- Enhance habitat and ecosystem resiliency by restoring habitats, building wildlife barriers and removing dams.
- Improve climate resiliency and risk reduction by reconnecting floodplains and right-sizing culverts with natural stream bottoms.
- Manage stormwater by investing in green infrastructure and retrofitting stormwater projects.
The IFLWRIP program will distribute the remaining $15 million to kickstart projects centered around improving waterfront and watershed resiliency and reducing climate change-related impacts. Villages, towns and cities located along the state’s coasts or inland waterways may apply. Projects that will be eligible for financial support include:
- Preserving, restoring or enhancing natural landscapes that protect water quality and revitalize waterfronts. Examples include stabilizing shorelines with natural and nature-based solutions, living shorelines, vegetated buffers, culvert rightsizing, restoring natural sediment transportation, reducing runoff, reducing watershed imperviousness and preserving groundwater infiltration.
- Stormwater management to reduce localized flooding and increase resiliency by installing green infrastructure and retrofitting stormwater solutions.
- Making public facilities more accessible and resilient to flooding and severe weather.
- Prioritizing restoration efforts that address barriers preventing select species from migrating.
(Photo courtesy of Niall Kearney.)
