DEM Announces $3 Million in Grant Funding Now Available for Projects to Improve Water Quality and Aquatic Habitats

Published on Wednesday, December 13, 2023

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is seeking proposals for projects to improve water quality, build capacity for stormwater management, and restore aquatic habitats, including the control of aquatic invasive plants, through its Narragansett Bay and Watersheds Restoration Fund (BWRF). A total of $3 million in funding will be available as authorized in the voter-approved 2022 Green Bond. The 2024 Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open. Project proposals targeting Riparian Buffer and Aquatic Habitat Restoration must be submitted by Feb. 2, 2024. The deadline for proposals targeting water quality restoration and all other projects is Feb. 28, 2024.

Three categories of projects are being sought:

Non-point Source and Stormwater Pollution Control Projects:

Projects that improve stormwater management and abate stormwater pollution with emphasis on green infrastructure, capital projects that strengthen local stormwater management programs, and projects that implement a Best Management Practice identified in an approved stormwater management plan or water quality restoration plan are encouraged.

Riparian Buffer and Aquatic Habitat Restoration Projects:

Projects that address aquatic invasive plant management, particularly in lakes, riparian buffer restoration activities or other action to restore aquatic habitats.

Flood Prevention and Mitigation Projects:

Projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flooding in coastal or inland areas and enhance natural ecosystem functions. Eligible projects include the restoration of floodplains, removal of impervious surfaces and re-vegetation in flood-prone areas, and culvert replacements, among others. 

The matching grants will provide financial assistance to reimburse the applicants for eligible costs up to fifty percent (50%) of total project costs. DEM may consider funding up to seventy-five percent (75%) of project costs, at its discretion. Local, state, tribal and regional governmental agencies, as well as public schools, universities, businesses, and non-profit watershed, environmental or conservation organizations, are among those eligible to apply. The full RFP is available on DEM’s website and includes detailed instructions for submitting a grant. In advance of filing a proposal, DEM can also answer questions concerning eligibility of, a potential project, a potential applicant, allowable project costs, and issues regarding the technical merit of water pollution abatement or habitat restoration strategies. For more information or to apply for these grant opportunities, please contact Sean McCormick at sean.mccormick@dem.ri.gov, or Katie DeGoosh-DiMarzio at Katie.degoosh@dem.ri.gov.

Two informational hybrid workshops (in-person and online) on the RFP application process will be held according to the following schedule:

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 4, 10AM – 12PM

WHERE: DEM Headquarters, Room 300, 235 Promenade Street, Providence

ONLINE: Click here to register for the workshop via Zoom

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2 – 4PM

WHERE: DEM Headquarters, Room 300, 235 Promenade Street, Providence

ONLINE: Click here to register for the workshop via Zoom

Rhode Islanders consistently support investments in environmental protection and nearly 70% of voters approved passage of the $50 million Green Bond in Nov. 2022. The Bond funds aid municipal communities and other eligible organizations to restore and improve climate resiliency, help small businesses increase energy efficiency, restore water quality and forest habitat, preserve open space, mitigate the effects of stormwater, and cleanup former industrial "brownfield" sites for redevelopment.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.