SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants 2022 RFP Released
For Immediate Release: March 7, 2022
Contact: Rob Shane, Restore America’s Estuaries
614-371-3270 or rshane@estuaries.org
$1.85 Million in Competitive Grants Available to Restore Clean Water and Resilient Coasts in Southeast New England
Application Deadline: April 26, 2022
Application Workshops Scheduled
Details online at www.snepgrants.org
(Providence, RI) Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is pleased to release its Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2022 funding round of Southeast New England Program Watershed Implementation Grants (SWIG).
This year, SWIG will award up to $1.85 million in competitive grant funding to projects, programs, and partnerships that restore coastal and watershed ecosystems throughout Southeast New England. Typical awards will range from $100,000 to $350,000. RAE will consider grants up to $500,000 for projects of exceptional impact, and will fund smaller grants for specific purposes.
RAE will begin accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) on March 8. The deadline to submit a LOI is April 26, 2022, at 4 p.m. RAE will also host virtual workshops for interested applicants on March 17 and 22.
The RFP provides full information on priorities and requirements of the grants, which support the work of EPA’s Southeast New England Program (SNEP).
“Restoration of our wetlands, rivers, and other natural habitats is critical to the health of our climate, ecosystems, and coastal economy. Our waters connect and sustain us and collaboration is key to protecting our watershed. That is why I spearheaded this program: to bring people together across Rhode Island and Massachusetts to take a strategic, scientific-based approach to protecting and improving the health of our entire coastal watershed,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who created and funded SNEP for Coastal Watershed Restoration.
“Projects funded through the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) are making a big difference in many coastal areas of Massachusetts and Rhode Island including Cape Cod, Narragansett Bay, Buzzards Bay, and the Islands. EPA is looking forward to the 2022 projects promoting healthy coastal ecosystems and water quality in our communities. Previous projects funded through SNEP have identified innovative techniques and methods to address environmental challenges shared by many communities, and we know that New England ingenuity will help find lasting solutions.” said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash.
SWIG accepts applications in two stages, beginning with a brief Letter of Intent (LOI) submitted online. For those selected for further consideration, RAE will request a Full Proposal, with award decisions expected in August 2022. RAE and EPA review applications and make funding decisions with the support of an interdisciplinary advisory committee. Grants will be announced at public events in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in September or October, 2022.
SWIG22 will fund projects that support the vision, goals and priority actions outlined in the SNEP Strategic Plan. All grants will be awarded within the geographic region of Southeast New England, which includes all of Rhode Island and most of Southeastern Massachusetts, including the Narragansett Bay watershed, Buzzards Bay watershed, much of Cape Cod and the region’s offshore and inshore islands.
“Restoring Southeast New England’s vital waterways and coasts is paramount in ensuring clean water, and the economic and cultural prosperity in the region” said Daniel Hayden, President and CEO of Restore America’s Estuaries. “We are excited to again work with EPA Region 1 to deliver critical funding to advance our shared priorities to improve water quality and ecosystem health in the region. We also thank Senator Reed for his foresight in the development of this program as well as the entire Congressional delegation and state agencies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for their continued support.”
Established in 2012 by EPA at the direction of Congress, SNEP works in partnership with stakeholders in the region to promote a resilient ecosystem of clean water, healthy diverse habitats, and sustainable communities.
Over the past four years, SWIG has awarded more than $10 million to fund high-impact environmental projects by organizations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. SWIG funds projects to reduce pollution to coastal and inland waters; increase coastal and community resilience; restore rivers, wetlands and other natural habitats; foster environmental justice; plan for more sustainable economic development; and improve the quality of life in Southeast New England communities.
By funding locally based partnerships that are working to reduce pollution and restore coastal habitats, SWIG22 will help ensure clean water, sustainable ecosystems, resilient coasts, and vibrant communities throughout Southeast New England.
For more information about the SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants program, visit www.snepgrants.org.