GRAND ISLE — The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is seeking proposals for larger projects, ranging from $50,000-$120,000 designed to reduce pollution from the U.S. portion of the watershed for Lake Champlain. In addition, LCBP would like to assist partners in planning for future technical projects utilizing grants up to $50,000. In sum, up to $500,000 will be available for these larger grants.
Eric Howe, LCBP Program Director said, “Eligible projects might include best management practices for shoreline stabilization, green infrastructure or stormwater management projects, or the purchase of equipment to be shared among organizations. Installation of these projects will occur during the grant period,” said Howe.
“For many projects, several months of planning, engineering, and partnership development are required to bring projects to a ‘shovel-ready’ point” continued Howe. “Our second grant category in this opportunity provides funds to municipalities, watershed organizations, and others for planning innovative green infrastructure projects, developing CSO reduction strategies, or completing watershed scale assessments to prioritize project sites for implementation down the road.” Once additional funding becomes available through LCBP or other sources these projects can begin construction.
The selected proposals will further the goals of the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s long-term management plan Opportunities for Action. Support is provided with funds awarded to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in support of the LCBP.
Details about the Request for Proposals are available online at lcbp.org/grants or by calling the Lake Champlain Basin Program office at 802-372-3213. The deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. Nov. 27. Successful applicants will be notified by late February.
For more information, contact Matthew Vaughan, LCBP Technical Coordinator at 802-372-3213.