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SHINN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY
OF $1 MILLION IN NEW WATERSHED MANAGEMENT GRANTS
New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Shinn
announced today that $1million is now available to support
watershed management throughout the state.
For one program, local organizations must
first establish themselves as eligible Watershed Management
Groups. This year, $500,000 is available to support these
groups. For the other program, another $500,000 is available
for educational activities for the public advisory committees
of the state's 20 watershed management areas.
"These additional funds will further
our efforts to improve water quality throughout the state
and involve the public in working with us toward that goal,"
said Shinn.
To become eligible Watershed Management
Groups, the organizations must include a broad range of
local interests in accordance with the state's recently
adopted revisions to the Water Quality Management Planning
Rules and the Watershed Protection and Management Act. These
interests would include representatives from local and county
government officials, water purveyors, wastewater utilities
, representatives of the business, agricultural, academic
and environmental communities, regional planning agencies,
soil conservation districts and the general public.
Existing local organizations are encouraged
to read the grant eligibility requirements on DEP's website.
Monies for this program are provided through the Watershed
Management Fund, which is generated from the Corporate Business
Tax.
Projects for approved Watershed Management
Groups may include the establishment of watershed associations
and actions identified as priorities by Watershed Management
Area Public Advisory Committees. The application deadline
for these grants is March 15, 2002. After DEP has reviewed
the applications, the department will submit a list of recommended
projects to the New Jersey Legislature for approval.In addition
to these grants, $500,000 is available from the state's
General Fund to support watershed educational activities.
In accordance with the budget appropriation, this funding
will be distributed equally among the public advisory committees
for the state' s 20 watershed management areas. These grants
must be awarded before June 30, 2002. The Division of Watershed
Management will be working with the agencies to review the
requirements.
For more information on how to become
a recognized Watershed Management Group and how to apply
for funds, view DEP's web site at www.state.nj.us/dep/watershedmgt.
Notice of Availability will be published in the Nov. 5 NJ
Register, or contact DEP's Division of Watershed Management
at PO Box 418, Trenton, NJ 08625-0418, Attn: Watershed Management
Group Grants, or (609) 984-0058.
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