The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Water Resources Institute (NYSWRI) at Cornell University announced on Thursday the awarding of $325,994 in grants for 11 projects aimed at enhancing the health of New York’s watershed regions. These projects, supported by the state’s Environmental Protection Fund, focus on the Great Lakes, Hudson River Estuary, and Mohawk River basin watersheds.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos highlighted the grants’ role in protecting aquatic habitats and preparing communities to face the impacts of climate change along their shorelines. The funding will support diverse initiatives ranging from reducing toxic substances in the Great Lakes to improving water quality monitoring across various watersheds.
Significant projects include Cornell University’s study on the presence of PFAS in the Finger Lakes and Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ research on aquatic plant tolerance in relation to water quality indicators. These studies aim to provide data-driven insights to enhance watershed management and conservation efforts across the state.
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