The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Water Resources Institute (WRI) at Cornell University have announced more than $371,000 in new grants to support watershed research across New York. The funding, drawn from the state’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), will advance 11 projects addressing critical water resource needs in the Great Lakes, Hudson River Estuary, and Mohawk River watersheds.
Protecting New York’s vital water resources
The awarded projects aim to tackle a range of environmental challenges, from toxic chemical monitoring to habitat conservation. DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Protecting the health of New York’s critical watersheds will help ensure that aquatic habitats continue to thrive, and communities are better prepared to withstand severe weather impacts along their shorelines.”
Through collaboration with Cornell’s WRI, the projects are poised to generate valuable data, educational resources, and actionable strategies for preserving the state’s water ecosystems.
Great Lakes watershed: Eight projects to strengthen ecosystems
Eight grant recipients will focus on implementing the New York Great Lakes Action Agenda goals, which include reducing toxic substances, managing sediment loads, combating invasive species, and conserving native habitats:
- Binghamton University ($45,000): Testing Finger Lakes surface foam for PFAS chemicals to track contamination pathways.
- Clarkson University ($40,000): Developing AI-driven models to predict coastal hazards like flooding and erosion along Lake Ontario.
- Cornell University ($41,000): Mapping PFAS sources in the Finger Lakes with an online public dashboard.
- Cornell University ($7,200): Studying rice paddies as natural filters for farm runoff in flood-prone agricultural zones.
- Cornell University and SUNY ESF ($12,671): Investigating methane emissions from mysterious holes at the bottom of Seneca Lake, linked to the so-called “Seneca Drums.”
- Cornell University and New York Sea Grant ($40,000): Promoting Atlantic salmon fishing through public education on salmon populations in Lake Ontario.
- SUNY Brockport ($39,377): Monitoring seasonal water quality changes and harmful algal blooms in Braddock Bay.
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($26,143): Studying how non-native baitfish impact native brook trout in Adirondack ponds.
Hudson River Estuary and Mohawk River: Enhancing waterway health
Three additional projects will focus on river connectivity, community engagement, and pollution monitoring in the Hudson River Estuary and Mohawk River watersheds:
- Clarkson University ($40,000): Improving fish passage and reducing flood risks through better stream crossing designs in the Fishkill Creek Watershed.
- Cornell University ($40,000): Partnering with middle school students to create art-science projects highlighting Mohawk River conservation issues.
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NATURE Lab, and Riverkeeper ($40,000): Expanding microplastics monitoring in the Upper Hudson River and fostering public awareness through education and eco-art installations.
Supporting clean water and climate resilience
The DEC’s grant program reinforces New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s broader commitment to investing in clean water infrastructure and building climate resilience. In addition to these watershed research projects, the Hochul administration recently awarded over $225 million for 165 water quality improvement initiatives across the state — with more than $197 million directed toward environmental justice communities.
These efforts aim to protect public health, strengthen ecosystems, and ensure that critical water resources remain sustainable in the face of a changing climate.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].