In Brief

The Connecticut and New York Sea Grant Programs announced a request for preliminary proposals for the Long Island Sound Study Research Grant Program.

Thirty-nine new municipalities in New York State will receive free technical assistance to protect drinking water sources through the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2).

The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program awarded more than $5.3 million in grants to protect and restore water quality and habitat in New York and Vermont.

Massachusetts announced the launch of the ResilientCoasts initiative, a holistic strategy for addressing the impacts of climate change along its coastline.



The EPA announced the inaugural Artist-in-Residence Program in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The program aims to boost engagement, awareness and participation in critical water challenges, with locations in Massachusetts and New York.

The Water Environment Federation’s Young Professional Scholarship is now open, providing financial assistance to attend the National Water Policy Fly-In set for April 9 in Washington, D.C.

Maine’s clean water workforce is one of the oldest in America, and the state is looking to recruit veterans to the workforce.

With funding from the Long Island Sound Study, 10 public schools in Connecticut and New York will comprise the new Long Island Sound Schools network, committing to the protection of local watersheds, the Sound and one global ocean.

New York commits nearly $3 million in grants to reduce the negative impacts of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species on the state’s natural resources, economy, and communities.

In December, the EPA released its second annual report on PFAS progress, which outlines key accomplishments under the PFAS Strategic Roadmap over the past year across three fronts – to restrict, remediate, and research PFAS.

The EPA announced the automatic addition of seven per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). 

The Hudson River Ecosystem Monitoring Program requests proposals to implement a three-year (2024-2026) monitoring survey of the Hudson River’s lower food web. 

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund looks to award $12 million in grants in 2024 and is now offering proposal webinars and grant writing assistance.

New York State is offering $325 million in grants for clean water infrastructure projects throughout the state.

Accolades



Daniel Miller, environmental analyst and Hudson River Estuary Program habitat restoration coordinator, received the Outstanding Practitioner Award from the Hudson River Environmental Society in honor of his dedication to restoring Hudson River estuary habitats.

Ryan Buckley, environmental analyst, served on panel during a young professionals technical session, and Victoria Helle, environmental analyst, moderated a technical session at the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) Annual Conference.

NEIWPCC commissioners Janine Burke-Wells, executive director of the North East Biosolids and Residuals Association (NEBRA) and Brian Tarbuck, general manager of the Greater Augusta, Maine Utility District, served as panelists during a plenary session exploring the future of the Clean Water Act and the water industry at the NEWEA Annual Conference.

Jen Lichtensteiger, environmental engineer, facilitated a BioHub stakeholders meeting at the NEWEA Annual Conference to share newly developed information and resources.