A major effort to improve the overall health of Long Island Sound is underway, thanks to 23 grants totaling close to $1.3 million. These grants are being given to local government and community groups to help fund projects that aim to open up 1.2 river miles, facilitating the passage of native fish, while restoring 50 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat, including intertidal marsh, coastal forest, grasslands and freshwater wetlands.
Overall, over 989,000 citizens are expected to be reached by the environmental and conservation programs supported by the grants, while nearly 600,000 gallons of storm water will be treated thanks to water pollution control projects. This public-private grant program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative.
"Protecting and restoring Long Island Sound have long been priorities for EPA," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Curt Spalding, in a statement. "These grants will support vital and diverse projects throughout the region to improve water quality and remove pollution from the Long Island Sound watershed, and involve the public in the protection of one of the nation's most important natural treasures."
The Long Island Sound Futures Fund was started by the Long Island Sound Study back in 2005, with help from the EPA’s Long Island Sound Office and NFWF. So far the program has invested $11.7 million in 285 projects meant to help communities near the Sound. With grantee match of $24 million, a total of around $36 million has been generated for projects in both Connecticut and New York.
Long Island Sound is an estuary that offers both economic and recreational benefits to nearby residents and visitors, while also providing a habitat for invertebrates, various species of fish and migratory birds.
Edited by Alisen Downey