Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Local Assistance Grant Program

The Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve (Reserve) features vast stretches of sandy beaches, numerous marinas, and abundant parks and nature preserves that provide opportunities to swim, boat, fish, hike, observe wildlife, and relax. Home to 1.5 million people, the Reserve is an anchor for Long Island’s tourism, seafood, and recreation industries. The New York Department of State (DOS) Office of Planning, Development, and Community Infrastructure (OPDCI) administers and provides funding for the implementation of the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) in cooperation with the 23-member Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Council, which is comprised of State and local governments, non-profit and academic organizations, and other stakeholders. The program is administered in accordance with the CMP, the Environmental Protection Fund and Executive Law, Article 46.

This Request for Applications (RFA) is soliciting applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) from eligible applicants proposing projects in the Reserve. Projects will target the implementation of the CMP’s recommendations or advance a Reserve Council priority. Applications may include projects to improve water quality, mitigate barriers to species migration in Reserve tributaries, support marine debris removal programs, increase public access, and restore natural resources and fortify shorelines to increase resiliency of the Reserve.