EPA Provides Funding to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

EPA Press Release:

EPA Provides Funding to

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

$500,000 Awarded for Development of Wetlands Field Manual

Contact: John Martin, (212) 637-3662, martin.johnj@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y. – February 11, 2013) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $500,000 Wetland Program Development Grant to the Research Foundation of the State University of New York at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York. The grant will be used to develop a field manual that will be used to assess the condition of wetlands throughout New York State.

“Wetlands provide enormous environmental benefits, such as serving as essential habitats for fish and wildlife and reducing many of the effects of climate change,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “Wetlands reduce and filter runoff that pollutes local waterways, particularly in urban areas, and control flooding by absorbing rain and waters from melting snow. This project will enhance the ability to assess and protect New York’s wetlands.”

Under this project, the university will conduct field evaluations of wetland conditions at over 100 sites, and an analysis of land uses surrounding the wetlands. The State University of New York will contribute $209,060 towards this project’s total cost and will work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Transportation on this project.

Since 1990, EPA’s Wetland Program Development Grants have provided financial assistance to help build or refine state and local government wetland programs. These funds provide opportunities for states to conduct research and help build the science behind comprehensive wetlands programs at the state level. Recipients of these grants are required to contribute a minimum of 25 percent of the cost of the project.

For more information on the EPA’s Wetland Program Development Grants, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/grantguidelines/.

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