New York State has awarded more than $18 million in grants for 12 water quality and climate resiliency projects in the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Region 2, which covers New York City. This funding is part of a larger initiative recently announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, totaling over $265 million statewide to protect drinking water, improve climate resilience, update aging infrastructure, reduce harmful algal blooms, and ensure access to clean water.
The grants come from several programs administered by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), including the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP), Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Mapping Grant (NPG), and Resilient Watersheds Grant (RWG). These programs are supported by resources such as the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the Environmental Protection Fund.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton stated, “Since taking office, and most recently in the 2026 State of the State, Governor Hochul continues to provide unprecedented resources to invest in climate resiliency and water infrastructure to support communities across the State. With more than $265 million from multiple programs, including $185 million supporting improvements in environmental justice communities, the awarded projects will help our municipal partners achieve meaningful reductions in flood risk, protect drinking water, improve aquatic habitat, and safeguard residents from increasingly severe weather events.”
EFC President and CEO Maureen Coleman added, “Governor Hochul is investing billions in water infrastructure every year to help local governments affordably advance crucial water quality and resiliency projects. By pairing Environmental Bond Act funding with other State program funding to support new and signature programs, every dollar goes further and brings New York closer to a safer, more sustainable future. The new Resilient Watersheds Grant program will jumpstart flood-mitigation projects in some of the most at-risk communities while creating good-paying jobs that drive local economies.”
Projects receiving awards include:
– In Bronx/Westchester County: Save the Sound Inc. will receive $2 million through WQIP for removal of Hartsdale Dam in Westchester County with post-removal habitat restoration along the Bronx River.
– In Kings County: The New York City Housing Authority will get $8 million through WQIP for green infrastructure at Sheepshead Bay housing development; New York City Department of Environmental Protection will receive $2 million through WQIP for bioretention systems on Neptune Avenue and Bayview Avenue medians.
– In Queens County: The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is allocated $6.2 million through WQIP for floatables control systems in Flushing Creek and Bay.
Statewide, more than $208 million was distributed via DEC’s WQIP grant program to 131 projects that aim to directly improve water quality or habitats or promote flood risk reduction. Additionally, $2.9 million was awarded through DEC’s NPG program for initial planning efforts such as replacing undersized culverts or implementing green infrastructure.
Another $55 million went toward 24 climate resiliency projects across 15 communities under EFC’s RWG program. These initiatives include stream restoration, dam removals, culvert replacements, property buyouts, and other actions recommended by state-led watershed studies.
Governor Hochul has proposed a five-year plan committing $3.75 billion—$750 million annually—to modernize state water systems as outlined in her 2026 State of the State address. Since 2017, state investments have totaled about $6 billion toward clean water infrastructure; this new commitment would increase that figure close to $10 billion.
Voters approved New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act on November 8, 2022. To date nearly half ($1.9 billion) of its total funds have been invested statewide toward protecting water quality and helping communities adapt to climate change.
Some grants were issued via New York’s Consolidated Funding Application process designed to streamline economic development funding requests across multiple agencies into one application system.
