$100M in NY climate resilience grants
New York announced nearly $100 million in state grants for climate resilience projects this week, funded via the state’s $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act and prioritized for high‑risk communities. Organizers say the fund’s equity focus and local capacity-building approach offers a model for neighboring states looking to fund frontline adaptation. (fingerlakes1.com)
The $100 million was divided into two statewide programs: $60 million for the Resilient Watersheds Grant (RWG) administered by NYSDEC and the Environmental Facilities Corporation, and $40 million for the Department of State’s Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grants (two $20M categories). (governor.ny.gov) RWG-eligible implementation projects listed by the state include dam, bridge and culvert removals, culvert replacements, stream and floodplain restoration, streambank stabilization, and property buyouts. (dec.ny.gov) The RWG program is open to local governments, Indian Nations, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, state agencies and not‑for‑profit corporations, and the RWG program explicitly funds construction/implementation rather than planning-only projects. (dec.ny.gov) The Department of State released RFA #26‑OPDBA‑8 on March 26, 2026, will host a live webinar on April 7, 2026, and requires applications to be submitted through the Consolidated Funding Application by 4:00 PM on June 26, 2026. (dos.ny.gov) DOS’s RFA materials reference New York’s Climate Justice Working Group “Disadvantaged Communities” map and a Bond Act list of DAC communities, and the program guidance points applicants to MWBE compliance forms for grants under the Bond Act. (dos.ny.gov) RWG builds on the DEC’s Resilient NY stream studies—which have completed state‑of‑the‑art analyses for more than 60 high‑priority watersheds—and RWG applications are expected to incorporate hydraulic modeling (HEC‑RAS or similar) and engineering reports stamped by a New York licensed professional engineer. (dec.ny.gov)
