For Release: Monday, June 5, 2006

DEC Announces Invasive Species Eradication Grant Recipients

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced $1 million as part of the first aquatic Invasive Species Eradication Grants. These grants will be used to help eradicate the influx of non-native aquatic species across the State.

"Aquatic invasive species reduce native fish populations which is problematic for recreational anglers as well as New York's fishing industry. If affected by these organisms, lakes and rivers can become unusable, negatively impacting recreational activities such as boating and swimming and can adversely affect local economies that are highly dependant on the marine environment," said Commissioner Sheehan. "Invasive species are a threat to our biodiversity, second only to habitat loss. DEC is partnering with local communities and environmental groups to actively address this important issue and these grants are an essential step towards protecting our environment by eradicating these harmful organisms."

New York State Senator Betty Little said, "I've been pleased to work with Commissioner Denise Sheehan and the Department of Environmental Conservation to create this needed grant program. We see a lot of hard work and determination in our communities to fight aquatic invasive species, but a lack of financial resources makes a tough job sometimes impossible to complete. This funding is an important investment that, combined with continued boater education, will help ensure we win the battle against invasive species."

Invasive species are non-native species that can cause harm to the environment. Invasives come from all around the world and the rate of invasion is increasing along with the increase in international trade that accompanies globalization. Invasive species have caused many problems in the past, are causing problems now, and pose threats to our future. Zebra mussels, water chestnuts, Round Goby, Eurasian watermilfoil, and Purple Loosestrife are just several invasive aquatic species familiar to many New Yorkers. These and a wide variety of other invasive species harm ecosystems, food supplies, landscaping, industry and infrastructure.

In December 2005, Commissioner Sheehan announced the availability of $1 million in State grants to be awarded to municipalities and not-for-profit corporations for projects that help eliminate infestations of aquatic invasive species. State funds can be used to pay for up to one-third of the total costs of a selected eradication project.

DEC received applications seeking a total of nearly $1.5 million. A comprehensive review and competitive evaluation process was conducted to rank and prioritize the applications for the $1 million in funding available for grants. Individual grants were awarded for a minimum of $10,000 and maximum of $100,000. The applications selected were viewed to have the best potential for achieving long-term reductions in the presence of invasive species.

The grant proposals selected for funding include:

$53,234 to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to eradicate common reed in the tidal reaches of the Carman's River, and $51,200 to eradicate common reed from Beaver Dam Creek (Suffolk County);
$100,000 to The Fund for Lake George to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from several Lake George embayments (Warren County);
$100,000 to the Upper Saranac Lake Foundation to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Upper Saranac Lake (Franklin County);
$60,000 to the Town of Cortlandt to eradicate common reed from Oscawana Island (Westchester County);
$54,000 to the Lake Bonaparte Conservation Club to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Lake Bonaparte (Lewis County);
$53,790 to the Village of Scotia to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Collins Lake (Schenectady County);
$50,000 to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to eradicate common reed and purple loosestrife from wetlands in five Bronx Parks;
$39,865 to the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District to eradicate watermilfoil from Saratoga Lake (Saratoga County);
$33,020 to Onondaga County to eradicate water chestnut in the Three Rivers Corridor;
$30,450 to the Mountain View Lake Association to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Mountain View Lake (Franklin County);
$30,000 to the Owasco Flats Nature Reserve, Inc. to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Owasco Lake (Cayuga County);
$29,182 to the Town of Inlet to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from 5th, 6th, and 7th Lakes (Hamilton County);
$28,833 to the Town of Schroon to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed in Schroon Lake (Essex and Warren Counties);
$27,330 to The Nature Conservancy, Adirondack Chapter, to eradicate European Frog-bit from portions of the Grasse River (St. Lawrence County);
$26,046 to Suffolk County to eradicate water primrose from the Peconic River;
$23,067 to the Town of Madison to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Lake Moraine (Madison County);
$20,710 to the Town of Kent to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Lake Carmel (Putnam County);
$20,000 to Schuyler County to eradicate a new infestation of Eurasian watermilfoil from Waneta Lake;
$16,225 to the Glen Lake Protective Association to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed from Glen Lake (Warren County);
$16,066 to Save Our Sodus, Inc. to eradicate water chestnut from Second Creek (Wayne County);
$15,437 to the National Audubon Society to eradicate water chestnut, common reed, and purple loosestrife from four sanctuaries in southeastern New York (Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia, Green Counties);
$15,121 to the Town of East Hampton to eradicate common reed from portions of Fort Pond (Suffolk County);
$15,000 to the Village of Tarrytown to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed from Upper Tarrytown Lake (Westchester County);
$13,498 to the Village of Ilion to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from the Number Three Reservoir (Herkimer County);
$13,155 to the Village of Scarsdale to eradicate common reed and Japanese knotweed from wetlands in Crossway Fields and Harwood Park (Westchester County);
$13,000 to the Lake Colby Association to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Lake Colby (Franklin County);
$10,900 to the Brant Lake Foundation to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Brant Lake (Warren County);
$10,871 to the Albany Water Board to eradicate water chestnut from Basic Creek Reservoir (Albany County);
$10,000 to the Town of Chester to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Loon Lake (Warren County);
$10,000 to the Town of Grand Island to eradicate purple loosestrife from the Town Commons (Erie County);
$10,000 to The Olana Partnership to eradicate water chestnut, common reed, and purple loosestrife from The Lake At Olana Historical Site (Columbia County).

Grant awardees will still need to obtain any necessary State or Federal permits and complete review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), if required, in order to obtain reimbursement.

In November 2005, DEC and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets submitted the final report of the New York State Invasive Species Task Force to Governor George E. Pataki and the State Legislature. The report explains the problems that occur when non-native species invade; discusses the various activities government, industry, conservation groups, homeowners, academia, and others have undertaken to prevent or control invasive plants and animals; and makes recommendations on how New York State can improve its defenses against invasive species. Governor Pataki has included $3.25 million for invasive species control, research, management and education in his proposed $200 million 2006 - 07 Environmental Protection Fund.

For additional information, please call the DEC at (518) 402-8970 or visit the Department's Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program web page.

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