The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has announced the 2012 Green Infrastructure Grant Program. Up to $4 million will be available for green infrastructure projects such as right of way bioswales, blue roofs, green roofs and porous pavement on private property and in sidewalks in combined sewered areas.
The application deadline has passed. Winners of the 2012 Green Infrastructure Grant Program have been announced.
The map provided can be used for general planning and guidance purposes to determine if your site is within the combined sewer and priority areas.
Green Infrastructure Grant Workshops
DEP hosted three Grant Workshops in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens in December 2011.
Applicant Resources
To make connections, share ideas and find partners for your grant application please visit New York City’s Change by Us website
To read about last year’s winning grant proposals view the June 2011 press release:
Applying by Mail
Applications may be submitted by mail and must include an electronic copy (in PDF format) of the application on compact discs. The due date for mailed applications is the same as on-line submissions. Mailed applications received after Wednesday, February 15, 2012 (regardless of postmark date) will be considered late and will not be reviewed.
The application deadline has passed. DEP is no longer accepting submissions for the 2012 Green Infrastructure Grant Program.
For information on future grant programs please contact:
Mikelle Adgate, Office of Green Infrastructure
NYC Department of Environmental Protection
59-17 Junction Blvd. 11th Floor
Flushing, NY 11373
sustainability@dep.nyc.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my property is not in a priority watershed? Is it still eligible?
All combined sewered areas of New York City are eligible for the grant program. Approximately two thirds of New York City sewers are combined, this includes most of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx and a portion of northern Staten Island. You can use the map above to help determine if your project is in a combined area.
I’m looking at the map, but still have questions. How do I read it correctly?
All of the colored areas of the map are combined sewer watersheds. Use the “Zoom” feature in Adobe Reader to zoom into the map and view specific street names. The hashed areas indicate priority combined sewer areas. The dark gray areas indicate “other combined sewer areas.” Areas that are lightly shaded (e.g., most of Staten Island and the Rockaways) are separately sewered. Projects located in separately sewered areas are not eligible for funding under the GI Grant Program. For further confirmation on whether or not your property is in a combined sewered area and/or if it drains to a priority watershed you can go down to your local sewer office with your Borough, Block and Lot information.
Are public school green roofs eligible for funding?
No public buildings are eligible for the grant, including public schools. Only projects that are on private property or in the public sidewalk abutting non-city owned property are eligible.
Can I propose a workforce development project or educational programs?
The GI Grant Program will only fund capitally eligible costs. That means costs related to design, construction, materials and labor of the green infrastructure installation only. For more information on what costs are considered capitally eligible refer to Directive 10 from the New York City Comptroller’s Office.
What are the maintenance requirements for selected projects?
Applicants must propose a maintenance plan that details maintenance tasks and activities for (3) years if the project in the sidewalk or (20) years if the project is on private property. Maintenance costs are not eligible for grant funding, so applicants must detail how they will pay for maintenance activities.
How much should my project contribute in matching funds?
Matching funds are not required in the GI Grant Program, but Applicants are encouraged to provide for matching funds particularly for expenses that are not eligible for capital funding (e.g. maintenance, education activities, outreach materials, fences, benches etc.)
I’d like to submit an application for a sidewalk project on behalf of a Business Improvement District (BID). Will all of the abutting property owners be required to sign Funding Agreements?
Yes, each abutting property owner will be required to sign a Funding Agreement if the project is selected. While preparing your application you should consider 1) the logistics of managing a project where multiple property owners sign Funding Agreements 2) whether all of the abutting property owners will be willing to sign the Funding Agreement and Declaration of Restrictive Covenant (if applicable).
I would like to build a green roof on my property. I’ve read the Funding Agreement and Declaration of Restrictive Covenant and have a few major issues with it. Can I negotiate these issues with DEP if my project is selected?
Grant Recipients should be prepared to the sign the Funding Agreement and Declaration of Restrictive Covenant as-is. DEP cannot entertain changes or editions to either document. If you are not willing to sign the Funding Agreement or Declaration of Restrictive Covenant, you should not apply for the GI Grant Program.
I am part of a non-profit that will be managing the project. Can grant funds cover part of my salary or our operations costs?
Unfortunately, no. Grant funds can only be dispersed to third-party contractors. O&M costs are not capitally eligible.
Can project costs be provided for upfront?
Unfortunately, no. The GI Grant Program is a reimbursement program. After the Funding Agreement has been executed and registered (6-8 weeks), and designs have been reviewed and approved (2-3 months depending on complexity), DEP will issue a Notice to Proceed to Grantees. Upon receiving the Notice to Proceed, Grantees can begin issuing monthly invoices (for design, labor material and construction costs) to DEP. It usually takes 30-40 days to receive the reimbursement.
