DEC announces $750,000 is available for Hudson River access improvements in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown

ALBANY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that $750,000 in funding is now available to help the villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown plan and construct improvements for recreational access to the tidal waters of the Hudson River. Funding for this grant opportunity is provided by the Natural Resource Damages (NRD) General Motors (GM)/Tarrytown Hudson River Settlement.

“This funding supports Governor Cuomo’s continued investments to create new and expanded recreation opportunities for people of all abilities and to increase access to New York’s abundant natural resources,” Commissioner Seggos said. “New York’s commitment and investment in our Hudson River estuary programs support local communities and their efforts to create a more a sustainable environment while increasing resiliency to extreme weather and flooding..”

Approximately $750,000 is available for projects to provide new or improved access at new or existing sites for boating, fishing, swimming, enjoyment of nature, wildlife-related recreation, or educational interpretation of the Hudson River estuary. Projects must be located on publicly accessible lands along the tidal Hudson or tidal portion of a tributary within 15 miles to the north or south of the former General Motors factory location (address 199 Beekman Avenue, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591) in the general vicinity of the villages of Sleepy Hollow or Tarrytown. The minimum award amount is $10,500, up to a maximum amount of $375,000.

The deadline for applications is 3 p.m. March 20. Requests for Applications (RFAs) for “River Access in the Vicinity of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown” is available online through the NYS Grants Gateway at https://grantsgateway.ny.gov. The River Access RFA includes the application, instructions, and detailed eligibility criteria. General information about the grants is also available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5091.html.

General questions about the Hudson River Estuary grants application process may be directed to Susan Pepe, Estuary Grants Manager, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3506; HREPgrants@dec.ny.gov.