Author: Joe Costa

It’s not too late to develop a pre-proposal for a 2018 SNEP Watershed Grant!

Posted on by Joe Costa

To help restore clean water and healthy ecosystems to Southeast New England, Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE), with financial support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has launched the 2018 Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Watershed Grants. The grants target water pollution, habitat degradation, and other high-priority environmental issues, in order to foster sustainable coastal and watershed communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. Pre-proposals are due Friday, March 30, 2018 at 5 p.m. Pre-proposals are not to exceed seven pages (one page for cover information, not to exceed two pages for the project narrative, three pages for the budget, and one page for an optional  map). Partner commitment letters are not required for the pre-proposals.

The Buzzards Bay NEP can provide technical support in the development of SNEP grant applications, and we can also partner with organizations on grant applications that meet our program’s goals or tasks in our work plan. Call Joe Costa at 508.291.3625 x 11 if you would like to propose partnering with the Buzzards NEP to discuss, or Sarah Williams at 508.291.3625 x 13 if you need specific map products or other technical support.

The SNEP Watershed Grants’ streamlined pre-proposal process makes it easy to submit an application. With more than two weeks to go, there’s plenty of time to develop and submit your pre-proposal. Complete application and submittal instructions are included in the Request for Proposals (RFP). DOWNLOAD THE RFP & RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS HERE

The SNEP program has posted new “Response to Questions” that address questions asked at public information sessions and webinars held by RAE in late February and early March. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review this document in developing SNEP proposals.

The 2018 SNEP Watershed Grants will provide up to $2.5 million to encourage strategic investments by state, local, tribal, and regional partners. The source of the funding is federal, and grantees are expected to provide an additional 33% of the grant amount in non-federal matching funds. Cash and in-kind contributions may be counted toward match.

The 2018 SNEP Watershed Grants support the goals and priorities of EPA’s Southeast New England Program, a regional effort to promote a resilient ecosystem of clean water, healthy diverse habitats, and sustainable communities in Southeast New England’s coastal watersheds. The grant program also supports the goals and priorities of the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and  Management Plan (CCMP). Learn more about EPA’s SNEP program here.

Waterborne commerce statistics posted.

Posted on by Joe Costa

Buzzards Bay and the Cape Cod Canal are part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, an important shipping route for maritime commerce. Millions of tons of cargo pass through Buzzards Bay and the Cape Cod Canal annually, and hundreds of thousands of tons of goods leave or arrive in New Bedford as well. Our new waterborne commerce statistics page summarizes tonnage of various commodities shipped in and out of Buzzards Bay, and some of the commodities may surprise you.  We also provide helpful links where you can find more information.

Interactive map of Buzzards Bay NEP grants posted

Posted on by Joe Costa

Over the years, the Buzzards Bay NEP has awarded millions of dollars in grants to Buzzards Bay municipalities, non-profits, and research organizations. We posted online an interactive map of all grants awarded since 2006.  Go to our interactive map of grants awarded page to learn more about these projects. If you click on one of the map symbols, information will pop up about the grant, with links to additional information.