The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is pleased to announce availability of $3.7 million from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for smart growth projects that will implement existing plans or develop new comprehensive plans within the Adirondack Park and Catskill Park (Parks). DEC, in partnership with the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and the Department of State, is soliciting applications from municipalities and not-for-profit corporations. Grants will support key projects that build on planning and economic development activities by implementing a specific strategy or objective. DEC seeks capital projects and community development initiatives that link environmental protection, economic development and community livability within the special conditions of the Parks. The program provides additional evaluation points towards regional or park-wide projects and projects that address affordable housing needs. The program also includes a separate scoring category for development of comprehensive plans and local land use plans as well as updates to prior plans. This is a reimbursement-based grant program.

The eligible geographic boundaries differ by grant opportunity, as follows:

Catskill Park: All projects (or the funded portion of a larger project) must be located wholly within the boundaries of an eligible Catskill Park Town or Village listed on the last page of this RFA. Counties are among the eligible municipalities located wholly or partially within the Catskill Park that may apply for funding, however, for the purpose of reviewing project location, the project must be located within one or more of the listed Towns and Villages only. Maps are available using DECinfo Locator at https://gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/dil/index.html?cat=LR.