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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">DEM ANNOUNCES $3 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING NOW AVAILABLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in;text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">FOR PROJECTS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND AQUATIC HABITATS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">DEM is seeking proposals for projects to improve water quality, build capacity for stormwater management, and restore aquatic habitats, including the control of aquatic invasive plants, through
its </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/financial-assistance/narragansett-bay-and-water"><span style="color:#0066FF">Narragansett Bay and Watersheds Restoration Fund (BWRF)</span></a><span style="color:black">.
A total of $3 million in funding will be available as authorized in the voter-approved
</span><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/green-bond-2022-green-bond"><span style="color:#0066FF">2022 Green Bond</span></a><span style="color:black">. The
</span><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2023-12/bwrf-rfp.pdf"><span style="color:#0066FF">2024 Request for Proposals (RFP)</span></a><span style="color:black"> is now open. Project proposals targeting Riparian Buffer and Aquatic Habitat
Restoration must be submitted by Feb. 2, 2024. The deadline for proposals targeting water quality restoration and all other projects is Feb. 28, 2024.</span>
<span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Three categories of projects are being sought:
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3">
<b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Non-point Source and Stormwater Pollution Control Projects:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:normal">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Projects that improve stormwater management and abate stormwater pollution with emphasis on green infrastructure, capital projects that strengthen local stormwater management programs, and projects that implement a
Best Management Practice identified in an approved stormwater management plan or water quality restoration plan are encouraged.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3">
<b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Riparian Buffer and Aquatic Habitat Restoration Projects:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:normal">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Projects that address aquatic invasive plant management, particularly in lakes, riparian buffer restoration activities or other action to restore aquatic habitats.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3">
<b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Flood Prevention and Mitigation Projects:</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></u></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flooding in coastal or inland areas and enhance natural ecosystem functions. Eligible projects
include the restoration of floodplains, removal of impervious surfaces and re-vegetation in flood-prone areas, and culvert replacements, among others.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">The matching grants will provide financial assistance to reimburse the applicants for eligible costs up to fifty percent (50%) of total project costs. DEM may consider funding up to seventy-five
percent (75%) of project costs, at its discretion. Local, state, tribal and regional governmental agencies, as well as public schools, universities, businesses, and non-profit watershed, environmental or conservation organizations, are among those eligible
to apply. The </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2023-12/bwrf-rfp.pdf"><span style="color:#0066FF">full RFP</span></a><span style="color:black"> is available on
</span><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/bwrf"><span style="color:#0066FF">DEM’s website</span></a><span style="color:black"> and includes
</span><a href="https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2023-12/bwrf-grant-application-package.pdf"><span style="color:#0066FF">detailed instructions for submitting a grant</span></a><span style="color:black">. In advance of filing a proposal, DEM
can also answer questions concerning eligibility of, a potential project, a potential applicant, allowable project costs, and issues regarding the technical merit of water pollution abatement or habitat restoration strategies. For more information or to apply
for these grant opportunities, please contact Sean McCormick at </span><a href="mailto:sean.mccormick@dem.ri.gov"><span style="color:#0066FF">sean.mccormick@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="color:black">, or Katie DeGoosh-DiMarzio at
</span><a href="mailto:Katie.degoosh@dem.ri.gov"><span style="color:#0066FF">Katie.degoosh@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="color:black">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Two informational hybrid workshops (in-person and online) on the RFP application process will be held according to the following schedule:
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 4, 10 AM – 12 PM
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">WHERE: DEM Headquarters, Room 300, 235 Promenade Street, Providence
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">ONLINE: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqdOqqpjkoG9FTaqgrkMXrFogtQhty8aca__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IelILHdmdXb0NyEcw6pjyGCGw1JaIUyvWb-d4AYUb1K5VbuuFPCQaARR77JiRiuLa7-0kyslgiOf4YgxPITq0uUqUinofHOAnttS$"><span style="color:#0066FF">Click here to register for the
workshop via Zoom</span> [us02web.zoom.us]</a><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2 – 4 PM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">WHERE: DEM Headquarters, Room 300, 235 Promenade Street, Providence
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">ONLINE: </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ld-GvqzksHdPPsFr4dhoheu72rPErUPGq__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IelILHdmdXb0NyEcw6pjyGCGw1JaIUyvWb-d4AYUb1K5VbuuFPCQaARR77JiRiuLa7-0kyslgiOf4YgxPITq0uUqUinofKgF2w7F$"><span style="color:#0066FF">Click here to register for the
workshop via Zoom</span> [us02web.zoom.us]</a><span style="color:#0066FF"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#00457A"><br>
235 Promenade Street | Suite 200 | Providence, RI 02908<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif"><img border="0" width="114" height="53" style="width:1.1875in;height:.552in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DA2DC8.0FED25C0"></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#007635"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#007635">Sean McCormick, MESM
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#007635">Environmental Scientist III<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#00457A">Office of Water Resources<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#00457A">Tel: (401) 222-4700 ext. 2777728<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#00457A"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#00457A">Email:
<a href="mailto:Maria.Costa@dem.ri.gov"><span style="color:blue">sean.mccormick@dem.ri.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#00457A">DEM website:
<a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="color:blue">WWW.DEM.RI.GOV</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#00457A"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:105%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Amasis MT Pro Light",serif;color:#00457A"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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