Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund Grant Program

The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund Grant Program supports the acquisition of watershed lands to protect water quality and enhance community life. Grants are aimed at non-profits, municipalities, and educational institutions, focusing on projects that benefit the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District. Eligible projects must enhance water supply protection and include appraisals and purchase agreements. The Fund emphasizes conservation easements and environmental education, ensuring sustainable management of vital water resources.

The Watershed Fund partners with local land trusts, municipalities, state agencies and others to protect threatened watershed lands. It is proud of its efforts to protect water quality while adding value to a community’s quality of life by protecting open spaces.
Purpose of Grants - Land Acquisition
To award grants for the acquisition of title, conservation easements, and/or development rights to watershed land for the purpose of protecting, preserving, and enhancing water quality now and for future generations throughout the region.
To award grants to organizations providing education in the appreciation of and preservation of our environment, with particular emphasis on the understanding of our water resources, the negative impacts of development and other activities on water quality, and the benefits to water quality and the environment of preserving watershed land as open space.

Eligibility

Types of Organizations Eligible to Apply for Grants:Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizationsRegional health districtsMunicipalitiesPublic and private schools and collegesProjects must benefit or have a meaningful relation to the residents of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District. The District is comprised of: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby. East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Killingworth, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Prospect, Seymour, West Haven and Woodbridge.Selection of land parcels for acquisition of interest or other forms of protection will be based on several factors, including:Land must be located within the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority’s public drinking water supply watershed or aquifer protection areas.
Land must enhance the Authority’s water supply protection program giving due consideration to parcel size, location, protection of watercourses, wetlands and steep slopes, zoning, and development potential.
Acquisition eliminates an in-holding within Regional Water Authority property.
Property location is adjacent to other Authority property or protected open space thereby expanding watershed and open space protection.
Property improves access to existing Authority property and/or boundary maintenance.Grants are made only for the purchase of an interest in land.As a condition of any grant for land acquisition, The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund, Inc. requires that the property purchased in whole or part with grant funds be (1) classified as Class I or II watershed land as described in CT General Statutes 25-37(c) or eligible for such classification, or (2) subject to a permanent conservation easement held by an entity acceptable to The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund, Inc. Applications must include at least one appraisal of the property that is the subject of the application by a certified appraiser within six (6) months of the date of the application; and a copy of a Purchase and Sale Agreement on the property that is the subject of the application executed by all parties.

Ineligibility

Associated transaction costs are not eligible for grant funding.Grant funds will not be available for property acquired prior to the date of the grant application; once the grant application is submitted, applicants may proceed at their risk with closing prior to receiving a determination from The Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund, Inc.