Land Aquisition and Conservation RFP Grant

The Lake Champlain Basin Program invites proposals for land acquisition or conservation easements in the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain Basin. The initiative aims to enhance water quality and ecosystems while prioritizing projects that protect native habitats and provide flood resiliency. Funding ranges from $100,000 to $4 million per project, supporting efforts that align with LCBP’s goals, including increasing public access to recreational areas as a secondary benefit.

The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (“LCBP”) and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (“NEIWPCC”) are pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the acquisition of land or conservation easements on land located in the U.S. portion of the Lake Champlain Basin to further LCBP’s goals, as outlined in LCBP’s Management Plan entitled Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin.
Awards from this competition will support projects resulting in the acquisition of fee simple interest or conservation easements with the primary goal of advancing Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems in alignment with LCBP’s core goals. Priority will be given to projects that protect or improve water quality, enhance aquatic, riparian, or shoreline habitat for native species or provide flood resiliency. Opportunities to increase public access for recreation, along with other benefits consistent with LCBP goals, will be considered as co-benefits but should not be the primary purpose of projects supported through this program.
Requests for funds solely to support stewardship costs associated with existing conserved lands will not be considered
Each applicant may request a minimum of $100,000 up to a maximum of $4,000,000 for an individual proposal. Multiple proposals will be accepted from a single organization in response to this RFP.