Land Conservation for Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems Grant

The Land Conservation for Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems grant aims to acquire land or conservation easements in the Lake Champlain Basin. With a funding pool of up to $4 million, eligible projects must prioritize clean water and healthy ecosystems while considering public access as a co-benefit. Supported by the U.S. EPA, this initiative encourages competitive proposals that enhance water quality and habitat for native species.

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. 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.
Up to $4,000,000 is available to support awarded projects. 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.
This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC on behalf of the LCBP by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Eligibility

Eligible costs supported by this award include the purchase price of the fee simple interest or conservation easement to be held and conserved in perpetuity. Costs leading to the purchase of a fee simple interest or conservation easement also are eligible, including, but not limited to, the cost of title insurance, surveying and mapping expenses, appraisal costs, closing costs, including documentation and legal fees, the cost of developing conservation management plans, stewardship expenses, and staffing expenses to prepare a purchase or easement, including outreach to communities in support of the agreement. Projects that include acquisition of the identified parcel(s) or conservation easement(s) are likely to be more competitive.Eligible organizations are entities authorized by the corresponding State law (New York or Vermont) to hold conservation easements or property titles within these jurisdictions. These entities may include land trusts, not-for-profit organizations, or non-federal/non-state government entities.