Lower Esopus Stream Management Implementation Plan Grants

The Lower Esopus Stream Management Implementation Plan Grants, administered by the Hudson River Foundation, aim to support projects that mitigate water quality impairments in the Lower Esopus Stream. This initiative focuses on actionable projects addressing turbidity, stormwater management, and nutrient loads, among others. By funding these projects, the program seeks to enhance environmental benefits and ensure a healthier ecosystem. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with the priorities outlined in the Implementation Plan.

The Hudson River Foundation (HRF or the Foundation) was selected in 2013 to serve in an administrative, fiduciary and programmatic role to support the implementation of the Lower Esopus Stream Management Plan (Order on Consent No: D007-0001-11 with New York City as amended in 2023). HRF’s role includes supporting environmental benefit projects as part of a local funding program to address impacts that may be associated with turbidity in the Lower Esopus Stream.
The focus of this request reflects our interest in making headway on the central challenges to the Lower Esopus Stream and the need to initiate tangible steps in the near term. More specifically, we seek to fund implementable projects that will have a direct impact on reducing water quality impairments. Subsequent requests will provide opportunities for other important focus areas that are outlined in the IP.
In general terms, each proposal should detail how a specific project will lead to the intended result(s). Areas of particular interest for this first solicitation include but are not limited to:
Mitigating turbidity and sediment loadsImproving stormwater managementReducing nutrient loads and eutrophication, including from non-point sourcesReducing sediment sources through shoreline and hillside stabilizationImproving management of septic system to reduce pathogen and nutrient sourcesUnderstanding and mitigating flood risk and associated episodic inputs of impairments from stormwater
Applicants should carefully consider the projects identified in the IP and how their successful completion will address these priorities.