Infrastructure

Please join the Long Island Sound Partnership and the CT Sea Grant Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team at the 3rd Annual SRC Funding Workshop for Connecticut! The event is free and lunch will be provided.

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm (lunch will be provided)

Location: Gateway Community College – Curran Community Room (N100), 20 Church St, New Haven, CT 06510

Registration will be required by March 26th

Attendees will hear from program officers representing various local, state, and regional funding organizations and be able to engage in discussions with funders to explore project ideas and ways to improve funding applications. Attendees will also hear from a panel of successful awardees about their experiences and strategies. The workshop is intended for municipal officials and staff, nonprofits, community organizations, and other interested groups in the Long Island Sound region.

Draft Agenda:

• Lightning Talk Presentations from Funders – local, state, federal, and Long Island Sound-focused funding opportunities
• Lunch (provided)
• Successful Awardees Panel – Hear from communities that have been successful in applying to these grant opportunities
• Roundtable Discussions – Participants encouraged to interact with funders and panelists

Featured Funding Opportunities:

• Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
• Congressionally Directed Spending 
• CT Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Team (CTBILT) & CT Fed Funds Team
• CT DECD Community Investment Fund
• CT DECD Office of Brownfield Remediation & Development
• CT DEEP CERCLA 128(a) Brownfield Grant Program
• CT DEEP Climate Resilience Fund
• CT DEEP Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program
• CT DEEP Recreational Trails
• CT DEEP Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants
• CT DEEP Urban Green & Community Gardens Grant Program
• CT Federal Funding Planning Team
• CT Land Conservation Council
• Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund
• Long Island Sound Futures Fund
• Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund
• New England Environmental Finance Center
• UConn Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB)

Email lisresilience@gmail.com with questions.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for fiscal year 2025 Clean Water Section 319 grants.  Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act (Section 319) is a Federal program to control nonpoint sources (NPS) of water pollution.  Connecticut receives funds from EPA for Section 319 grants that can be passed onto communities, local conservation groups, and other organizations for NPS implementation projects, plans, and statewide NPS management efforts.

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund awards small grants in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The GROW GRANTS program is actively accepting applications from grassroots groups across New England. These grants fund small, volunteer-driven groups in New England working on issues including food access, immigrant support, climate resilience, youth work, mutual aid, and more. This program is geared toward groups with experience organizing in their community and have at least THREE leaders who are actively involved in group decision-making. Grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

The Long Island Sound Crossing Prioritization Tool can be used to prioritize road-stream crossings (culverts and bridges) for ecological, infrastructure, and community resilience benefits in Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk County, NY. The tool helps communities plan improvements that restore habitat for diadromous fishes, strengthen infrastructure, and keep communities connected.

Developed by Save the Sound in partnership with Seatuck Environmental Association and The Nature Conservancy, the Long Island Sound Crossing Prioritization Tool was built by CivicMapper and is hosted on ArcGIS Online. It is intended to be a resource for municipalities, especially parts of municipal government that make infrastructure or environmental decisions for their communities, by making it easier to apply for grant funding. The tool is a useful resource for agency partners and fellow environmental organizations working to accelerate river restoration and protect communities from a changing climate.

Please join the Long Island Sound Partnership and NY Sea Grant Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team at the 3rd Annual Long Island Funding Workshop! The event is free and lunch will be provided.

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Time: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM (lunch will be provided)

Location: Hyatt Regency Long Island (1717 Motor Parkway Hauppauge, NY)

Registration is required

Attendees will hear from program officers representing various local, state, and Long Island Sound funding organizations and be able to engage in discussions with funders to explore project ideas and ways to improve funding applications. Attendees will also hear from a panel of successful awardees about their experiences and strategies. The workshop is intended for municipal officials and staff, nonprofits, community organizations, and other interested parties.

View the Draft Agenda for the list of featured funding opportunities!

Email lisresilience@gmail.com with questions.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced multiple funding availability notices of the Brownfields Program. The following programs are included:

1. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Remediation & Limited-Assessment (up to $6M)
2. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Assessment-Only (up to $200K)
3. Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program (up to $6M)
4. Brownfield Area-wide Revitalization Grant Program (up to $200K)

The total funding available across all Round 23 programs is $25 million.

The Trust for Governors Island has announced the launch of the 2026 Climate Solutions Challenge, the third annual cycle of its Climate Piloting Program designed to support early stage climate innovators. This year’s Challenge focuses on the theme of urban climate adaptation, asking how new solutions can help communities remain safe and healthy, reduce disruptions to essential services, and improve overall quality of life in cities. Selected participants will have the opportunity to pilot their climate products and services on Governors Island in New York Harbor, gaining access to rent-free physical space, technical support, visibility through events and marketing, and connections to investors, funders, and public-sector partners.

The USGS Long Island Sound Partnership Compound Flood Hazard Web Map Application is an interactive tool developed by the U.S. Geological Survey’s New York Water Science Center that helps users explore the combined impacts of multiple flooding drivers across the New York and Connecticut coastal regions. Drivers of compound flooding included in the assessment were precipitation, coastal (storm surge, tidal), and groundwater emergence, which when combined can lead to more severe and widespread inundation than from any single cause alone.

The map visually displays hazard rankings and spatial patterns of flood drivers so that planners, emergency managers, researchers, and the public can better understand where these flood hazards are most likely to coincide, thus supporting local decision making for flood mitigation, coastal planning, and resilience strategies. The application is based on USGS models and ongoing research into regional flood processes.

The NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), housed at the Hudson River Foundation, is offering funding to help local governments and nonprofit organizations strengthen community resilience to recurring extreme weather across the Hudson Raritan Estuary watershed. This Request for Proposals supports projects that advance research, planning, and on the ground infrastructure aimed at reducing climate driven risks such as flooding, storm impacts, and related water quality challenges. A total of $350,000 will be distributed across approximately four to six grants for projects that can be completed by June 30, 2027.

This opportunity allows Connecticut communities to submit water resource project priorities for consideration in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2026. WRDA is a federal process led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that authorizes studies and projects related to flood risk management, coastal and shoreline protection, dredging and navigation, and ecosystem restoration. Authorization through WRDA is an important first step toward potential federal funding, though it does not guarantee that funding will be awarded. Projects typically require a non-federal cost share and must fall within the mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. General information is available here: Water Resources Development Acts: Primer and Action in the 119th Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress. See the Solicitation Letter at the link for Connecticut-specific guidance.

The U.S. DOT’s BUILD grant program provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. The eligibility requirements of BUILD allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs. Projects can be for planning or construction and are evaluated by their ability to address: safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation.

The BUILD program was previously known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants.  

Check out our interactive map to learn about living shoreline projects located in the marine district of New York. 

More information about living shorelines and their benefits can be found on the NYSDEC Living Shorelines webpage.

UConn CLEAR is offering a series of engaging webinars this winter, including an in-depth session on Connecticut’s ongoing Lidar and orthoimagery project. This presentation will explore the statewide effort that began in 2022 and continues through 2026. Speakers from Dewberry will explain the data products created from the 2023 acquisition and highlight how these datasets are being used in planning, mapping, environmental analysis, and other geospatial applications. The session is designed to help participants understand the importance of high quality elevation and imagery data in supporting statewide decision making.

The webinar will also discuss potential uses for these datasets in the coming years and provide a preview of the planned 2026 acquisition and delivery. Participants will gain insight into how Lidar and orthoimagery support climate resilience work, infrastructure planning, land use analysis, and broader environmental assessments. This session is open to anyone interested in geospatial data, statewide imagery, or Connecticut’s evolving GIS resources, and registration is available through UConn CLEAR.

This UConn CLEAR webinar provides an updated overview of Connecticut’s ongoing statewide Lidar and orthoimagery project. Dewberry’s technical team will introduce the data products generated from the 2023 acquisition and explain how these datasets are being used across environmental planning, land management, infrastructure mapping, and community decision-making. The session is designed to help participants understand the value of high resolution elevation and imagery data and how these resources support public agencies, researchers, and local communities.

The webinar will also look ahead to the 2026 phase of the project, offering insight into expected updates, new deliverables, and potential applications for longterm statewide planning. Attendees will gain a stronger understanding of how Lidar and orthoimagery fit into Connecticut’s geospatial data strategy and how these datasets can support climate resilience, hazard mapping, and improved environmental analysis. This session is open to anyone interested in GIS, remote sensing, or the state’s evolving geospatial data resources.

The EPA’s Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grants provide funding for communities that need support to assess, plan, and remediate brownfield sites affected by hazardous substances and petroleum contamination. Through this program, municipalities, tribes, and nonprofit organizations can complete environmental investigations, develop cleanup strategies, begin remediation work, and strengthen their overall capacity to reduce environmental health risks. These grants help communities improve land use, address blight, and move toward safer and more sustainable redevelopment.

The program includes four types of funding that together support the full brownfield process. Multipurpose Grants allow a community to combine assessment, planning, and cleanup activities within one award. Assessment Grants cover site investigations, environmental reviews, and prioritization work. Cleanup Grants support remediation at specific sites, including soil and groundwater treatment. Revolving Loan Fund Grants provide funding that communities can lend or subgrant to support continued cleanup activities. EPA also offers extensive support resources that include recorded trainings, narrative guidance materials, checklists, and application tools to help applicants prepare strong proposals. Connecticut applicants are encouraged to reach out to UConn’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program for assistance.

The Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) is now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 cycle. This opportunity is open to all New England communities, and selected applicants will receive free technical assistance from UConn’s Technical Assistance for Brownfields (TAB) program. Support is provided through graduate students and faculty in the UConn Brownfield Redevelopment course, giving communities access to high quality research, planning tools, and redevelopment guidance at no cost.

The NYC Stormwater Flood Maps show areas in New York City that are at risk of flooding during heavy rain. The tool provides interactive maps that let users explore neighborhood-level flood risk and understand how stormwater might affect streets, homes, and critical infrastructure. It helps residents, planners, and local organizations identify vulnerable areas and make decisions about preparedness, emergency planning, and long-term resilience.

These maps also bring together important environmental and social data, making it easier to compare neighborhoods, see patterns, and understand which communities may face the greatest challenges during extreme weather.

A start guide for addressing flooding and erosion in coastal communities. Learn about the steps communities can take to adapt along with different adaptation strategies. 

The Atlas of Inspiration is a national database that highlights real projects helping communities adapt to extreme weather, flooding, heat, and sea-level rise. It showcases innovative infrastructure, planning strategies, and funding approaches that can be adapted or scaled by other communities. The Atlas is designed to celebrate successful ideas and give decision-makers examples they can use when seeking state or federal funding.

The Atlas is fully searchable, allowing users to browse projects by type, climate hazard, or location. It builds on Rebuild by Design’s earlier work including the Atlas of Disaster and the Atlas of Accountability by showing not only the risks communities face, but the solutions that are already making a difference.

Rebuild by Design also invites communities to share their own climate resilience projects for inclusion in the Atlas. Submissions help expand the collection and highlight new approaches being used across the country.

Connecticut’s Severe Weather Mitigation and Resiliency Advisory Council was created to help the state better prepare for the growing risks of hurricanes, flooding, and other severe weather events. According to the Council and the CT Insurance Department, many Connecticut homes especially older buildings or houses in coastal and urban areas are highly vulnerable to wind and flood damage. The Council’s final report explains that severe weather is becoming more expensive for families, and many residents lack the insurance or financial resources to recover after storms. To address this, the Council recommends strengthening partnerships with programs like Energize CT, Habitat for Humanity, and the CT Green Bank, and promoting upgrades such as IBHS Fortified™ roofs, which can reduce damage from high winds. They also emphasize the need for public education about flood risk, insurance awareness, and preparedness, along with long-term actions like statewide grant programs, tax credits, and expanded training for contractors and evaluators. Together, these efforts aim to help Connecticut residents protect their homes, reduce storm damage, and build a safer, more resilient future.

You can view the complete Final Report (2025) in PDF format

The “Funding and Financing Coastal Resilience” webinar series from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management offers a comprehensive foundation for understanding how coastal resilience projects are funded and financed. These 30- to 45-minute recorded sessions break down complex approaches into accessible lessons, featuring experts who share real world examples, emerging strategies like environmental impact bonds and tax-increment financing, and ways to overcome common obstacles to funding such work. As a resource, the series is ideal if you’re looking to generate ideas, explore different financing pathways, and build your capacity to access and manage funding for nature-based or infrastructure-driven resilience efforts.

This report provides on guidance on ways to adapt the Shoreline Greenway Trail to the increasing frequencies of heavy rain, wildfires, hurricanes, flood events, and storm surges. The report defines what we mean by resilience for a trail in coastal Connecticut, identifies climate impacts facing the trail now, and in the years to come, shares design suggestions that could build resiliency on existing and new sections, and explores how the trail itself can be essential to wider community resiliency.

The National Estuary Program (NEP) Watersheds Grant Program is a nationally competitive grants addressing the most pressing threats to estuarine health within the 28 NEP boundary areas. This program is offered through Restore America’s Estuaries, with funding from the U.S. EPA.

The GSI Impact Hub is an interactive platform that provides tools, research, and data to help communities plan and evaluate green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects. GSI uses natural systems like plants, soil, and stone to manage stormwater on-site reducing flooding, improving water quality, and creating healthier, more resilient neighborhoods. The Hub includes a benefits calculator, educational resources, and guidance to support city planners, advocates, and policymakers in designing projects that maximize environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Explore the GSI Impact Calculator, Detailed Resource Library, and Project Background to better understand how GSI can reduce flooding, improve water quality, and build climate-resilient neighborhoods.

The Long Island Watershed Action Agenda is a clear-cut blueprint for water quality improvements, aquatic habitat conservation, groundwater protection, and the public engagement necessary to ensure success for the surface, coastal, and ground waters of Nassau and Suffolk counties. The Long Island Watershed Action Agenda is an evolution of the success of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) and will expand the scope of its work beyond nitrogen reduction.

Signed into law on November 25, 2024, the bipartisan BEACH Act (BEACH Act; Pub. L. 118-117) reauthorizes the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) and updates maps for 454 coastal units across 13 U.S. states, including Connecticut. The revised Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) maps are now effective and available through the CBRS Mapper

The BEACH Act expands eligibility for federal flood insurance and financial assistance in areas removed from the CBRS, while limiting new federal funding in areas added to the system. It also introduces new requirements for CBRA disclosures during real estate transactions, guidance for emergency coastal projects, and research initiatives on coastal barrier ecosystem dynamics.

Agencies involved:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey.

On October 8, 2025 state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address flooding, shoreline erosion and other coastal issues gathered at the Port Jefferson Village Center in Port Jefferson, NY for the 3rd Annual Suffolk County Coastal Resilience Forum. The Forum provided a chance to share information on best practices, discuss challenges, identify opportunities to increase resilience, and enhance coordination across communities. Forum attendees heard updates on State resilience initiatives from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, as well as presentations on new resilience tools and resources from Seatuck Environmental Association, the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Sea Grant, and Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District. In the afternoon, Village of Port Jefferson Mayor, Lauren Sheprow, presented on the Village’s resilience issues and initiatives and then led attendees on a walking tour of the Village highlighting flooding hotspots, challenges faced by local businesses and residents, and efforts to help mitigate flooding and increase community resilience.

The event was hosted by Long Island Sound Partnership and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with the Village of Port Jefferson and Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District. 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is accepting applications for the next round of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF). DEEP is making available up to $44 million in state and federal funds to support planning, project advancement, and construction to help Connecticut’s communities build resilience to extreme weather. The current Notice of Funding Opportunity opens the next application period for Planning (resilience planning) and Advancement (project design) and introduces a Deployment (project implementation) category that includes an expanded matching funds program and a Request for Proposals for the construction of energy resilience infrastructure.

This year, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Recreational Trails Program will make up to $1 million available for trail projects. All projects utilizing CT Recreational Trails Grant funds must be accessible to the public. Grant amounts vary and will depend upon the availability of currently uncommitted state funds.

CT DEEP is convening Sustainability & Resiliency Week, an initiative designed to bring together State agencies, external partners, and individuals to celebrate the work being done across Connecticut. A variety of organizations are holding workshops, panel discussions, academic lectures, and more. To stay informed and get involved: 

Sign Up for Updates: Subscribe to the newsletter for featured events and special announcements related to the week. 

Visit the Events Page: Keep an eye on the dedicated events page (linked below) for the latest updates and schedules. This page has detailed information and registration for all the activities taking place throughout the week. 

The Connecticut Association of Flood Managers (CAFM) will convene its 12th Annual Conference and Meeting at the Central Connecticut State University Student Center in New Britain, Connecticut on Thursday, November 20, 2025. A cornerstone of CAFM’s mission is to educate a broad range of professionals regarding recent flooding concerns and other issues and problems associated with managing flood risk, making communities more resilient, disaster recovery, and the protection of floodplains. Our goal for this conference is to examine the current challenges facing Connecticut and share experiences and lessons learned as flood managers and municipal officials.

Save the Date – Registration coming soon!

CT DEEP recently released a new tool allowing users to search for DEEP financial assistance programs based on a variety of parameters such as eligibility requirements, grant cycle status, project types, and more. This resource and offers “one-stop shopping” for many DEEP funding opportunities.

The Funders Network (TFN) has launched a new pilot funding opportunity that will leverage infrastructure funds to train and expand career pathways for local workers in critical industries. The Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative is aimed at supporting communities with investments and technical expertise to effectively implement equitable infrastructure projects. This funding is not for the physical infrastructure itself, but for the human infrastructure needed to create meaningful collaborations and center community engagement.

National Geographic Society is seeking to fund impactful projects driving science-based solutions to the growing threat of extreme weather events and natural hazards such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, droughts, floods, heatwaves and severe storms. Projects should aim to increase adaptability and resilience to these events and demonstrate tangible positive impacts on people and nature. Successful projects will demonstrate sufficient engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure that project development and implementation are carried out for at-risk human communities and natural systems. Proposals for both new and ongoing projects will be considered. We encourage projects in regions most vulnerable to extreme weather events and natural hazards, as well as regions that currently have limited capacity for research and implementation.

Join Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) for the 2025 Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop taking place from October 29 – 30 in New Haven, Connecticut. This event, hosted by Restore America’s Estuaries and Doherty Climate and Resilience Institute at Save the Sound, will present a unique platform to learn, engage, and exchange knowledge with professionals, experts, and stakeholders in the field of coastal and estuarine habitat restoration. Our focus will be on Living Shorelines – an innovative and nature-based solution to shoreline stabilization and ecosystem conservation.

Join us at the Long Island Sound Suffolk County Coastal Resilience Forum for an opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired! 

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (rain or shine)

Time: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Location: Port Jefferson Village Center (101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson , NY 11777)

Register by September 30. Contact elizabeth.hornstein@cornell.edu for more information. 

This forum will bring together state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address coastal issues to share information on best practices, identify opportunities to increase resilience, and enhance coordination across communities. Participants will hear from NY state, regional, and local partners about resilience initiatives and learn about new tools and resources. We will end the forum with a walking tour of Port Jefferson Village to hear about the Village’s resilience initiatives, successes, and challenges.

View the DRAFT AGENDA.

The event is free. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. 

Please note, most parking lots in the Village have metered parking. We can reimburse travel expenses and parking fees, up to $150/person (for those that do not have travel budgets through their employers) on a first come first serve basis. 

This event is hosted by Long Island Sound Partnership and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with Nassau & Suffolk Soil and Water Conservation District.  

*The event is intended as a learning experience for adults 18 years of age or older. 

Click here to register for the Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum (October 9, 2025) or other events happening during Long Island Sound Coastal Resilience Month! 

2025 Nassau Coastal Resilience Forum field trip to Sands Point Preserve. Credit: Sumayyah Uddin / NYSG

On October 9, 2025 state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address flooding, shoreline erosion and other coastal issues gathered at the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy in Sands Point, NY for the 3rd Annual Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum. The Forum provided a chance to share information on best practices, discuss challenges, identify opportunities to increase resilience, and enhance coordination across communities. Forum attendees heard updates on State resilience initiatives from agencies like the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, as well as presentations on new resilience tools and resources from Seatuck Environmental Association, the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Sea Grant, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, and Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District. In the afternoon, Forum attendees were given a guided tour of the recent expansions to the bluff stabilization project at the Preserve.

The event was hosted by Long Island Sound Partnership and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy and Nassau and Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation Districts. 

This website contains New York City’s Federal Emergency Management Agency–mandated Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies natural hazard risks and vulnerabilities that are common to New York City (NYC) and long-term strategies for reducing them. It also features a Mitigation Actions Database and Map that tracks and records actions that are taken to mitigate risk from the hazards profiled in the Hazard Mitigation Plan.​

This portal contains the comprehensive dataset of awarded projects for the Water Quality Improvement Project Program (WQIP) and the Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG). Data is displayed simultaneously on a map and data table and can be filtered by Grant Program, Applicant, County, Project Type, and Funding Source.

The Long Island Sound watershed is home to nearly 9 million people in parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Canada. Government agencies, nonprofits, and Tribal Nations have overseen numerous projects to monitor and protect the water resources of this watershed and the sound. Although there is an abundance of data, there is no easy way to search them or a central place to manage this information. To help, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Study have created an interactive map to help users find and understand data about the water resources of the Long Island Sound and its watershed.

This mapping tool does not host data or maintain data repositories. Instead, it compiles and presents metadata from publicly accessible databases managed by State and other organizations.

Refer to this fact sheet for details about the application and its data sources: The Long Island Sound and Watershed Metadata map application

This interactive map published by the CTDOT in March 2025 allows users to view data layers that make up the state-owned and maintained drainage network across Connecticut. Culvert locations are included, as well as their water source, material components, type of conveyance, diameter, length, last inspection date, and maintenance information. Note that an ArcGIS login is required to access this resource.

This fact sheet produced by the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) reviews how culverts are defined in Connecticut, explains their connection to climate resilience, provides examples of how Connecticut towns are addressing needs for upgraded culverts, and highlights related resources.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage Program) to provide funding for projects that would meaningfully improve or restore passage for anadromous fish (anadromous fish species are born in freshwater such as streams and rivers, spend most of their lives in the marine environment, and migrate back to freshwater to spawn).

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

The NYS Department of State (NYSDOS) is soliciting applications from eligible towns, villages, cities, counties, regional planning entities and not-for-profit organizations to support the creation, or modification of comprehensive plans, area plans, or zoning codes to align with smart growth principals.

The Long Island Sound Study will host a series of public meetings to discuss and finalize the Stewardship Strategy. The Strategy aims to provide a framework in support of the 33 Stewardship Areas of the Initiative. The draft of the Strategy will be shared for public comment March 10 – May 9. View the Draft Strategy here. Comments can be submitted to Cayla Sullivan at Sullivan.Cayla@epa.gov.

The last meeting in the series will be held on June 4th 11 am – 1 pm and will summarize the input and ideas for advancing the Stewardship Strategy!

This study by the Regional Plan Association assessed how flooding will threaten housing in Long Island, NYC, and Westchester County in the coming decades. It found that by 2040 as many as 1.6 million people could live in areas exposed to flooding and as many as 82,000 housing units could be lost, exacerbating housing shortages. The report includes recommendations for an integrated approach to land use planning and policy initiatives to create resilient communities.

This competitive grant program through the NYS Environmental Facilities Cooperation is designed to support flood-prone communities in implementing transformative green infrastructure projects that combat the effects of extreme weather. Eligible projects must utilize green infrastructure (GI) stormwater management practices (SMPs) and/or nature-based solutions to manage combined and/or sanitary sewer overflows and/or mitigate risks associated with extreme weather events.

EPA WaterTA aims to assist communities with applications for federal funding, quality infrastructure, and reliable water services in partnership with drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities and local government. If your community is facing drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater challenges, you can submit a request for no-cost, direct assistance using the WaterTA Request Form. Please note that WaterTA is not a grant program, nor does it provide direct monetary assistance. 

Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known as Community Project Funding or Earmarks, are funding requests for high-impact, Connecticut-based projects that can be completed with assistance from the federal government. The project must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the accounts listed.

The 2^nd Annual Learning Exchange will bring together current and new grant recipients to highlight completed projects benefiting the Long Island Sound estuary. Organizations will share their work, challenges, and successes via breakout sessions. Attendees will also have opportunities to participate in workshops, network, strengthen ties, and build community. This annual event aims to be a knowledge and tech share of projects within a collaborative framework.

The Target Audience includes:

• 2024 and 2025 Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund Subawardees

• Tribal Groups, Organizations, Institutions, and Municipalities located in Connecticut and New York focused on environmental projects in the Long Island Sound estuary
• Coastal conservation, restoration professionals, students, and early career professionals working in environmentally distressed communities

Northeast Regional Ocean Council, The Nature Conservancy, and Consensus Building Institute invite you to join us for a lunch-and-learn Living Shorelines Webinar. We look forward to sharing key insights from our recent living shorelines training workshops in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts, where we explored how site suitability, design, regulatory considerations, community outreach, and adaptation all contribute to the success of living shorelines in New England. This webinar is geared towards planners, engineers, consultants, and coastal practitioners.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced multiple funding availability notices under Round 22:

1. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Remediation & Limited-Assessment (up to $6M)
2. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Assessment-Only (up to $200K)
3. Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program (up to $6M)
4. Brownfield Area-wide Revitalization Grant Program (up to $200K)

The total funding amount available for all Round 22 notices is $25 million.

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

The Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) is a locally led, state-supported program that empowers municipalities to take action to improve and protect their public water sources and surrounding environment. Communities accepted into the program will work with technical assistance providers to develop and initiate implementation of their unique Drinking Water Source Protection Program, leading to actionable steps each municipality can take to protect their drinking water sources now and into the future. DWSP2 is open to all community public drinking water supplies in New York regardless of size or water source.

Municipalities in the Mid-Hudson, Long Island or New York City with median household income equal to or less than $110,000 are eligible for planning grants. Planning grants help communities prepare to apply for financing through EFC’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund. They fund the development of an engineering report, which is required to be eligible for financing. This program helps ensure fiscally sound and well-designed projects are advancing to construction.

The Green Innovation Grant Program supports projects across New York State that utilize unique EPA-designated green stormwater infrastructure design and create cutting-edge green technologies. Competitive grants are awarded to projects that implement one or more of the following green practices: green stormwater infrastructure, energy efficiency, water efficiency and environmental innovation.

$45 million will be made available through the NYSDEC for the RWG Program. The program seeks to build on the success of the Resilient NY program and advance the State’s goal of strengthening water infrastructure and protecting New Yorkers from the impacts of extreme weather. The overall goal of the RWG program is to implement projects that build community resilience to extreme weather events, promote flood risk and ice jam reduction and/or restoration, enhance flood and climate resilience, implement natural and nature-based feature construction, or ecologically sustainable projects while supporting healthy riparian habitats. This funding is for the construction/implementation of projects, not projects exclusively for planning and/or design. The RWG program is open to local governments, Indian Nations, County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, State agencies, and not-for-profit corporations.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program was established in 2014 and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ORLP is a nationally competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grant program. It was created to aid disadvantaged, urban communities that lack access to close-by outdoor recreation. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or substantial renovation of, public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

Entities interested in seeking funding under the ORLP program should contact their State’s Lead Agency (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for Connecticut; Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation for New York) to get details about their state’s process for selecting and submitting projects to the NPS’ national competition.

Up to $10 million in non-federal matching funds to support communities applying for the
Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
program (FEMA BRIC). DEEP’s Matching Funds for FEMA BRIC program is a new funding initiative and is part of the new Deployment category of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF). DCRF supports implementation and construction for community and energy resilience projects.

FEMA BRIC funds pre-disaster hazard mitigation and climate adaption
projects that will enable communities to withstand or rapidly recover from future disasters. For fiscal
year 2024 funds, FEMA is prioritizing projects that align with multiple BRIC program objectives and
the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan. These objectives include addressing multiple hazards,
incorporating risk-informed nature-based solutions, eliminating disparities across disadvantaged
communities, and mitigating current and future risk to public infrastructure.

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team held our 2024 Annual Workshop virtually as three sessions over two days. Session topics focused on our assistance programs, new regional resilience resources and tools, and a discussion on planning for inundation and different considerations communities may face.

Session 1 – SRC Resilience Assistance Programs was held on Tuesday, December 10th from 10-11:30 AM. Participants learned about our Sustainable and Resilient Communities resilience assistance programs and heard from communities who have successfully utilized them to advance resilience project plans, build capacity, and secure competitive grant funding!

The Ida Homeowner Repair and Reimbursement Program (IHRR), through NYS Homes and Community Renewal, provides funding to home owners to repair damage caused by Hurricane Ida in 2021.  Available assistance includes: 1) Reimbursement for the cost of repairs, reconstruction, and/or elevation completed and paid for out-of-pocket prior to IHRR application (includes costs paid for using private loans) 2) Grants to repair remaining damage caused by the storm, and 3) Reimbursement or grant funding for the cost of mitigation measures like elevating mechanicals, floodproofing, flood vents, and sewer backflow valves.

The Connecticut Housing Data Hub provides users the ability to explore several categories of state- and town-wide housing data over time. Available data on the dashboard includes permitting, housing stock, rent burden, and housing programs.

FEMA’s National Resilience Guidance document is intended to help all individuals, communities, and organizations understand our nation’s vision for resilience, the key principles that must be applied to strengthen resilience, and the players and systems that contribute to resilience. It also outlines how to strengthen resilience by organizing and engaging people, incorporating resilience concepts into planning efforts, creating change through policies, prioritizing projects and programs, financing resilience efforts, and measuring and evaluating resilience. Finally, the NRG includes a Resilience Maturity Model that illustrates stages in the evolution of a community’s approach to resilience.

This workbook made by Groundwork Bridgeport provides a thorough but accessible introduction to green stormwater infrastructure. The workbook explains the issues that green infrastructure can help solve, introduces several green infrastructure methods, and then provides definitions, explains why each is uses, and details how to build them.

EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative is offering no-cost climate change risk assessment technical assistance to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities, as well as other water sector stakeholders. Through this technical assistance process, CRWU will assist approximately 75 water sector utilities / communities in identifying long-term climate change adaptation strategies, as well as potential funding options to implement adaptive measures.

The Fifth National Climate Assessment is the US Government’s preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks, and responses. It is a congressionally mandated interagency effort that provides the scientific foundation to support informed decision-making across the United States.

The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, available through the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and US DOT, makes awards on a competitive basis for projects that reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development.

This program provides funding for a variety of transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments.

The permitting process for shoreline modification projects is complex and it can be daunting to know where to begin. Check out New York Sea Grant’s NEW Guide to Permitting Shoreline Modification Projects in New York’s Tidal Waters for an overview of the process informed by federal, state, and local perspectives. It is intended for permit applicants using the New York State Joint Application for shoreline construction or modification, ranging from major to minor projects such as construction of floating docks, installing natural and nature-based features, bulkhead repair, development near a wetland, dredging, and invasive species removal.

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is pleased to announce the availability of $60 million in grant funding through the inaugural round of the Green Resiliency Grant (GRG) program under the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act). The new program will prioritize grants to flood-prone communities and help them undertake innovative green infrastructure projects such as green roofs, green streets, and permeable pavement.

Awards small grants in support of grassroots efforts and community-based environmental work in New England. The Grassroots Fund utilizes participatory grantmaking to move resources to New England grassroots groups working at the intersections of Environmental Justice. The program is geared toward groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. Grants support groups to deepen their work by further developing a community vision, lowering barriers to participation, identifying new stakeholders, and working to bring more voices and lived experiences into core decision-making processes.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program was established in 2014 and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ORLP is a nationally competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grant program. It was created to aid disadvantaged, urban communities that lack access to close-by outdoor recreation. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or substantial renovation of, public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

Projects may include any or all manner of outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, camping, unstructured play, picnicking, cycling, field and court sports, fishing, bird watching, swimming pools, paddling, and skating, as well as for outdoor recreation facilities and some supporting facilities and infrastructure like restrooms/bathhouses, or parking areas, when part of an overall recreation project.

This resource outlines six different federal mitigation funding programs. It provides an overview of available options and links to learn more information and apply.

Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known as Community Project Funding or Earmarks, are funding requests for high-impact, Connecticut-based projects that can be completed with assistance from the federal government. The project must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the accounts listed.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program is a competitive program that provides funding to states, federally recognized Tribal governments, U.S. territories, and local governments. Since the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was signed into law, funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The BRIC program’s guiding principles are to support communities through capability and capacity building, encourage and enable innovation; promote partnerships, enable large projects, maintain flexibility, and provide consistency.

New York Sea Grant and Connecticut Sea Grant are providing grant preparation and writing capacity to New York and Connecticut communities that are pursuing funding for sustainability and resilience-focused projects. This technical assistance program helps municipalities and community organizations develop successful grant proposals and develop capacity for navigating the funding landscape. 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA’s) Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Framework, 3^rd Edition, is a guide and collection of resources for use in analyzing the impacts of climate change and extreme weather on transportation infrastructure. Its purpose is to identify key considerations, questions, and resources that can be used to design and implement a climate change vulnerability assessment. The processes, lessons learned, and resources outlined in the framework are geared toward state departments of transportation (DOTs), metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and other agencies involved in planning, building, or maintaining the transportation system. It includes suggestions and examples applicable to a wide range of applications, from small qualitative studies to large, detailed, data-intensive analyses. The resources included in the framework will be added to and updated over time.

The Long Island Sound Watershed Land Cover Viewer contains all dates of land cover as well as Change To, Change From, Riparian Area Land Cover, and Impervious Surface Estimate layers. It also has many layers where HUC 12 watersheds are colored based on a single land cover. 

Connecticut Environmental Conditions Online (CT ECO) is the collaborative work of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)  and the University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) to share environmental and natural resource information with the general public. CT ECO’s mission is to encourage, support, and promote informed land use and development decisions in Connecticut by providing local, state and federal agencies, and the general public with convenient access to the most up-to-date and complete natural resource information available statewide.

CT ECO includes a variety of online maps and tools for viewing Connecticut’s environmental and natural resources as well as high resolution aerial imagery, elevation data, and land cover. The Advanced Map Viewer provides flexibility to turn on and off layers of the map.

To better understand how Connecticut’s coastal area marshes and roads may respond to sea level rise (SLR), Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) was applied to Connecticut’s shoreline by Warren Pinnacle Consulting, Inc. This viewer displays the model’s results for Connecticut’s 21 largest marshes and all coastal area roads. For marshes, SLAMM was run two hundred times using alternative model inputs for key model parameters, including various SLR scenarios, to produce probability based results of likely future marsh conditions. For roads, the model uses a single SLR scenario of about 4.2 feet by 2100 from the base year of 2002. The Sea Level Rise Effects on Roads and Marshes projects is a project between CT DEEP and UConn CLEAR.

Clean Water Act Section 604(b) Water Quality Planning Grants fund regional comprehensive water quality management planning activities as described in Section 604(b) of the federal Clean Water Act. 604(b) funds are to be used for water quality management planning activities, such as determining the nature, extent and causes of point and nonpoint source water pollution problems, and developing plans to resolve these problems.

DEC typically issues a Request for Applications (RFA) every 3-5 years and awards funds to multi-year projects.

Emergency financial assistance is available to municipalities for wastewater and drinking water system issues that pose hazards to public health, public welfare or the environment. The amount is based on the reasonable costs immediately necessary to address the emergency. The financial assistance is to be repaid within one year.

Assistance can be provided within two business days of a determination by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) or Department of Health (DOH). Your will have to formally declare an emergency and submit an application.

Nassau County has initiated a septic system replacement program for residents, small businesses, and nonprofits – Septic Environmental Program to Improve Cleanliness (SEPTIC). The SEPTIC program will reimburse eligible recipients that replace a conventional or failing septic system with an innovative and alternative onsite wastewater treatment system.

Under this program, homeowners who replace their cesspool or septic system with new Innovative and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A OWTS) technologies may be eligible for grants from New York State and Suffolk County that enable them to purchase and install a nitrogen removal septic system and leaching structure.

The BRIDGE NY Program provides enhanced assistance for local governments to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts on public highways/roadways. Particular emphasis will be provided for projects that address poor structural conditions; mitigate weight restrictions or detours; facilitate economic development or increase competitiveness; improve resiliency and/or reduce the risk of flooding. Priority consideration may also be given to projects that provide benefits to Environmental Justice Communities.

The Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) is a locally led, state-supported program that empowers municipalities to take action to improve and protect their public water sources and surrounding environment. Communities accepted into the program are provided free technical assistance to develop their own unique DWSP2 plan, leading to actionable steps the municipality can take to protect their drinking water sources now and into the future.

The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) program provides competitive grants to help municipalities affordably undertake critical wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. The program demonstrates New York State’s nation-leading commitment to upgrading water and sewer systems, reducing water pollution, and safeguarding vital drinking water supplies from emerging contaminants and toxic chemicals.

The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Intermunicipal Grants (IMG) program is available for both drinking water and wastewater projects that serve multiple municipalities, such as a shared water quality infrastructure project or the interconnection of multiple municipal water systems.

The Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG) is a competitive, reimbursement grant program that funds planning reports for nonpoint source water quality improvement projects and mapping of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The program aims to prepare nonpoint source projects for implementation funding, and to encourage and support cooperation among regulated MS4s to complete mapping of their stormwater system.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) WQIP funds implementation projects to improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source.

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program was established in 2016 to provide grants to cities, towns, villages, and counties of the State of New York for eligible climate change mitigation, adaptation, and planning and assessment projects. Funds are available for two broad project categories – implementation and certification. The first project category supports implementation projects related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (mainly outside the power sector), climate change adaptation, and engineering feasibility studies for flood mitigation and Hydrofluorocarbons. The second supports planning and assessment projects aligned with Climate Smart Communities certification actions.