Resources for

Policies & Regulations

Events

2nd Annual SRC Funding Workshop – Long Island, NY

The Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) team will host the 2nd Annual Long Island Regional Funding Workshop on Thursday, March 27, 2025 9:30 am – 2:30 pm in Hauppauge, NY to provide information on funding opportunities to support sustainability and resilience projects. The event is free and lunch will be provided.

The Workshop location details, registration, and agenda will be coming soon!

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 resources and recording from last year’s Long Island Funding Workshop, held on March 28, 2024.

New York State
Infrastructure
Green Infrastructure
Marine Debris
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Funding/Grants
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Erosion
Water Quality
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Training

Land Use Leadership Alliance (LULA)Training Program – Fall 2024

With funding from Long Island Sound Study and support from New York Sea Grant’s Sustainable and Resilient Communities Extension Professionals, Pace University’s Land Use Law Center brought its award-winning Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program to Suffolk and Nassau municipalities within the Long Island Sound watershed. The training program consisted of three full-day workshops held in Hauppauge, NY that focused on the land use system, innovative approaches to sea level rise adaptation, hazard mitigation, and natural resource protection to strengthen community planning, regulation, and informed decision-making. 28 municipal staff and community leaders, representing 18 different Long Island Sound communities, completed the Program. Program graduates gained new networks of support, identified successful land use techniques, and developed implementation plans that will enable a more resilient future for their community and the Long Island Sound region.

The program comprised three full-day sessions on September 27, October 4, and October 18, 2024 at the Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center, 260 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge, NY.  

If you are interested in learning more and participating in a future LULA training, please email lisresilience@gmail.com.

New York State
Land Use
Sea Level Rise
Planning
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement

Report

Level of Effort:

Opportunities for Federal Support of Community-Driven Relocation

Community-driven relocation describes a situation where a community decides it will relocate,
in whole or in part, to reduce the risk faced by communities and individuals. This Community-Driven Relocation Subcommittee report provides background on community-driven relocation, an
overview of the current federal legal and programmatic landscape, and potential next steps that
Federal agencies can take, as part of a whole-of-government approach, to support communities
contemplating relocation.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Land Use
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Incentive Programs
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations

Report

Level of Effort:

Strategic Flooding Mitigation for Connecticut: Challenges and Solutions

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) recently released a comprehensive report on understanding and addressing the occurrence of local flooding. Developed in collaboration with leading engineering firm Fuss & O’Neill, the study was motivated by the need to address the growing concerns surrounding flood risks across Connecticut. The report evaluates current flood management practices and outlines a series of strategic interventions actionable recommendations to enhance community resilience.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Stormwater Management
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement

Training

3rd Annual SRC Workshop: Session 3 – Planning for Inundation

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 3 – Planning for Inundation was held on Wednesday, December 11th from 10 AM-12 PM. Participants heard from communities and regional entities that are using or considering different aspects of planning for inundation, including buyout programs, land use policies, and community perspectives on retreat/relocation.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Incentive Programs
Planning
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant CT Sea Grant NY

Training

3rd Annual SRC Workshop: Session 2 – Resilience Tools

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 2 – Resilience Tools was held on Tuesday, December 10th from 1:30-3:30 PM. Participants learned about new Resilience Tools being developed and used throughout coastal Long Island Sound.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant NY Sea Grant CT

Training

3rd Annual SRC Workshop: Session 1 – SRC Resilience Assistance Programs

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!

New York State
Connecticut State
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Funding/Grants
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Sea Level Rise
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant NY Sea Grant CT

Funding

: Dec 5 – Feb 28, 2025

$45k-100k for 1-year projects; $75k-150K for 2-year projects

Partners for Places – Round 22

Partners for Places aims to enhance local capacity to build equitable and sustainable communities in the United States and Canada. These matching awards support the planning and implementing of urban sustainability and green stormwater infrastructure projects.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure

Training

Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum & Field Trip

On October 28, 2024, state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address coastal issues gathered at the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy in Sands Point, NY to identify opportunities to increase resilience, learn about best practices, and enhance coordination across communities. There were presentations on the Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub & Assistance Programs, NYSDEC Office of Climate Change updates, marsh conservation planning, bluff management and restoration, and nature-based solutions to increase shoreline resilience. There was also a guided walking tour of the resilience projects at Sands Point Preserve.

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

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant NY Nassau Coastal Erosion Forum

Events

3rd Annual SRC Workshop: Session 3 – Planning for Inundation

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team is excited to announce that for our 2024 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of virtual sessions over two days 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 3 – Planning for Inundation 

Join us on Wednesday, December 11th from 10 AM-12 PM to hear from communities and regional entities that are considering different aspects of planning for inundation, including buyout programs, land use policies, and community perspectives on retreat/relocation.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure

Events

3rd Annual SRC Workshop: Session 2 – Resilience Tools

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team is excited to announce that for our 2024 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of virtual sessions over two days 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 2 – Resilience Tools

Join us on Tuesday, December 10th from 1:30-3:30 PM to learn about new Resilience Tools being developed and used throughout coastal Long Island Sound!

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure

Events

3rd Annual SRC Workshop: Session 1 – SRC Resilience Assistance Programs

The Long Island Sound Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Team is excited to announce that for our 2024 Annual Workshop we are holding a series of virtual sessions over two days 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

Join us on Tuesday, December 10th from 10-11:30 AM to learn about our Sustainable and Resilient Communities resilience assistance programs and hear from communities who have successfully utilized them to advance resilience project plans, build capacity, and/or secure competitive grant funding!

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure

Events

CT Sustainability & Climate Week: Rebuild by Design’s Atlas of Accountability

As extreme weather continues to impact the U.S., Rebuild by Design has launched the Atlas of Accountability, a mapping tool designed to help communities and policymakers understand their localized climate-fueled exposure to extreme weather disasters. Building on Rebuild by Design’s 2022 report, “Atlas of Disaster,” this tool analyzes county-level extreme weather disaster declarations and post-disaster federal assistance. The analysis highlights the urgency of bipartisan cooperation and the need to unite across the urban-rural divide.

Presenter: Judy Huynh, Rebuild by Design
Hosted By: Juliana Barrett, CT Sea Grant & UConn CLEAR

Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

FEMA National Resilience Guidance: A Collaborative Approach to Building Resilience

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.

New York State
Connecticut State
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement

Training

Suffolk County Coastal Resilience Forum & Field Trip

On October 29, 2024, state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address coastal issues gathered at the Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp in Riverhead, NY to identify opportunities to increase resilience, learn about best practices, and enhance coordination across communities. There were presentations on the Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub, NYSDEC Climate Office updates, marsh conservation planning, bluff management and restoration, and nature-based solutions to increase shoreline resilience. There was also a field trip to Iron Pier Beach/Maidstone Landing to view and learn about a community bluff restoration project.

This event was hosted by Long Island Sound Study and New York Sea Grant, in partnership with Nassau and Suffolk Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Nassau CCE, and Maidstone Landing. 

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant NY Suffolk SWCD Cornell Cooperative Extension

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Rebuild by Design Atlas of Accountability

Interactive map with county-level disaster declaration information and Congressional Districts for 2011-2023. Also includes a fact sheet and tables.

New York State
Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Plan

Level of Effort:

Rebuild by Design Atlas of Disaster: New York

National Report with State-based County-level data detailing the experiences of communities as a result of climate change. State reports include eight maps that show where major disasters have occurred, where post-disaster support has been given, where the most socially vulnerable populations reside, and the energy reliability by utility area. It also provides county-level disaster data within State Assembly, Senate, and Congressional district boundaries.

New York State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Events

Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum & Field Trip

Join us at the Nassau County Coastal Resilience Forum for an opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired! 

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

This forum will bring together state and local decision makers, municipal staff, and other interested parties working to address flooding, shoreline erosion and other coastal issues. The goal of these forums is to share information on best practices, discuss challenges, identify opportunities to increase resilience, and enhance coordination across communities. You will hear presentations from state, regional, and local partners about planning for sea level rise, coastal monitoring, and resilience techniques and case studies. In the afternoon, there will be a guided walking tour of the resilience projects at Sands Point Preserve! More detailed information will be provided closer to the date.

Date: Monday, October 28th, 2024 (rain or shine)

Time: 9:15 AM-3:30 PM

Location: Sands Point Preserve Conservancy – Castle Gould, Great Hall

127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, New York 11050

Register by October 23rd. Contact sarahschaefer-brown@cornell.edu for more information.

Included: Refreshments and lunch will be provided. The Preserve admission fee will be waived for participants.

We can also reimburse travel expenses up to $150/person (for those that do not have travel budgets through their employers) on a first come first serve basis

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

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure

Events

Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program (LULA)

The program comprises three full-day sessions from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm scheduled for September 27, October 4, and October 18 with sessions taking place at the Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center, 260 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge, NY 11788.  

If you would like to participate, you must commit to attending all 3 days. 

Details:

Due to the generous support of the Long Island Sound Study and New York Sea Grant, Pace University’s Land Use Law Center will bring a unique training program to New York municipalities within the Long Island Sound. The curriculum for this program will emphasize the land use system, innovative approaches to sea level rise adaptation, economic development, hazard mitigation, and natural resource protection to strengthen community planning, regulation, and informed decision-making. Best management practices and technical assistance and community engagement on land use planning and regulation will also be provided.

The Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program (LULA) is designed to help leaders along the Long Island coast create new networks of support, identify successful land use techniques, and develop implementable local strategies that will enable a more resilient future for the region.

The program will be conducted by the Land Use Law Center of Pace Law School, one of the country’s preeminent groups dedicated to fostering the development of sustainable communities through the promotion of innovative land use strategies and collaborative decision-making techniques. The program will be offered free of charge and will provide continuing legal education credits for attorneys and satisfies the four hour training requirement for local board members. CM credits are being requested, as well.

We’d love to have your community participate in the program. We are looking for at least 2-3 local leaders from your community to attend the program.

If you are interested please email lisresilience@gmail.com.

New York State
Land Use
Planning
Policies & Regulations

Events

Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program (LULA)

The program comprises three full-day sessions from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm scheduled for September 27, October 4, and October 18 with sessions taking place at the Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center, 260 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge, NY 11788.  

If you would like to participate, you must commit to attending all 3 days. 

Details:

Due to the generous support of the Long Island Sound Study and New York Sea Grant, Pace University’s Land Use Law Center will bring a unique training program to New York municipalities within the Long Island Sound. The curriculum for this program will emphasize the land use system, innovative approaches to sea level rise adaptation, economic development, hazard mitigation, and natural resource protection to strengthen community planning, regulation, and informed decision-making. Best management practices and technical assistance and community engagement on land use planning and regulation will also be provided.

The Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program (LULA) is designed to help leaders along the Long Island coast create new networks of support, identify successful land use techniques, and develop implementable local strategies that will enable a more resilient future for the region.

The program will be conducted by the Land Use Law Center of Pace Law School, one of the country’s preeminent groups dedicated to fostering the development of sustainable communities through the promotion of innovative land use strategies and collaborative decision-making techniques. The program will be offered free of charge and will provide continuing legal education credits for attorneys and satisfies the four hour training requirement for local board members. CM credits are being requested, as well.

We’d love to have your community participate in the program. We are looking for at least 2-3 local leaders from your community to attend the program.

If you are interested please email lisresilience@gmail.com.

New York State
Land Use
Planning
Policies & Regulations

Events

Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program (LULA)

The program comprises three full-day sessions from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm scheduled for September 27, October 4, and October 18 with sessions taking place at the Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center, 260 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge, NY 11788.  

If you would like to participate, you must commit to attending all 3 days. 

Details:

Due to the generous support of the Long Island Sound Study and New York Sea Grant, Pace University’s Land Use Law Center will bring a unique training program to New York municipalities within the Long Island Sound. The curriculum for this program will emphasize the land use system, innovative approaches to sea level rise adaptation, economic development, hazard mitigation, and natural resource protection to strengthen community planning, regulation, and informed decision-making. Best management practices and technical assistance and community engagement on land use planning and regulation will also be provided.

The Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program (LULA) is designed to help leaders along the Long Island coast create new networks of support, identify successful land use techniques, and develop implementable local strategies that will enable a more resilient future for the region.

The program will be conducted by the Land Use Law Center of Pace Law School, one of the country’s preeminent groups dedicated to fostering the development of sustainable communities through the promotion of innovative land use strategies and collaborative decision-making techniques. The program will be offered free of charge and will provide continuing legal education credits for attorneys and satisfies the four hour training requirement for local board members. CM credits are being requested, as well.

We’d love to have your community participate in the program. We are looking for at least 2-3 local leaders from your community to attend the program.

If you are interested please email lisresilience@gmail.com.

New York State
Land Use
Planning
Policies & Regulations

Report

Level of Effort:

Zoning Strategies to Reduce Pollution of Inland Waters and Resultant Hypoxia of Long Island Sound

WEST COG developed this riparian zoning publication that is primarily focused on water quality, but also is highly relevant to climate mitigation.

Connecticut State
Land Use
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Planning
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

A Guide to Permitting Shoreline Modification Projects in New York’s Tidal Waters

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.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Infrastructure
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands

Funding

: Feb 15, 2025

$500 - $1,000

Seed Grants Program

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.

Connecticut State
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Marine Debris
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Feb 15, 2025

up to $9,950

Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program

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. 

New York State
Connecticut State
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Marine Debris
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Nov 21 – Nov 21, 2024

$10-20M (Track 1), $1-3M (Track 2)

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants

EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.

New York State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Resilient Connecticut: Climate Resilient Zoning

Guidance and training modules for Connecticut Zoning changes to address climate vulnerabilities. On the website there are examples of zoning policies municipalities could modify and/or adopt to enhance local climate resilience. Where applicable, model ordinances and examples of where the policies have been adopted are included.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Land Use
Sea Level Rise
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands

Funding

: May 14 – Jul 31, 2024

$50K-$2M for implementation grants, $10K-200K for certification grants

NYS Climate Smart Communities

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program was established in 2016 to provide 50/50 matching 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 and climate change adaptation. The second supports planning and assessment projects aligned with NYS Climate Smart Communities certification actions.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Planning
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Waste Management
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: May 14 – Jul 31, 2024

$50K-$3M

NYSDOS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

Local Waterfront Revitalization Program provides grants to municipalities along New York’s coasts or designated inland waterways to advance the preparation or implementation of strategies for community and waterfront revitalization through the following grant categories: 1) Preparing or Updating a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), 2) Updating an LWRP to be more Resilient to Climate Risk,s 3) Preparing an LWRP Component, including a Watershed Management Plan, and 4) Implementing a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program or a completed LWRP Component.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Planning
Recreation & Access
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Funding

: Feb 15 – Feb 27, 2024

up to $2,000

The Connecticut Society for Women Environmental Professionals Grant Program

The Connecticut Society for Women Environmental Professionals Grant Program provides funding for local projects in Connecticut that benefit the environment. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded. Any application meeting the grant guidelines that is not successful in one cycle may reapply during any following cycle. The applications will be judged based on the environmental benefits of each project, in comparison to others. “Environmental benefits” can vary widely and successful applications have ranged from property clean-ups to environmental education.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Marine Debris
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Water Quality
Erosion
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Mar 20 – Sep 17, 2024

$1,000 - $4,000

Grow Grants Program

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.

Connecticut State
Water Quality
Green Infrastructure
Marine Debris
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Funding

: Feb 15, 2025

Up to $5000

Community Match Fund

Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund is an innovative program that provides fast, flexible funding and support for engaging your community on wide-ranging sustainability projects. Eligible projects receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds from Sustainable CT.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Planning
Incentive Programs
Infrastructure
Water Quality
Erosion
Environmental Justice
Economic Impacts
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Environmental Health Hazards
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Case Study

East Haddam, CT

East Haddam Community Resilience Building Summary of Findings

With support from the Nature Conservancy and Sustainable CT, East Haddam organized a Community Resilience Building process and workshop, the results of which were compiled into this summary. The team engaged with community members to determine the present hazards and vulnerabilities and identify resilient solutions.

Connecticut State
Water Quality
Waste Management
Wetlands
Community Engagement
Policies & Regulations
Funding/Grants
Extreme Weather & Storms
Recreation & Access
Infrastructure
Erosion
Stormwater Management
Aquatic Resources
Sea Level Rise
Nature-based Solutions
Land Use
Habitat
Flooding

Plan

Level of Effort:

Suffolk County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Suffolk County and the local governments within Suffolk County developed a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan, which documents risks from natural hazards and strategies to mitigate hazards.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Website

Level of Effort:

NYSDEC Permits, Licenses, and Registrations

Use this website to find New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) permits, licenses, registrations or certifications.

New York State
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

NYSDEC/NYSDOS Model Local Laws to Increase Resilience

The New York State Department of State worked with the Department of Environmental Conservation and other partners to create model local laws to help local governments be more resilient to sea-level rise, storm surge, and flooding. Cities, towns, and villages are invited to adapt model local laws to meet the resilience needs of the community with the assistance of their municipal attorneys.

New York State
Flooding
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Stormwater Management
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands
Green Infrastructure

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

NYSDEC/NYSDOS Using Natural Measures to Reduce the Risk of Flooding and Erosion

This document developed in support of the NYS Community Risk and Resiliency Act 1) Describes natural resilience measures and how they can be used to mitigate the risks of flooding and erosion, 2) Provides definitions for different types of natural resilience measures and distinguishes among conserved, restored, nature-based and hard structural approaches, 3) Provides information on the value and benefits of using natural resilience measures, along with information on the co-benefits they provide, 4) Lists key factors to consider in the restoration, design and construction of natural resilience measures, and 5) Provides background to support the development of NYS agency guidance on natural resilience measures in the future

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Ready to Fund Resilience Toolkit

This toolkit describes “how” local government leads and partners can design more fundable projects by pulling specific policy levers, seeking key partnerships, using innovative accounting practices, inverting power structures, and rethinking and redesigning internal processes. It will help local government leads and partners operate within current finance and policy systems to better prepare themselves and their communities for climate resilience funding and finance.

New York State
Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Incentive Programs
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations

Plan

Level of Effort:

Rebuild by Design Atlas of Disaster: Connecticut

National Report with State-based County-level data detailing the experiences of communities as a result of climate change. State reports include eight maps that show where major disasters have occurred, where post-disaster support has been given, where the most socially vulnerable populations reside, and the energy reliability by utility area. It also provides county-level disaster data within State Assembly, Senate, and Congressional district boundaries.

Connecticut State
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Website

Level of Effort:

Reduce Flood Risk – Library of Flood Mitigation Strategies and Resources

ReduceFloodRisk.org was developed by the Association of State Floodplain Managers to help property owners and buyers in flood prone areas identify strategies to reduce their properties risk of flooding.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

RISE Local Assessment Tool (EPA/FEMA)

The Resilience Implementation and Strategic Enhancements (RISE) Local Assessment Tool helps you approach hazards and risks comprehensively; and assess and refine your laws and policies in a way that improves resilience and helps achieve desired community outcomes. The tool works by assessing two critical elements of building resilience:
the “how” – once identified, resilience-enhancing measures can be successfully integrated into existing land use laws, building codes, and planning policies; and
the “what” – gaps in policies and regulations that support resilience.

New York State
Connecticut State
Land Use
Policies & Regulations

Plan

Suffolk County Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan: A Roadmap to Reclaim Our Water

The Suffolk County Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan serves as a county-wide roadmap for how to address nitrogen pollution through wastewater upgrades and other nitrogen pollution mitigation strategies. It was developed in collaboration with numerous project partners, stakeholders, and technical experts, and is the product of rigorous, science-based evaluations.

New York State
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Policies & Regulations

Plan

Superstorm Sandy Review Task Force Report to the Legislature: Looking to the Past to Prepare for the Future

The Superstorm Sandy Review Task Force conducted an in-depth review of the preparation for and response to Superstorm Sandy in Suffolk County by government agencies, first responders, nonprofits and private sector entities to determine which measures were effective and what actions must be taken in the future to increase resiliency and improve response to extreme weather events.

New York State
Flooding
Sea Level Rise
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

CT DEEP: Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual

This website provides an overview of each chapter of Connecticut’s new Stormwater Quality Manual, which includes guidance on how to design, install, and maintain these types of practices.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Policies & Regulations

Story Map

Level of Effort:

CLEAR: The State of Low Impact Development in Connecticut

This story map by the by the UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) shows a snapshot of Connecticut Municipalities’ Low Impact Development Policies (LID) that are included plans of conservation and development, zoning/subdivision regulations, and stormwater/LID design manuals.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Policies & Regulations

Website

Level of Effort:

Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan

The Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) is a multiyear initiative to reduce the amount of nitrogen entering Long Island’s groundwater and surface water from wastewater (sewer and septic systems), stormwater runoff and fertilizers. LINAP is led by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) along with Suffolk and Nassau counties, with input from multiple partners and stakeholders. Learn more about LINAP and actions you can take to reduce nitrogen to Long Island’s waterways.

New York State
Water Quality
Policies & Regulations

Story Map

Level of Effort:

Westchester County Hazard Mitigation Plan Story Map

This Story Map was developed to provide an overview of the Westchester County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) to facilitate county-wide access to the plan. The Westchester County HMP was developed to provide a roadmap to resilience by identifying hazards affecting the county and its communities.

Erosion
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Website

Sustainable CT

Sustainable CT provides a wide-ranging menu of resilience best practices, opportunities for grant funding, and a voluntary certification program that recognizes thriving and resilient CT communities. Municipalities choose Sustainable CT actions, implement them, and earn points toward certification.

Connecticut State
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Long Island Water Reuse Road Map and Action Plan

Seatuck and the Greentree Foundation, in association with Cameron Engineering, initiated the Long Island Water Reuse Roadmap and Action Plan to catalyze the implementation of water reuse on Long Island and ensure that the strategy plays a larger and more meaningful role in safeguarding the region’s drinking water and surface water resources.

Water Quality
Infrastructure
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Georgetown Climate Center Managed Retreat Toolkit

This toolkit features legal and policy tools, best and emerging practices, and case studies to support learning and decision making around managed retreat and climate adaptation. It is meant to be used by state, territorial, and local policymakers in U.S. coastal jurisdictions

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Infrastructure
Policies & Regulations

Website

Level of Effort:

Connecticut Coastal Permitting

Contains guidance documents and information on coastal permitting from the State of Connecticut.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Infrastructure
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Connecticut Coastal Hazards Management

Provides information about coastal hazard management in Connecticut including steps for developing plans and responses.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Sea Level Rise
Policies & Regulations

Mapper

Level of Effort:

Connecticut Environmental Conditions Online (CTEco) — CTDEEP & CLEAR

Connecticut-specific site with maps, data, and visualization tools. Contains: Blue Plan, MS4 Viewer, CT Parcel Viewer, Sea Level Rise Effects on Roads & Marshes, CT DEEP Fish Community Data – Inland Waters, CT Aquaculture Mapping Atlas, CT Coastal Hazards Viewer, Carbon Stock & Land Cover Viewer

Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Connecticut Shellfish Restoration Guide

This Guide provides planning tools, regulatory information, and best management practices to jumpstart shellfish restoration-based project planning.

Connecticut State
Habitat
Aquatic Resources
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

CT DEEP Coastal Property Owner’s Guide

Guidance for coastal property owners, buyers, contractors, or real estate professionals to understand if a shoreline structure, construction, or repair requires a permit.

Connecticut State
Infrastructure
Policies & Regulations

Plan

Level of Effort:

Expanding FEMA’s Benefit Cost Analysis: Chittenden Living Shoreline Case Study

An effort by Save the Sound and Earth Economics to identify opportunities for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies and funders to improve the ability of benefit-cost analysis tools to account for ecosystem-based benefits.

New York State
Connecticut State
Nature-based Solutions
Economic Impacts
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands

Incentive Program

FEMA Community Rating System

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Incentive Programs
Policies & Regulations

Data

Level of Effort:

NYS Sea Level Rise Projections

New York State sea level rise projections. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is currently updating these projections.

New York State
Sea Level Rise
Policies & Regulations

Incentive Program

NYS Climate Smart Communities

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) is a New York State program that helps local governments take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate. The program offers grants, rebates for electric vehicles, and free technical assistance. Registered communities have made a commitment to act by passing the CSC pledge. Certified communities are the foremost leaders in the state; they have gone beyond the CSC pledge by completing and documenting a suite of actions that mitigate and adapt to climate change at the local level. Find your local CSC Coordinator to start!

New York State
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations

Incentive Program

NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Clean Energy Communities (CEC) program helps local governments to implement clean energy actions, save energy costs, create jobs, and improve the environment. In addition to providing tools, resources, funding opportunities and technical assistance, the program recognizes and rewards leadership for the completion of clean energy projects and guides a path toward the Clean Energy Communities designation. Find your local CEC Coordinator to start!

New York State
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations

Story Map

Level of Effort:

NY Sea Grant Long Island Dynamic Shorelines

This story map examines the coastal processes and hazards of Long Island and provides options for sustainable and resilient shoreline management. Information is useful for coastal managers, planners and coastal property owners.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Habitat
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Environmental Health Hazards
Sea Level Rise
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Wetlands

Plan

Level of Effort:

Nassau County Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Nassau County Hazard Mitigation Plan was developed through a year-long interactive planning process in close coordination with stakeholders. The process included identifying the hazards of concern within the County, assessing those hazards, estimating risk, and developing a strategy to mitigate risk to these hazards throughout the County.

New York State
Erosion
Flooding
Environmental Health Hazards
Infrastructure
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

CT MS4 Guide

Providex guidance and tools to help Connecticut municipalities and institutions comply with the MS4 general permit.

Connecticut State
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Policies & Regulations

Mapper

Level of Effort:

FEMA Flood Map Service Center

The FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) is the official public source for flood hazard information produced in support of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Use the MSC to find your official flood map.

New York State
Connecticut State
Flooding
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

An Extreme Heat Toolkit for Connecticut Municipalities

Provides resources that help Connecticut’s municipal leaders fill gaps in local
extreme heat planning including
1. Communication templates
2. Cooling center best practices
3. A diverse collection of policy and planning actions
4. Advice on creating a heat response plan
Also provides Connecticut-specific information on how extreme heat impacts the
health of residents, especially vulnerable people, and extreme heat safety tips.

Connecticut State
Environmental Health Hazards
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Website

Level of Effort:

CLEAR: Center for Land Use Education and Research

CLEAR, a program of UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, provides information, education, and assistance to land use decision makers, in support of balancing growth and natural resource protection.

Connecticut State
Land Use
Nature-based Solutions
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Policies & Regulations

Mapper

Level of Effort:

CIRCA Connecticut Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Viewer

Shows various SLR scenarios and flood event scenarios calibrated for the Long Island Sound CT coast. Also includes FEMA Limit of Moderate Wave Action boundary for referencing building codes.

Connecticut State
Flooding
Sea Level Rise
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

American Planning Association (APA) Hazard Mitigation Policy Guide

A policy guide to that outlines the hazard mitigation planning process, including consideration of how to enhance awareness of risks and efforts to improve community preparedness, health, resilience, and sustainability in the face of both natural and human-caused hazards. The guide also discusses adaptation, response, and recovery—including decisions about whether and how to rebuild following a disaster.

New York State
Connecticut State
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

American Planning Association (APA) Equity in Zoning Policy Guide

This policy guide identifies specific ways in which the drafting, public engagement, application, mapping, and enforcement of zoning regulations can be changed to dismantle the barriers that perpetuate the separation of historically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.

New York State
Connecticut State
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

American Planning Association (APA) Climate Change Policy Guide

A policy guide to help formulate position statements, legislative recommendations, and other policy-based actions, and to recommend program funding at the federal and state government levels.

New York State
Connecticut State
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations

Guidance Tool

Level of Effort:

Adapt CT (CTSG & CLEAR) – Climate Adaptation Academy

Aimed at municipalities, this website provides workshop materials and legal issue fact sheets on topics relating to climate adaptation, including living shorelines, flooding, liability, shoreline boundaries, and more.

Connecticut State
Erosion
Flooding
Nature-based Solutions
Policies & Regulations

Training

SRC Annual Bi-State Workshop 2023

The second annual Long Island Sound Bi-State Sustainable and Resilient Communities Workshop brought together nearly 200 people virtually on Dec. 7, 2023 to learn about a new Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub (launching in early 2024), hear from communities and groups around the Sound working on resilience planning, and consider pathways for updating codes and ordinances. Videos of the workshop’s six sessions are available on YouTube. They can be accessed below along with supporting documents.

New York State
Connecticut State
Erosion
Sea Level Rise
Economic Impacts
Environmental Justice
Stormwater Management
Water Quality
Infrastructure
Incentive Programs
Extreme Weather & Storms
Funding/Grants
Policies & Regulations
Community Engagement
Green Infrastructure
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant CT Sea Grant NY

Training

Long Island Sound Coastal Erosion Forum- Nassau County

Held at Locust Valley Library in Nassau County on May 4, 2023, this forum brought together state and local decision makers and other stakeholders, working to address coastal erosion along the Long Island Sound shoreline. Panelists highlighted strategies and options to address coastal erosion, discussed the Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas Program, local codes, updated New York State sea level rise projections and more. During small group discussions, attendees discussed challenges and identified opportunities to increase resilience, all in an effort to enhance coordination across communities. This forum was hosted by New York Sea Grant and Long Island Sound Study, in partnership with Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District.

New York State
Erosion
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant NY Nassau Coastal Erosion Forum

Training

Long Island Sound Coastal Erosion Forum- Suffolk County

Held at Port Jefferson Village Center in Suffolk County on May 10, 2023, this forum brought together state and local decision makers and other stakeholders, working to address coastal erosion along the Long Island Sound shoreline. Panelists highlighted strategies and options to address coastal erosion, discussed the Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas Program, local codes, updated New York State sea level rise projections and more. During small group discussions, attendees discussed challenges and identified opportunities to increase resilience, all in an effort to enhance coordination across communities. This forum was hosted by New York Sea Grant and Long Island Sound Study, in partnership with Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District and Suffolk County Legislators Sarah Anker, Stephanie Bontempi, Kara Hahn, and Al Krupski.

New York State
Erosion
Nature-based Solutions
Sea Level Rise
Extreme Weather & Storms
Policies & Regulations
Suffolk SWCD Suffolk County Long Island Sound Study Sea Grant NY