Riverkeeper praises $75 million in state grants for water infrastructure improvements

For Immediate Release

December 15, 2015

Contact: Leah Rae, Staff Writer and Media Specialist
914-478-4501, ext. 238

Statement from Riverkeeper Water Quality Program Manager Dan Shapley:

“These grants will help clean the Hudson River and its tributaries, preserve community character, enhance property values and protect the many people who swim, boat and fish in our waters. We thank the Governor and Legislature and ask that they build on this great initial round of grants by increasing the funding available in the 2016-2017 budget, to help meet the current, $6 billion need for water infrastructure funding.”

Background:
Riverkeeper is a leader in the coalition of organizations that advocated for the creation of the New York Water Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2015, a new grant program for communities to invest in wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. The coalition includes groups representing environmental, municipal, economic development and water user interests, and is requesting $800 million be allocated in the next state budget to increase grants available for critical water infrastructure projects statewide.