97207003

Description: A cooperative agreement is provided to Hudson River Foundation for Science and Environmental Research, Inc. to support implementation of the NY/NJ Harbor and Estuary' Program's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and accompanying Action Plan prepared by Hudson River Foundation and stakeholders to improve the water quality, protect the natural habitat and living resources, and support sustainable human uses of the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Estuary. This agreement also supports the Urban Waters Federal Partnership which aims to stimulate regional and local economies, create local jobs, improve quality of life, and protect Americans' health by revitalizing urban waterways in under-served communities across the country.

Activities: The activities to be performed are specified within the NY-NJ Harbor and Estuary Program's FY 2023 Annual Budget and Workplan attached to this funding recommendation, and support the NYNJ Harbor and Estuary Programs 2017 - 2025 Action Agenda. Actions include supporting green infrastructure to improve water quality, reduce sources of trash and floatables to the harbor, restore and conserve wetlands and other habitats, incorporate sea level rise into restoration and habitat management practices, increase tributary connections to the harbor, advance opportunities to increase public access (particularly in disadvantaged communities), work closely with the Urban Water Partnership Ambassadors in disadvantaged communities, and provide an important platform for communication between federal, state, local and non-governmental organization partners to support the health of the estuary.

Subrecipient:
- Subaward - will provide support for Passaic Urban Waters Ambassador Urban Waters Workplan and projects
- Subaward - will support partner engagement in HEP Management Committee agendas and minutes
- Subaward - will support for outreach and shoreline clean ups: WQ#8208;B#8208; 5 final report
- Subaward - will support community-based monitoring efforts for American eels: H#8208;C#8208;1: Habitat monitoring. Final reports
- Subaward (match) Hudson River Foundation research support will provide support for research on the Hudson River and estuary with final reports
- Subaward (match) Hudson River Biological Monitoring Program research support for the contaminant and reduction program with final reports

Outcomes: Anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes and intended beneficiaries included in the FY 2023 workplan include:
1) Quarterly water quality workgroup meetings and continuous monitoring practitioners subcommittee, including minutes. Government, scientist, and public stakeholders.
2) Prepare shared waters water quality communications brochure. Federal, state, and public stakeholders.
3) Continue to maintain non-governmental water quality monitoring database. All stakeholders in the estuary.
4) Plan and hold annual conference and various workshops on the state of the NYNJ Harbor Estuary. All stakeholders in the estuary.
5) The restoration workgroup will continue to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers, states, and local governments to identify appropriate ecosystem restoration projects, with priority sites in disadvantaged communities. All stakeholders in the estuary.
6) Support the Passaic River and Bronx/Harlem Urban Water Ambassadors for science and outreach programs. Disadvantaged communities on the Passaic and Bronx and Harlem rivers.
7) Annually prepare data for EPA regarding all stakeholder restoration and habitat creation in the NYNJ Harbor Estuary Program's geographic area for EPA NEPORT. EPA HQ and all stakeholders in the estuary.
8) Work with communities to identify existing and proposed public access sites, and update existing 'Paddlers Guide to the Estuary'. Community users of the estuary.
9) Prepare annual report of actions. EPA and stakeholders in the estuary.

Hudson River Foundation For Science & Environmental Research

5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.2 - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS

66.456 - National Estuary Program

EPA Region 2: New York City [EPA - RO]

Orange, New York United States

County-Wide

EPA-CEP-01

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 09/30/24 to 09/30/27 and the total obligations have increased 275% from $1,634,000 to $6,134,000.