Hudson River Estuary Grants for River Access Round 49

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is offering approximately $250,000 in grant funding through the Hudson River Estuary Grants for River Access Round 49. This initiative supports projects that align with the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda to improve public access for fishing, swimming, boating, and wildlife-dependent recreation on tidal waters. Eligible projects must be located within the Hudson River Estuarine District, extending from the Troy dam to the Verrazano Narrows. Funding is available for the development of plans, purchase of equipment, and construction of physical improvements, with individual grant awards ranging from a minimum of $10,500 to a maximum of $100,000. The contract term spans three years, from September 1, 2027, through August 31, 2030. All projects must adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act 2010 Standards for Accessible Design and are encouraged to incorporate storm resiliency and sea-level rise considerations. Applications must be submitted electronically via the NYS SFS Grants Management System by December 17, 2026. Bids are evaluated on a pass/fail eligibility basis followed by a technical scoring process that considers cost-effectiveness, bidder experience, and alignment with Regional Economic Development Strategies. Awardees must comply with various state mandates, including Minority and Women Business Enterprise goals of 30 percent and a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business goal of 6 percent. Mandatory certifications include policies on sexual harassment prevention, gender-based violence in the workplace, and compliance with Executive Order 16 regarding business operations in Russia. Selected grantees will be required to execute a State of New York Contract for Grants, which includes a detailed work plan, expenditure-based budget, and a payment schedule based on quarterly reimbursement requests.