12-09-2006, 11:13 AM
Governor Rell Announces $266,000 in LI Sound Grants
15 Projects Will Help Preserve and Protect Sound
Funds raised through sale of ‘Preserve the Sound’ license plates
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced grants totaling $265,695 from the state’s Long Island Sound Fund Grant Program for 15 projects that will help preserve, protect and improve public access to Long Island Sound.
"The Sound is more than an important natural resource – it provides the basis for enhanced tourism, other economic development like shellfishing, natural habitats for an untold number of species and, of course, recreation for thousands of citizens and visitors every year," Governor Rell said. "The projects we’re funding today – primarily through the Preserve the Sound license plates – will help us keep our promise to protect the Sound and protect our future.
"The Long Island Sound Fund helps us raise the level of public awareness about the long-term value of Sound, and promote research efforts and boost recreational opportunities in coastal areas. By doing this, we encourage citizen stewardship of our environment," the Governor said. "I have committed our state to preserving the Sound for generations to come."
The LIS Fund is supported by the sale of Preserve the Sound license plates, a portion of the proceeds from the Preserve the Sound affinity credit card, and direct contributions to the Fund. Since 1992, more than 133,700 license plates have been sold, raising more than $4.7 million for projects benefiting the Sound. These funds have been used to support nearly 300 projects in the categories of Education, Habitat Restoration, Research and Public Access.
DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, "The LIS Fund has provided the funding for many quality environmental programs since it was created in 1992. In addition to the valuable habitat restoration, public access and scientific research projects being funded this year, I am very pleased to see that so many engaging educational projects were selected for support. The results of these hands-on activities for our children will provide opportunities for our young people to learn about Long Island Sound and its resources, foster a sense of environmental stewardship, and maybe even interest these students in future careers in marine habitat protection. I applaud the efforts of the many educators who are sponsoring these important initiatives."
Examples of the projects receiving funding for this year include:
Educational projects, such as a Long Island Sound biodiversity project at a new science magnet school in Norwalk
A public awareness program focused on sea turtles and marine mammals
Production of a cable television show about Long Island Sound
Research on various marine topics including a study to learn more about pathogens associated with sudden wetland dieback
A study to evaluate impacts of various environmental conditions on bacteria levels at public beach areas
An analysis of striped bass populations and their predation on river herring in the Connecticut River
Public access projects providing handicapped accessible wheelchairs at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, and creation of the first section of a larger shoreline greenway trail for recreational activities
A habitat restoration project to restore Atlantic Salmon populations within the Eightmile River watershed.
The Long Island Sound Fund was created to provide funding for projects that would otherwise lack a funding source. This program has also provided opportunities for partnerships between federal, state and local organizations to improve the Sound and its habitats.
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15 Projects Will Help Preserve and Protect Sound
Funds raised through sale of ‘Preserve the Sound’ license plates
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced grants totaling $265,695 from the state’s Long Island Sound Fund Grant Program for 15 projects that will help preserve, protect and improve public access to Long Island Sound.
"The Sound is more than an important natural resource – it provides the basis for enhanced tourism, other economic development like shellfishing, natural habitats for an untold number of species and, of course, recreation for thousands of citizens and visitors every year," Governor Rell said. "The projects we’re funding today – primarily through the Preserve the Sound license plates – will help us keep our promise to protect the Sound and protect our future.
"The Long Island Sound Fund helps us raise the level of public awareness about the long-term value of Sound, and promote research efforts and boost recreational opportunities in coastal areas. By doing this, we encourage citizen stewardship of our environment," the Governor said. "I have committed our state to preserving the Sound for generations to come."
The LIS Fund is supported by the sale of Preserve the Sound license plates, a portion of the proceeds from the Preserve the Sound affinity credit card, and direct contributions to the Fund. Since 1992, more than 133,700 license plates have been sold, raising more than $4.7 million for projects benefiting the Sound. These funds have been used to support nearly 300 projects in the categories of Education, Habitat Restoration, Research and Public Access.
DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, "The LIS Fund has provided the funding for many quality environmental programs since it was created in 1992. In addition to the valuable habitat restoration, public access and scientific research projects being funded this year, I am very pleased to see that so many engaging educational projects were selected for support. The results of these hands-on activities for our children will provide opportunities for our young people to learn about Long Island Sound and its resources, foster a sense of environmental stewardship, and maybe even interest these students in future careers in marine habitat protection. I applaud the efforts of the many educators who are sponsoring these important initiatives."
Examples of the projects receiving funding for this year include:
Educational projects, such as a Long Island Sound biodiversity project at a new science magnet school in Norwalk
A public awareness program focused on sea turtles and marine mammals
Production of a cable television show about Long Island Sound
Research on various marine topics including a study to learn more about pathogens associated with sudden wetland dieback
A study to evaluate impacts of various environmental conditions on bacteria levels at public beach areas
An analysis of striped bass populations and their predation on river herring in the Connecticut River
Public access projects providing handicapped accessible wheelchairs at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, and creation of the first section of a larger shoreline greenway trail for recreational activities
A habitat restoration project to restore Atlantic Salmon populations within the Eightmile River watershed.
The Long Island Sound Fund was created to provide funding for projects that would otherwise lack a funding source. This program has also provided opportunities for partnerships between federal, state and local organizations to improve the Sound and its habitats.
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