The Southeast New England Program (SNEP), funded by Congress and managed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is dedicated to restoring clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. On Thursday, September 5th, U.S. Senator Jack Reed will join federal, state, and local partners to announce a significant investment in environmental projects throughout the region.
The event will take place at 11 a.m. at 2 River Drive, Providence, RI 02906, in the meadow overlooking the Seekonk River. The public and press are invited to attend this free event, which will be held rain or shine. Parking is available along River Drive.
A total of $11.5 million in grants and technical assistance will be announced, supporting local organizations working on critical environmental projects. This funding includes $1.5 million in grants to seven Rhode Island organizations through the SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants (SWIG), managed by Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE). Additionally, the EPA will announce $8.75 million in new funding for technical assistance provided through the SNEP Network, managed by the New England Environmental Finance Center at the University of Southern Maine.
The event will feature a speaking program with prominent figures including Senator Reed, Mayor Brett P. Smiley of Providence, U.S. Representative Gabe Amo, Councilwoman Helen Anthony, Ward 2, Providence, Kim Korioth, Chief Resilience Officer, State of Rhode Island, Karen McGuire, Deputy Regional Administrator, EPA New England, Martha Sheils, Director, New England Environmental Finance Center / SNEP Network, and Tom Ardito, Director, SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants, Restore America’s Estuaries.
Following the speaking program, Tom Ardito will introduce the seven Rhode Island grantees, who will be available to discuss their restoration projects. At noon, a walking tour of nearby York Pond, led by the City of Providence and Blackstone Parks Conservancy, will highlight the impact of the projects. One of the grants will provide $282,000 to the Conservancy and partners to construct a stormwater control project in Blackstone Park, a crucial step in reducing runoff to the pond and benefiting communities throughout Rhode Island and beyond.
This event is a testament to SNEP’s commitment to supporting clean water, healthy ecosystems, and thriving communities throughout Southeast New England. Since 2012, SNEP has provided $67 million in funding and technical assistance to help municipalities, non-profit organizations, state and tribal governments, and other organizations achieve these goals. Through partnerships, information sharing, and the development of new technologies, SNEP empowers communities to manage the regional environment effectively while delivering tangible benefits to both the environment and communities.
A significant portion of SNEP resources is directed toward environmental justice communities throughout the region. Senator Reed, who helped establish the Southeast New England Program, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in protecting and improving the health of Narragansett Bay and the entire coastal watershed. He highlighted the significance of the announced grants in advancing key projects that will enhance water quality and improve the well-being of communities, waterways, and estuaries.
EPA New England’s Deputy Regional Administrator, Karen McGuire, expressed the agency’s enthusiasm for supporting this year’s grant awards under SNEP. She highlighted the program’s close collaboration with local communities to improve water quality and restore coastal habitats in Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts. McGuire acknowledged the crucial support provided by Senator Reed and his Congressional colleagues since 2014, enabling the allocation of millions of dollars in funding for projects and technical assistance.
Terry Gray, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, emphasized the significant benefits these grants will bring to Rhode Island. The funded projects will improve water quality, support vital habitats, and combat the threats of stormwater pollution and climate change. Gray acknowledged the diversity of investments across the state, both in terms of project types and the communities being supported, and expressed enthusiasm for working with the SNEP team and applicants to advance this critical work.
Mayor Brett P. Smiley of Providence expressed gratitude for Senator Reed’s leadership and advocacy on behalf of Providence and highlighted the importance of these grants in protecting waterways, improving stormwater management infrastructure, and fostering climate resilience. He emphasized the creation of a healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come through collaboration with SNEP.
The grant announcement event will offer photo, video, and interview opportunities for media. Following the speaking program, grantees will be available to discuss their projects in detail.
A companion event showcasing Massachusetts grantees and funding will be held in Yarmouth, MA, on October 4th. Further details can be found at www.snepgrants.org.
The recipients of the 2024 SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants were selected through a competitive process from among $9 million in requests. The twelve funded projects include:
Rhode Island Grants:
*
Trout Unlimited / RI Dept. of Environmental Management:
Breakheart Pond Dam Removal Engineering (Arcadia Management Area, Richmond, RI) – $190,000*
Groundwork Rhode Island / Blackstone Park Conservancy / City of Providence:
Stormwater Management in York Pond Watershed – $282,288*
Town of Coventry:
Upper Dam Pond Restoration – $87,568*
Town of South Kingstown:
Green Hill Pond Water Quality Improvements – $250,000*
Pawtuxet River Authority:
Fish Passage Engineering at Pontiac Dam (Cranston) – $150,000*
Town of Smithfield:
Esmond Village Natural Infrastructure Park – $346,522*
City of Cranston:
Natural Solutions for Flood Mitigation, Fenner Pond Watershed – $192,500Massachusetts Grants:
*
Nantucket Conservation Foundation:
Windswept Bog Wetland Restoration – $200,000*
Buzzards Bay Coalition:
Remediating Stormwater Pollution at Buttonwood Park Zoo (New Bedford) – $362,838*
Town of Yarmouth:
Chase Brook Park Coastal Restoration – $434,230*
Barnstable Clean Water Coalition:
Marston’s Mills Cranberry Bog Restoration – $200,000Interstate Grant:
*
New England Water Pollution Control Comm.:
Community-Based Habitat Restoration: Water Chestnut Management in Blackstone & Ten Mile Watersheds, Phase 2 – $100,000For more information on EPA’s Southeast New England Program, visit www.epa.gov/snep. For details on SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants, visit www.snepgrants.org. To learn more about the SNEP Network, visit www.snepnetwork.org.
