This cooperative agreement is provided to roger williams university (RWU) to support implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) through the narragansett BAY estuary program…

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 awarded a $1,819,600 Project Grant to Roger Williams University on October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2027 under the National Estuary Program (CFDA 66.456). The grant funds the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program to support implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through tasks outlined in the Program's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.

The Narragansett Bay Estuary Program will provide $1,809,600 in subawards to 11 organizations to develop projects addressing pollution, degraded habitat, climate change, and environmental equity in the Narragansett Bay watershed area. Projects include advancing green justice zones in Providence neighborhoods, restoration planning for the Palmer River estuary and Mason Street conservation area, public access improvements, stormwater infrastructure retrofits in Roger Williams Park, and resilience planning. The subawards range from $15,000 to $300,000. An additional $909,800 will support additional project development through a request for proposals.

This cooperative agreement is provided to roger williams university (RWU) to support implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) through the narragansett BAY estuary program comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp). The goal is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the estuary and support its sustainable human uses through tasks outlined in this bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) workplan of the narragansett BAY estuary program (nbep) and its partners. This cooperative agreement funds partners with local expertise to develop high-quality projects to create the pre-conditions for more projects that address pollution, degraded habitat, climate change, and environmental equity. Sub-awards will be provided that support environmental justice and equity, climate resilience planning, water supply resilience, design and planning for priority habitat connectivity, and community education projects within the study area.activities:this cooperative agreement funds partners with local expertise to develop high-quality projects to create the pre-conditions for more projects that address pollution, degraded habitat, climate change, and environmental equity. Sub-awards will be provided that support environmental justice and equity, climate resilience planning, water supply resilience, design and planning for priority habitat connectivity, community education projects within the study area. In addition, the workplan proposes a request for proposals to support development of additional projects consistent with the nbep comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp) will be released in year 2. Priority and focus areas will be determined by the steering committee.subrecipient:the narragansett estuary program will pass through the entirety of this award as subawards. They will provide: - $100,000 to the racial and environmental justice committee (through their fiscal sponsor environmental council of rhode island) to advance green justice zones in the port and olneyville neighborhoods in providence, RI; - $100,000 to the southeastern regional planning and economic development district to support staff to help municipalities advance projects in the middle and lower portions of the taunton river watershed; - $75,000 to the old colony planning council to support a staffer to help municipalities advance projects in the headwaters of the taunton river watershed; - $85,000 to groundwork southcoast to support a dedicated staffer to lead creation and activation of a resilience district in fall river; - $100,000 to save the BAY to help support the hiring of a new staff member to collaborate with municipalities, state/federal government, local community groups, and other outside entities to advance projects across the narragansett BAY watershed; - $134,800 to the wood-pawcatuck watershed association to support staff and a consultant to undertake planning activities that sustain mostly undisturbed free-flowing cold-water streams on protected lands in the wood-pawcatuck watershed; - $300,000 to the nature conservancy of rhode island to hire and engineering consultant to complete design work for fish passage on the lower blackstone river in rhode island; - $15,000 to the blackstone river watershed council/friends of the blackstone to engage local communities via outreach and education activities on the ecological and social value of a healthy and connected blackstone river; and - $909,800 for a request for proposals for additional project development (priorities to be determined) in year 2. Outcomes:deliverables and outcomes include the advancement of green justice zones in the port and olneyville neighborhoods in providence, RI; the advancement of projects in the upper, middle and lower portions of the taunton river watershed; the creation and activation of a resilience district in fall river; the advancement of proje