Hudson River Estuary Round 50 Tributary Restoration and Resiliency

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is requesting applications for Hudson River Estuary Round 50 tributary restoration and resiliency grant projects under a Request for Applications, with applications due December 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EST and a mandatory webinar on October 8, 2026 from 10:00–11:30 a.m. EST. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) participation goal is 6%, and total Minority / Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) goal is 30%.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporations, governmental entities, municipalities, quasi-governmental entities, public benefit corporations, public authorities, soil and water conservation districts, school districts, and universities and colleges. Applicants must be prequalified in the NYS SFS Grants Management System by the bid due date.

Eligible project types include dam removal construction, dam removal engineering and design, dam removal initial reconnaissance and risk assessment, stream crossing replacement, and stream crossing design and replacement. Projects must be located on perennial streams within defined Hudson River Estuary watershed boundaries and must implement objectives of the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2026–2030. All projects require consultation with Estuary Program staff as a first step.

Approximately $400,000 in funding from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund is available, with minimum and maximum award amounts of $10,500 and $200,000 respectively. A minimum 10% local or in-kind match is required; applicants providing 15% or greater match receive additional scoring points. Applicants may submit up to two proposals for different projects or locations.

Applicants must demonstrate property ownership or landowner permission, compliance with sexual harassment prevention and gender-based violence workplace policies, Executive Order 16 certification regarding Russian business operations, and compliance with smart growth infrastructure and coastal consistency requirements where applicable. The contract performance period runs September 1, 2027 through August 31, 2030, with anticipated award announcement by June 2027. Questions are accepted through December 10, 2026.