2025-2026 Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

The NYS Department of State (Department or DOS) is soliciting applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (EPF LWRP) from eligible villages, towns, cities located along New York’s coasts or designated inland waterways, counties (with the written consent and acting on behalf of one or more eligible villages, towns, cities), or regional planning councils (RPCs) (with the written consent and acting on behalf of one or more eligible villages, towns, cities) to advance the preparation or implementation of strategies for community and waterfront revitalization through the following grant categories:

• Preparing or Updating a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), including Updating an LWRP to be More Resilient to Climate Risks

• Preparing an LWRP Component, including a Watershed Management Plan

• Implementing an LWRP or a completed LWRP Component

New York State’s approach to managing waterfront areas recognizes that municipalities are in the best position to determine their own waterfront objectives and needs in a manner consistent with the goals and requirements of the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act. Accordingly, the Department encourages waterfront communities to prepare and implement Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs (LWRPs) with financial and technical assistance provided through this grant program. 

The Department encourages applications for projects which achieve more resilient waterfront communities. New York communities are increasingly vulnerable to more intense and frequent rain events, extreme heat, drought, and greater flooding and shoreline erosion caused by heavy rain, runoff, intense winds, and wave action which have been exacerbated by climate change.