water quality
NEIWPCC Partnerships
New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program
Rating Criteria for Habitat Restoration Planning Grants | Rating Criteria for Stewardship Grants
The New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary includes the waters of New York Harbor and the tidally influenced portions of all rivers and streams that empty into the Harbor. It is no secret that these waters were once greatly misused and abused, given the estuary's proximity to the teeming millions in New York City and the industry along its shores. The New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program (NY/NJ HEP) is a multi-year effort to develop and implement a plan to protect, conserve, and restore the estuary. Participants in the program include representatives from local, state, and federal environmental agencies, scientists, citizens, business interests, environmentalists, and others.
NEIWPCC serves two partnership roles with NY/NJ HEP. NEIWPCC staff are involved with the development and maintenance of various databases related to implementation of HEP activities, environmental trends, and stewardship activities. NEIWPCC also coordinates with other HEP partners to manage the HEP mini-grants initiative. The HEP Mini-grant Program supports and encourages the efforts of citizen stewards by funding projects that emphasize that the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary ecosystem is a living environmental and social resource; demonstrate that the public can help to protect the Estuary; motivate people to actively participate in its restoration; utilize innovative activities to involve people and encourage local action; and increase public awareness and education.
For more information, visit the NY/NJ HEP website.