Courtney announces EPA, Fish and Wildlife grants to help eastern CT towns clean up Long Island Sound, improve water quality

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today announced that groups in towns across southeastern Connecticut secured grants worth $261,534 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to clean up the Long Island Sound, improve water quality in the state, and for habitat restoration and education programs.

"Protecting and preserving Connecticut's waterways and natural habitats is an obligation we have to future generations," said Congressman Courtney. "This funding will help groups, including The Nature Conservancy, CT River Watershed Council and Clean Up Stonington Harbors, to move forward with their important work, educate young people about preservation, and continue their push to restore the Long Island Sound."

The following awards were secured in eastern Connecticut today:

$15,570 CT River Museum, Essex

$25,670 Avalonia Land Trust, Stonington

$23,999 CT DEEP, Stonington

$24,675 Clean Up Stonington Harbors, Stonington

$8,130 City of Norwich, Norwich

$37,713 Sea Research Foundation, Mystic

$40,000 The Nature Conservancy, Colchester

$85,777 CT River Watershed Council, Old Lyme

"This year's funding of projects to engage farmers and land managers throughout communities in the watershed will help accomplish important wildlife goals through the New England Cottontail Initiative, and manure management advances to improve ecological and economic health of the Sound," said Jay Mar, Connecticut State Conservationist, NRCS.