The stormwater grant program was included in the adopted budget as part of the 2020 Mother Nature Environmental Bond Act proposal to be submitted to the voters for referendum in November. If approved by the voters, the Bond Act designates that not less than $100 million will be available for municipal stormwater projects.

Governor Cuomo’s environmental bond act proposal outlined key goals including water quality, restoring habitats, reducing flood risk as well as protecting and restoring wetlands, floodplains, and streams.

Assemblymember McDonald added, “As former Mayors, we both know how difficult it is for local government officials to invest in infrastructure projects. The projects are often not noticed or understood by the residents yet critical to the overall quality of life of the community. Inclusion of the stormwater grant component in the bond proposal will be of great impact to the community and the taxpayers.”

Assemblyman Otis commented, “One of the best ways to accomplish the goals of the bond act proposal is by helping local governments fund stormwater projects. The stormwater grant program is now part of the bond proposal thanks to the great support of Governor Cuomo, Speaker Heastie and our Assembly colleagues.”

Stormwater grants will help municipalities fund needed, often required projects and reduce the cost to local taxpayers and meet the important goals of the environmental bond act.

McDonald and Otis helped create the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2015 (WIIA), which has provided almost $1.2 billion statewide in drinking and clean water grants in the last five years. The stormwater program will add a new tool to state assistance for local water management projects.

In a joint statement Otis and McDonald concluded, “It is our hope that the stormwater grant program will make clean water projects a reality by making them more affordable for local governments and taxpayers.”