Solicitation: 202512173 RFA Document

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking applications for managing the removal of known aquatic invasive plant infestations. The grant opportunity is intended to support local removal programs that achieve local and statewide objectives of improving aquatic habitat impacted by aquatic invasive plants. The project proposed must provide a description of the overall work that will be done, including the lake’s characteristics, the invasive species targeted, and proposed control strategies. Applications must be submitted via the Vendor Self Service System (VSS) and must include a completed Application Form and all required information and attachments. • The application must clearly and realistically state the desired overall outcome of the proposed project and include spread prevention, early detection, and management. • The application must state primary activities to achieve goals for aquatic invasive plant spread prevention, early detection, and management and control. • Annual plant surveys are essential to monitoring progress of a project. • The application must describe the planned pre- and post-removal monitoring to assess effectiveness of management. • A minimum 20% cash match is required for each grant. • Higher grant scores are given to applicants providing greater than the minimum match. • The Department prefers projects that maximize local matches and demonstrate strong community support and the ability to annually sustain aquatic invasive species prevention and control.