NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Dec. 3, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 542

For more information contact James Brunswick, Community Ombudsman, 302-739-9000 or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-729-9902.

                     Funding Workshops for Community Environmental Projects
                     Set for Dec. 8 in Dover and Dec. 9 in New Castle

Two free public workshops on funding opportunities for environmental projects that will benefit communities will be held by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Community Involvement Advisory Council (CIAC). Environmental projects that meet funding criteria include those that address pollution, enhance natural resources, improve environmental conditions or provide environmental benefits to a community.

The workshops will be held:

7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 8 – DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901

7 p.m.  – 8:30 p.m.,  Tuesday, Dec. 9  – DNREC Offices, 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720

At the workshops, information will be presented on three grant opportunities for 2009 – the Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) and two new pilot programs – the Collaborative Problem-Solving Small Grant and the Technical Assistance Small Grant. Eligible applicants include:  Delaware civic and community organizations; non-profit entities; educational institutions; counties; municipal governments; state agencies; and quasi-state agencies representing communities where environmental violations have occurred.

Pre-registration is requested, but not required. Contact Vicki Ward, Office of the Secretary, 302-739-9000 or Vicki.Ward@state.de.us to pre-register or for directions to a workshop.

The CIAC will accept applications for funding from its Community Environmental Project Fund until 4:30 p.m., January 5, 2009.  For an application form and more information on requirements, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/CIAC or call 302-739-9000.

The CEPF, established Feb. 2004 by House Bill 192, consists of 25 percent of all civil or administrative penalties collected by DNREC after Feb. 3, 2004 and requires that funding benefits the communities where the civil or administrative violations occurred. Since 2004 more than $2.2 million in CEPF funds have been awarded to organizations, including the Southbridge Civic Association in Wilmington, Main Street Delaware City and Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County. Currently, CEPF has approximately $598,000 in grant funds available to communities.

For more information on project eligibility, penalty funds available or assistance with the application, contact DNREC Community Ombudsman James Brunswick, 302-739-9000 or James.Brunswick@state.de.us.

To learn more about the CIAC, visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/CIAC.