The Long Island Regional Planning Council is offering $500 “Garden Rewards” grant for homeowners to install rain gardens, rain barrels and native plants to reduce stormwater runoff and nitrogen pollution in waterways.
Excess nitrogen causes toxic algal blooms that lead to low oxygen conditions, fish kills, harmful algal blooms, degraded wetlands and marine habitats. Nitrogen also contaminates the groundwater, which is the sole source of Long Island’s drinking water supply.
“The quality of our surface waters, and of our drinking water beneath us, is threatened by excess nitrogen pollution created by stormwater runoff,” stated LIRPC Chairman John Cameron. “While municipalities on every level are addressing stormwater runoff and nitrogen pollution, the Long Island Regional Planning Council saw the need to encourage homeowners to become a part of the solution in their own small but significant way.”
Under the Long Island Garden Rewards program, homeowners can receive reimbursement of $125 each for up to four rain barrels. The barrels must have mosquito screening and a minimum of 50 gallons each.
A rain garden that collects rainwater from roofs, driveways and other surfaces and allows that rain to soak into the ground before it reaches local waterways is eligible for up to a $500 grant. The garden must be a minimum of 20 square feet, use native plants and be maintained for at least three years.
Grants of up to $500 are available for homeowners to install native plants that reduce water, fertilizer and pesticide use and promote biodiversity.
For more information on the Long Island Garden Rewards visit: lirpc.org/garden-rewards-program.
Staff Writer on May 10, 2023