Invasive Aquatic Plant Removal
General information
Invasive Aquatic Plant Management
The Department of Environmental Protection (Department/DEP) is seeking proposals to plan and manage the removal of known invasive aquatic plant infestations. The Department awards Cost Share Grants to eligible organizations that conduct invasive aquatic plant control projects.
Max awards are dependent on availability of funding, the amount of funding requests and the bidders ability to provide a detailed description of the project and its sustainability.
Funding details
Funding application timeline
Grant eligibility
Eligible organizations include municipal and county governments, quasi-municipal organizations (including water districts) and 501(c)(3) organizations.
This grant is for invasive aquatic plant control projects on infested lakes. Grant funds may be used only for the following:
1.Manual control techniques such as placement of benthic barriers, plant removal by hand, and plant removal by hand with suction dredge (i.e., Diver Assisted Suction Harvester),).
2.Chemical plant control only if DEP has endorsed use of herbicides and according to DEP’s February 27, 2020 document regarding chemical control of established infestations. 2020 Document on Herbicides
3.Plant surveys directly related to removal efforts, i.e., surveying infested areas prior to and/or after removal if needed to focus removal efforts or monitor efficacy of removal.
4.Plant surveys within an infested waterbody, but not directly related to the removal effort.
5. Plant surveys in un-infested waterbodies near an infested waterbody, as a means for early detection of aquatic invasive plants.
6.Surface support directly related to the removal operation. The application must show how these expenses are integral to the removal operation.
7. Other expenses directly related to invasive aquatic plant removal. No more than 15% of total grant request may be used toward administrative costs, i.e. activities not directly related to the removal of aquatic invasive plants.