New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis Tuesday announced that grant applications are now being accepted for projects proposing to eradicate terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. Applications will be accepted until Friday, June 29, 2007.

DEC is making $2 million in state grants available to municipalities and not-for-profit corporations for projects to eliminate infestations of both terrestrial and aquatic invasive species throughout the state.

The funding being made available for these grants was secured in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 enacted state budgets. State funds can be used to pay for up to one-half of the total cost of selected eradication projects. Individual grants for aquatic eradication proposals will be awarded for at least $7,500, up to $100,000. Individual grants for terrestrial eradication proposals will be awarded for at least $2,500, up to $100,000.

Invasive species are non-native species that can cause harm to the environment and have resulted in ecological or economic problems. Some aquatic and terrestrial invasive plants, such as the water chestnut or garlic mustard flower, were introduced in New York State by individuals who brought them back from foreign habitats. Several invasive aquatic animals, such as the zebra mussel and round goby, "hitchhiked" to North America by transoceanic shipping.