Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin has announced the availability of Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) grants. The Community Environmental Project Fund was created by House Bill 192, in February 2004. HB 192 requires that CEPF funds benefit the communities where the civil or administrative violations occurred. It provides for the restoration of affected communities by funding environmental projects that result in:

• The reduction of pollution
• The enhancement of natural resources
• The enhancement of natural resources for the purposes of creating recreational opportunities for the citizens of Delaware.

IRS tax-exempt organizations are eligible for grants of up to $20,000. These include: civic and community organizations, educational institutions, counties, municipal governments, state agencies and quasi-state agencies. The application deadline is Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019. The projects funded in this grant cycle will commence on July 1, 2020 and should be completed by June 30, 2021.

DNREC will hold two public workshops on the CEPF grant program, scheduled as follows:

Pre-registration is requested, but not required. For more information about the workshops or to pre-register, please contact James Brunswick, Community Ombudsman, DNREC Division of Community Affairs, by phone 302-739-9040 or email: James.Brunswick@delaware.gov. For a CEPF grant application form, please visit the DNREC website: dnrec.delaware.gov/community-services/environmental-project-fund.