Federal and state environmental officials say grants of more than $1.3 million have been awarded to local government and community groups in Connecticut and New York to improve the health of Long Island Sound.
The projects are funded through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund and will restore 80 acres of coastal habitat, including marsh, coastal forest, grasslands and freshwater wetlands.
Officials said nearly three million gallons of water pollution will be treated with water quality improvement projects. The grants will be leveraged by $1.4 million from other sources for a total of $2.7 million.
The program has so far invested $13 million in 306 projects in communities surrounding the sound. The Long Island Sound Futures Fund has generated nearly $38 million for locally based conservation in both states.
