MASSENA –The St. Lawrence River Research and Education Fund (SLRREF) is now accepting applications for funding for programs related to the ecology of the St. Lawrence River.

The deadline for applications is January 31.

Eligible projects include environmental research or education programs related to the St. Lawrence River, the adjoining terrestrial features or a tributary within the St. Lawrence River Valley, such as the Raquette, Grasse and St. Regis rivers.

Applications for funding will be accepted from local or state education organizations, tribal education organizations, colleges or universities and not-for-profit groups.

Past recipients of SLRREF funding include the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau, Save the River, the Research Foundation of SUNY (Potsdam), Friends of the Robert Moses State Park Nature Center, the St. Lawrence County Water Quality Coordination Committee, the Great Rivers Center at Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University.

Board members for SLRREF will evaluate proposals with the selections expected to be announced in March.

Members of the board include representatives of NYPA, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, the St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Education Services, the St. Lawrence County Planning Office, the Northern New York Audubon Society, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Save the River and a representative rotating from among the local municipalities who serves a three-year term.

Questions about the grant application process should be directed to Jill C. Winters, Jill.Winters@nypa.gov, 315-764-6841

The New York Power Authority established SLRREF during the relicensing of the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project in 2003 by providing the underlying funds of just over $1 million, with the income from this amount to be used to fund the operation of SLRREF.