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WQIP Land Acquisition Projects For Source Water Protection Toolkit

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The Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant application period is open through July 31, 2026. Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection is once again included. Eligible applicants include municipalities, not-for-profits, and soil and water conservation districts. Apply now using the Consolidated Funding Application. 

Please carefully review the information on this page to determine if your acquisition aligns with the purpose of the Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection Program.

For more information, please join us for an informational webinar on June 16th, 2026, at 1:00 PM.

Register for Informational Webinar

New York State offers funding assistance for protecting public water supply sources through the WQIP Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection program (WQIPLA). The program provides funding to municipalities, land trusts and soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) looking to purchase land and/or conservation easements to protect their sources of public drinking water. Once awarded a grant and acquiring land, awardees can then be stewards for that land, managing its use to help ensure protection of the nearby public water supply.

Awardees of WQIPLA must complete required documentation and obtain DEC acceptance for this documentation in order to receive approval for land purchases/conservation easements. Documentation must meet DEC standards prior to any reimbursement for the value of the land being acquired and any other eligible costs incurred to complete the project. Advance payments may be available to aid with the preparation of this documentation. Program resources and information on WQIPLA standards can be found below. 

Potential applicants may apply to WQIPLA as a Project or a Program:

A Project should be selected if the applicant already has a property or properties identified for acquisition as well as the endorsement of the landowner(s) in the form of a letter of intent to sell or similar documentation. 

A Program may be selected if the applicant does not have specific properties identified for acquisition. The applicant may also have properties identified and endorsements of landowners but still apply as a Program if they are seeking to acquire additional, unidentified parcels within the same area to protect the same public water source. Potential applicants should consider the amount of time it takes to identify parcels and obtain an agreement with a landowner when selecting a Program. 

It is highly encouraged that potential applicants learn as much as they can about the property(ies) they are looking to acquire prior to applying to the program. Be sure to read the RFA for the Round you applied to the program as well as the requirements below to ensure the property you are seeking to acquire aligns with the purpose of the WQIPLA program. 

Please consult the accordions below to view resources and requirements applicable to you (municipality, SWCD, or land trusts). The documents listed and described below may be required for land purchase and/or conservation easement approval, prior to closing. 

All of the documents relevant to the applicant and acquisition types must be reviewed and approved by DEC before they are considered complete for a specific acquisition. 

Sample Land Acquisition Workplans

Once awarded a grant through the program, awardees must first draft a workplan that summarizes their plan for their project or program. This workplan is then submitted to DEC for review and approval before working it into a contract.

Required Document Resources

Required documentation varies slightly for awardees whether they are a municipality, SWCD, or land trust. Please review the required documentation and resources for your awardee type below:

  • Quarterly Report  - Use this template to prepare quarterly reports. The Program Progress Details section of the Quarterly Report must include:
    • All objectives and tasks listed in the associated work plan and in matching order.
    • The same performance measures are listed in the associated work plan.
    • A quarterly activity description for each task. If a task has yet to be worked on, the quarterly activity description can state "No activity this quarter."
    • All objectives and tasks, even after they are 100% complete.
  • For Programs – In order for DEC to complete a formal review of proposed parcels, awardees must submit a Proposed Parcel Documentation form (PDF) and map(s) that  meet program requirements. This is only a requirement for awardees who did not identify the proposed parcel(s) to be acquired when applying to the WQIPLA program.
  • Water Withdrawal Permit Modification (Municipalities Only)  - A Water Withdrawal Permit Modification must be submitted to the DEC Regional Office and Central Office. Receipt of submittal of this modification must be sent to WQIPLA staff.  
  • Purchase Agreements/Contracts of Sale – obtain a Purchase Agreement/Contract of Sale with willing landowners and submit a copy to DEC for record keeping. 
  • Title Report and Insurance – The Title Report and Insurance are required to be submitted to the program for review and it is recommended to be obtained and submitted to DEC as soon as possible once the property being acquired is identified. 
  • Non-Restricted Appraisal(s) – Required Standards for Real Property Appraisals of Awarded Grant Projects under WQIP Land Acquisition are dependent on the RFA for the Round of funding you were awarded the grant under:
  • 2026 WQIP Land Surveying Requirements (PDF) – Boundary Surveys for Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Grant Program projects must be in accordance with the Code of Practice for Land Surveys adopted by the New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors (NYSAPLS),  except (B1 and C2 of the Code) that copyright symbols and copyright language must not be present on the survey map.
  • Conservation Easement Template – Awardees are required to utilize this template when drafting a conservation easement with a willing landowner as it has been reviewed and approved by DEC for legal purposes. Any draft easement, whether the template has been altered or not, must be reviewed and approved by DEC prior to filing and subsequent reimbursement through the program. The general structure of this easement, and certain required language CANNOT be removed. When using the template, awardees should keep in mind:
    • Requested changes are reviewed on a case-by-case basis;
    • The term "Optional" throughout the document means that specific sections may not be necessary to include in the conservation easement if that land use or activity does not, or will not, occur on the protected property;
    • If an "Optional" section is removed, section references (e.g. under Section 8 hereof...) throughout the document may need to be updated to reference the new and correct section number; and,
    • The Template should be opened using Microsoft Word.
  • Baseline Documentation Report (Conservation Easements Only) – Submit a Baseline Documentation report to DEC that records the environmental condition and uses of the property prior to the easement being recorded.
  • Purchase Price and Deed – A copy of the Deed as well as the final purchase price of a parcel is required to be submitted to DEC for record keeping.
  • Deed Requirements (PDF)  - Notice of Grant and additional language to be included in the deed.
  • Deed Requirements for Closed Acquisitions (PDF)  - Notice of Grant document required for already-closed acquisitions not containing the required deed clause. The Notice must be recorded against the subject property and a certified copy provided to the Department.
  • Deed Requirements for Match Acquisitions (PDF)  - Notice of Grant and additional language to be included in the deed of properties being used as match.
  • Conservation Easement Notice of Grant (PDF)  - Notice of Grant to be included in not-yet-closed conservation easements.
  • Phase I Environmental Site Assessment – An ASTM-compliant Phase I Environmental Site Assessment must be conducted and submitted to DEC for review and approval for each property being acquired. The Environmental Assessment Checklist (PDF) may be used only for Round 14 and 15 contracts. Checklist of items that should be included in environmental assessment reports.

If Public Access or Riparian Buffer Maintenance work is included as part of your Project or Program:

  • Public Access Plan Template  – If an awardee plans to allow the public to utilize the property they are acquiring for hiking or other low-impact recreation, DEC must review and approve a Public Access Plan to ensure that the activities being planned do not interfere or jeopardize source water protection in any way. 
  • Riparian Buffer Maintenance Plan Template  – If an awardee determines that a property being acquired through the program is in need of restoration, repair, or maintenance of the riparian buffer, they must submit a plan to DEC for review and approval. 

  • Quarterly Report - Use this template to prepare quarterly reports. The Program Progress Details section of the Quarterly Report must include:
    • All objectives and tasks listed in the associated work plan and in matching order.
    • The same performance measures listed in the associated work plan.
    • A quarterly activity description for each task. If a task has yet to be worked on, the quarterly activity description can state "No activity this quarter."
    • All objectives and tasks, even after they are 100% complete.
  • For Programs – In order for DEC to complete a formal review of proposed parcels, awardees must submit a Proposed Parcel Documentation form and map(s) that  meet program requirements. This is only a requirement for awardees who did not identify the proposed parcel(s) to be acquired when applying to the WQIPLA program.
  • Municipal Notification Letter (PDF) (not-for-profits only) - These notifications must be sent to the local municipality by not-for-profits (like land trusts) to notify the municipality of the property they intend to acquire. Receipt of this notification must be sent to WQIPLA program staff.
  • Purchase Agreements/Contracts of Sale – obtain a Purchase Agreement/Contract of Sale with willing landowners and submit a copy to DEC for record keeping.
  • Title Report and Insurance – The Title Report and Insurance are required to be submitted to the program for review and it is recommended to be obtained and submitted to DEC as soon as possible once the property being acquired is identified.
  • Non-Restricted Appraisal(s) – Required Standards for Real Property Appraisals of Awarded Grant Projects under WQIP Land Acquisition are dependent on the RFA for the Round of funding you were awarded the grant under:
  • 2026 WQIP Land Surveying Requirements (PDF) – Boundary Surveys for Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Grant Program projects must be in accordance with the Code of Practice for Land Surveys adopted by the New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors (NYSAPLS),  except (B1 and C2 of the Code) that copyright symbols and copyright language must not be present on the survey map.
  • Conservation Easement Template – Awardees are required to utilize this template when drafting a conservation easement with a willing landowner as it has been reviewed and approved by DEC for legal purposes. Any draft easement, whether the template has been altered or not, must be reviewed and approved by DEC prior to filing and subsequent reimbursement through the program. The general structure of this easement, and certain required language CANNOT be removed. When using the template, awardees should keep in mind:
    • Requested changes are reviewed on a case-by-case basis;
    • The term "Optional" throughout the document means that specific sections may not be necessary to include in the conservation easement if that land use or activity does not, or will not, occur on the protected property;
    • If an "Optional" section is removed, section references (e.g. under Section 8 hereof...) throughout the document may need to be updated to reference the new and correct section number; and,
    • The Template should be opened using Microsoft Word.
  • Baseline Documentation Report (Conservation Easements Only) – Submit a Baseline Documentation report to DEC that records the environmental condition and uses of the property prior to the easement being recorded.
  • Purchase Price and Deed – A copy of the Deed as well as the final purchase price of a parcel is required to be submitted to DEC for record keeping.
  • Deed Requirements (PDF)  - Notice of Grant and additional language to be included in the deed.
  • Deed Requirements for Closed Acquisitions (PDF)  - Notice of Grant document required for already-closed acquisitions not containing the required deed clause. The Notice must be recorded against the subject property and a certified copy provided to the Department.
  • Deed Requirements for Match Acquisitions (PDF)  - Notice of Grant and additional language to be included in the deed of properties being used as match.
  • Conservation Easement Notice of Grant (PDF)  - Notice of Grant to be included in not-yet-closed conservation easements.
  • Phase I Environmental Site Assessment – An ASTM-compliant Phase I Environmental Site Assessment must be conducted and submitted to DEC for review and approval for each property being acquired. The Environmental Assessment Checklist (PDF) may be used only for Round 14 and 15 contracts. Checklist of items that should be included in environmental assessment reports.

If Public Access or Riparian Buffer Maintenance work is included as part of your Project or Program:

  • Public Access Plan Template  – If an awardee plans to allow the public to utilize the property they are acquiring for hiking or other low-impact recreation, DEC must review and approve a Public Access Plan to ensure that the activities being planned do not interfere or jeopardize source water protection in any way. 
  • Riparian Buffer Maintenance Plan Template  – If an awardee determines that a property being acquired through the program is in need of restoration, repair, or maintenance of the riparian buffer, they must submit a plan to DEC for review and approval. 

Additional Resources

Below are additional resources to aid awardees with contract development and other contract items.

Protecting New York's Drinking Water Resources

Hear from 5 awardees on how WQIP program funding helped them achieve land acquisition and source water protection goals while also providing co-benefits like passive recreational opportunities for their communities.

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