Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program

The Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Grant Program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), provides financial assistance to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies for the acquisition of land designated for open space or classified as Class I or Class II water supply property. This program is authorized by the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) sections 7-131c through 7-131g and supports the state’s long-term environmental goals, particularly the objective of securing 21% of Connecticut’s land as open space under CGS 23-8. OSWA is funded through a combination of state bond funds and the Community Investment Act. It is advised by the Natural Heritage, Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Review Board, an independent body appointed by state leaders and the DEEP Commissioner. The OSWA program covers up to 65% of the fair market value of eligible land, with a maximum of 75% for properties in Environmental Justice Communities, Distressed Municipalities, or Targeted Investment Communities. Grant funds may also be used for incidental acquisition costs such as surveys and legal or appraisal fees in eligible underserved areas. Development costs, including for passive recreational infrastructure, are explicitly excluded. Applicants must secure matching funds, which may come from private or public sources. Importantly, the combined federal and OSWA funding cannot exceed 90% of the fair market value, except in specific cases approved by the DEEP Commissioner. Eligibility is limited to municipalities, 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies, each of which must meet specific documentation requirements. These include recent IRS filings, legal certifications, and audit submissions. Projects must also comply with public access provisions unless exempt, such as for water supply land. Disqualifications apply to projects involving commercial use, prior acquisition of land, or failure to comply with past OSWA grant obligations. Applications missing critical appraisal documentation or that conflict with municipal plans are also rejected. Applications must demonstrate a commitment to preserving the land in perpetuity, with DEEP securing a conservation easement over all funded properties. The appraisal process requires compliance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (Yellow Book) and must include both the appraisal and a qualified review. Applicants are encouraged to pre-select appraisers familiar with these standards and to allow several months for completion of both the appraisal and its review. A checklist is provided to help applicants screen appraisers for program compliance. Projects are expected to adhere to a detailed timeline, which includes submission of purchase agreements, mapping, title work, and completion of signage and access infrastructure. Projects that fail to meet these milestones within specified timeframes may have their funding rescinded. All properties must be accessible to the public, and signage acknowledging DEEP support is mandatory. Exceptions to public access requirements are rare and must be pre-approved by the Commissioner. For more information or questions, applicants may contact Allyson Clarke at 860-424-3774 or 860-595-7469, or via email at Allyson.clarke@ct.gov. The guidelines emphasize early planning, particularly for appraisals and securing compatible funding sources. The program does not include a stated opening date, but the current cycle closes on October 1, 2025. The program is recurring and applicants should expect the next round to open in August 2026.

Start appraisal process early; use experienced appraisers; match federal funds with caution; follow task deadlines carefully.