Monroe County's $2 million Green Space Initiative is a new local grant program which will offer financial assistance to municipalities within Monroe County seeking to acquire open space or purchase development rights.

The $2 million Green Space Initiative will be funded using revenue from Monroe County's Tobacco Asset Securitization.

All of Monroe County's towns, villages, the City of Rochester and not-for-profit land trusts (working in cooperation with a municipal sponsor) can apply for Green Space Initiative funding.

The program will fund up to 25 percent of total project cost or one-half of the local matching portion of a federal or state grant, whichever is less. A maximum of $250,000 will be funded per applicant.

Funding is limited to acquisitions and perpetual easements designed to provide permanent protection for open space or farmland. Properties intended for active recreational use will not be eligible. However, open space acquisitions that complement or buffer parks and active recreational areas will be eligible.

The following types of properties are eligible for funding under the county's Green Space Initiative:

•Land identified in the Preservation of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (PESA) report;

•Lands identified for open space, environment or agriculture in a municipal master plan or inventory; and

•Prime or unique farmlands as defined by the county's Farmland Protection Plan.

The program will be outlined to Monroe County's town supervisors, village and city mayors at the upcoming Council of Governments Meeting October 2 at noon. The Monroe County Department of Planning and Development will coordinate applications for the Green Space Initiative.

Applications will be due on December 15. After submission, the applications will be reviewed and rated by a selection committee appointed by the County Executive and will include recommendations from the Department of Planning and Development, the Environmental Management Council and a local land preservation trust.