The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced Wednesday the availability of funding for projects to reduce aquatic invasive species on inland waters.

"The introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in Connecticut poses a serious threat to the biodiversity of native aquatic ecosystems and can affect the ecological, recreational, and economic interests of the state," DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said in a statement. "These grants will allow municipalities to fund programs that will better enable them to gain control over aquatic invaders."

DEEP has up to $150,000 for grants for eligible diagnostic and control projects by municipalities in fiscal year 2016, according to a news release.

Grants will range from $2,500 to $50,000. Requests for larger grants may be considered, but only for exceptional and well-justified proposals.

The state grant program is designed to cover 50 percent of project costs. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to provide funds to cover the remaining 50 percent.

Only municipalities are eligible to receive grants through this program.

Conservation organizations and local interest organizations can develop project proposals in collaboration with municipalities but the municipality in which the project water body is located must apply for the funding.

If the water body is located in more than one municipality, two or more municipalities may apply jointly.

Lake authorities may submit a proposal if they are authorized to act as the agent for the member towns.

Eligible project proposals should be for conducting an aquatic invasive species diagnostic feasibility study or conducting a project to restore an inland water body through the control and management of a population of aquatic invasive species.

The target species must have existed in the project water body as of July 1, 2014.

More information is available at www.ct.gov/deep/AISgrants2015. To request hard copies of the RFP or to ask questions about this program, please contact Bill Foreman at (860) 424-3868 or william.foreman@ct.gov.

Prospective applicants also should check the website for updates. Proposals must be received by 4 p.m. on Nov. 9.