The EPA has awarded six New England states more than $1.5 million in grants for programs that protect wetlands.

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, for programs that protect wetlands.

Sixteen grants were awarded to agencies including, the Penobscot Indian Nation, the University of Massachusetts and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, and will cover two fiscal years (2013-2014) to allow recipients to make better long-term strategic decisions about program goals.

"EPA is pleased to provide grants that will support vital research, assessment and training to help protect wetlands in New England," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office.

"Healthy wetlands are very important for the environmental benefits they provide to our communities. Wetlands help minimize the damaging impacts from floods, they help purify and protect drinking water, and they provide habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities for citizens."

Recipients can use grants to build and refine any element of a comprehensive wetland program, but priority is given to funding projects that address the three areas identified by EPA:

• Developing a comprehensive monitoring and assessment program
• Improving the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation
• Refining the protection of vulnerable wetlands and aquatic resources