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Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants
The two main goals of
and building the capacity of all levels of government to develop and implement effective, comprehensive programs for watershed protection, restoration, and management.
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: Funding under this program area includes: Watershed/Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program - (1) Assessment and TMDL Workshops; (2) Impaired Waters Recovery and Results Analysis; (3) Tools and Products Training for the Watershed Approach; and (4) Tools, Incentives and Trainings that Foster Financing of Water Quality, Habitat Restoration/Protection on a Watershed Scale.
Nonpoint Source Program - (1) National Conference and Outreach Program to Promote Clean Lakes.
Examples of Funded Projects
EPA awards grants to support the following types of watershed planning activities: workshops on innovative TMDL assessment; workshops on innovative TMDL modeling techniques; training handbook(s) on low impact development; demonstration studies on new techniques to control agricultural drainage; production of volunteer monitoring newsletter(s).
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.
Program Accomplishments
For FY 07 funds, approximately 130 proposals were received, of which 18 were funded. Awards ranged from $15,000 to $200,000. Project outputs for FY 07 included workshops on innovative assessment and modeling techniques, training handbook(s) on low impact development practices, case studies on agricultural drainage practices, and volunteer monitoring newsletters. For FY 08, it is anticipated that five to eight awards may be made under a Request for Proposals. Specifically, EPA is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants under two National Priorities: (1) Watershed/Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)National Priority and (2) Nonpoint Source National Priority.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incidental to approved scopes of work plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations.
Funding awarded for research does not include research within the purview of EPA's Office of Research and Development.
Specific uses and restrictions on funds will be described in detail in the competitive announcements.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is available to States and local governments, Federally recognized Indian Tribes, territories and possessions of the U.S.
(including the District of Columbia), interstate associations or intertribal consortia, public or private nonprofit, nongovernmental institutions, and individuals.
Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.
For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.
Beneficiary Eligibility
States and local governments, Federally recognized Indian Tribes, territories and possessions of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia), interstate associations or intertribal consortia, public or private nonprofit, nongovernmental institutions, and individuals.
Credentials/Documentation
Documentation of nonprofit status may be required. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. EPA may ask applicants or principle investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular no. A-21 for educational institutions, OMB Circular Nos. A-122 for nonprofit organizations, and A-87 for State and local governments.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
EPA awards grants and cooperative agreements supporting research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies and based on competitive applications submitted in response to EPA solicitations.
Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement.
For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
The standard application forms, as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110, must be used for this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, (3903R), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Additional information on the EPA grant package can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm. The Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.
Award Procedures
For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.
Deadlines
Deadlines will be specified in the announcement of the competitive funding opportunity.
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 180 days.
Appeals
Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.
Renewals
None. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements for water surveys, studies, demonstrations, and investigations. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, availability of funds, and Agency policy on the competitive grant process.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The term of the grant shall be determined at the time of grant award.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.
Agreements may require quarterly, interim, and final progress reports, and financial, equipment, and invention reports.
Reporting requirements are also identified in the Grant Regulations Part 30 and Part 31.
Audits
Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (nonprofits and universities) or 40 CFR Part 31 (governmental units) are applicable. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants, available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients' grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304; EPM.
Obigations
FY 07 $1,100,000; FY 08 $500,000; and FY 09 est. $0.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$10,000 to $100,000/fiscal year; $50,000/fiscal year.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Surveys, Studies, and Investigations grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations (40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFR Part 31).
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog, and the Headquarters program contacts listed below.
Headquarters Office
For information on grant applications and procedures, contact: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact: Diane Edwards, EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (MC 4501T), Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: (202) 566-1254; Fax: (202) 566-1147; E-mail: edwards.diane@epa.gov, or Tim Icke, EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. (MC 4501T), Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 566-1211; Fax: (202) 566-1333; E-mail: icke.tim@epa.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.
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