EPA offfering Grants for Building Partner Capacity and Promoting Resiliency & Equity

Deadline: 17-Jul-2024

The Environmental Protection Agency is offering grants for building partner capacity and promoting resiliency and equity under clean water act, wetlands, nonpoint source, monitoring, assessment and listing programs.

The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to provide support for training and related activities to build the capacity of agricultural partners, state, territorial and Tribal officials and nongovernmental stakeholders in activities to be carried out to support the goals of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) Program, the CWA 305(b) Program, the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program, the Nonpoint Source (CWA Section 319) Program, the Fish Monitoring/Advisory Programs, the Recreational Waters/Beach Monitoring Programs and the Water Quality Monitoring Program.

National Priority Areas

• National Priority Area I: State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops 
  • The goal of this National Priority Area is to conduct technical training and capacity building workshops and communication/outreach activities to more effectively assess water quality and communicate technical information at the national, regional and state-scale focusing the technical training workshops on topics related to the National Aquatic Resource Surveys.
  • The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to plan, prepare and conduct State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops to build the capacity of states and Tribes to more effectively assess water quality. These technical training workshops and communication/outreach areas should include:
    • Five to seven technical training workshops (each workshop one to three days in length) focused on specific aquatic resources or selected issues with cross resource topics of interest. During any given year, these smaller training workshops do not have to focus on the same aquatic resource type and may cover different topics. Note that not all training workshops have to be in person; they can be held virtually if appropriate for the topic area.
    • Up to three large technical training workshops covering all aquatic resource types. Note that not all large training workshops have to be in person; large workshops can be held virtually if appropriate for the topic area.
    • Communication and outreach activities may include development of articles, videos and other communications materials; engagement of experts; and transferring new approaches to states, Tribes and others.
• National Priority Area II: State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops in Support of CWA Section 303(d), CWA Section 305(b), TMDLs and Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment 
  • The goal of National Priority Area II is to conduct training workshops to educate state, Tribal and territorial personnel on new approaches for sharing CWA Sections 303(d), 305(b) and TMDL data. The EPA is developing new approaches for sharing these data as part of the EPA’s Water Quality Framework (Framework). A goal of the Framework is to more fully integrate water quality monitoring, assessment and restoration data to provide a more complete picture of the nation’s waters. As a first step in this effort, the EPA redesigned the Assessment TMDL Tracking and Implementation System (ATTAINS) using an agile approach. This system tracks state CWA Sections 303(d), 305(b) and TMDL data using a common geospatial framework based on the National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHDPlus). The new ATTAINS system also integrates statewide statistical surveys and site-specific assessment data. It is anticipated that these training workshops will educate states, Tribes and territories on the following tools: ATTAINS, NHDPlus, as well as the EPA Water Quality eXchange (WQX), Water Quality Portal (WQP), R Tools for Automated Data Analysis (TADA), Recovery Potential Screening (RPS) Tool and Healthy Watersheds Assessments, as well as obtain state, Tribal and territorial input on these systems and how they are used to support the full CWA data lifecycle from monitoring to data management, assessment and reporting.
  • The EPA is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants to plan, prepare and conduct three State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops starting in 2025—over the next five years—with the option to hold smaller workshops during the other years in support of CWA Sections 303(d), 305(b), TMDLs and water quality monitoring and assessment. The project components described below provide more detail on roles and responsibilities the successful applicant may be expected to assume to establish and manage these workshops, but it is not comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to identify additional workshop training topic areas and/or project components that may not be included in this announcement, but that may contribute to overall project success in their proposals.
• National Priority Area III: Training Workshops on Recreational Waters and Beach Monitoring Programs 
  • The goal of National Priority Area III is to conduct training workshops to build the capacity of states and Tribes to more effectively implement programs to protect human health from illnesses related to exposure in recreational waters, including beaches.
  • Application for this National Priority Area should describe the applicant’s plan to prepare and conduct two hybrid workshops over the six-year project period (one year to plan, one year to hold workshop, two-year gap, one year to plan and second workshop held in the sixth year of project period) The project components described below provide some detail on roles and responsibilities the successful applicant may be expected to assume. The description below is not comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to identify additional workshop training topic areas and/or project components that may not be included in this announcement, but that may contribute to overall project success in their applications.
  • The overall goals of the training workshops related to the recreational waters and beach monitoring are: (1) to enhance communication, coordination and technology transfer among states, Tribes and federal agencies to ensure protection of human health including for vulnerable communities; (2) to build on lessons learned and advance the latest developments and innovations, including monitoring; and (3) to foster or increase inter-jurisdictional collaboration among states and Tribes. Examples of potential workshop topics include but are not limited to new methods, indicators and techniques for monitoring and modeling; latest research pertaining to human health risks from exposure to pathogens/pathogen indicators/HABs in recreational waters (such as developments related to microbial source tracking, antibiotic resistant genes and risk to children); regulatory and policy issues associated with recreational water/beach monitoring and water quality; use of citizen science/volunteer monitoring; water quality standards issues; performance criteria for beach monitoring and notification grants; and recommended protocols and procedures to encourage greater consistency among jurisdictions.
• National Priority Area IV: Nonpoint Source Technical Support for Tribes 
  • The goal of this National Priority Area is to provide technical assistance to the 211 Tribes authorized under Clean Water Act Section 319 to have a nonpoint source program. The EPA expects the specific areas of Tribal nonpoint source technical assistance could include coordinating a nonpoint source technical exchange, providing direct nonpoint source technical assistance planning to Tribes, convening Tribal nonpoint source training events, supporting Tribal staff travel to related events and coordinating with other federal agencies in delivering technical and financial assistance to Tribes. The successful applicant should clearly describe the activities they will take while integrating Indigenous knowledge into the technical assistance.
  • The applicant could also share staffing and funding opportunities across federal programs (e.g., United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of the Interior to better coordinate nonpoint source program work and leverage other federal funding opportunities.
    • Tribal Nonpoint Source Technical Exchange. 
      • The applicant should demonstrate their approach for supporting Tribal nonpoint source technical exchange opportunities, for example through the development of virtual and/or in-person events, web-based engagement (e.g., listserv, website), Tribal program peer-to-peer (e.g., mentor/mentee) and partnerships. The EPA expects applicants will primarily provide a supporting/facilitating role in providing Tribes opportunities to network, share nonpoint source program experiences and build partnerships. Applicants should describe their plans to support Tribal nonpoint source technical exchange through existing organizations (intertribal consortia) or programs (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 319 National Nonpoint Source Program, Gulf Hypoxia Program, etc.).
    • Direct Nonpoint Source Technical Assistance. 
      • The applicant should demonstrate how they will provide direct nonpoint source technical assistance to Tribes. For example, the applicant could provide training and assistance for Tribal staff to support the development of nonpoint source assessment reports and nonpoint source management plans; watershed-based planning; development of nonpoint source water quality monitoring and assessment strategies; gathering water quality and other related data to support nonpoint source program work; and/or assistance in planning, designing and implementing projects. The applicant could also assist Tribes with programmatic work planning and preparing and updating Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP) as a part of grants.
    • Tribal Nonpoint Source Training. 
      • The applicant should demonstrate how they may convene technical nonpoint source training events. Example training topics could include adopting a watershed approach in managing nonpoint source pollution, incorporating climate resiliency in nonpoint source management work, leveraging water quality data and integrating Indigenous knowledge to target nonpoint source work, building partnerships and accessing funding opportunities and supporting nonpoint source project planning, design and implementation. The applicant could coordinate with partners, to assist in the development and delivery of training workshops. The applicant should consider the involvement of Tribal colleges and universities, who could assist in the collaboration and coordination required to convene technical nonpoint source trainings. The applicant should include opportunities to support Tribal staff travel to in-person trainings.
      • Coordination with Other Federal Agencies for Technical and Financial Support. The applicant should demonstrate how the EPA’s funding will complement any work the applicant may by doing with other federal agencies to coordinate the delivery of nonpoint source and nonpoint source-related technical assistance across federal programs (e.g., Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of the Interior).
    • Nonpoint Source Tribal Travel Support. 
      • The applicant may provide support for Tribal representatives to travel to nonpoint source-related training events, conferences, meetings, etc. These events may include regional-based events, e.g., Hypoxia Task Force Meetings. Applicants may propose to use a portion of the assistance funds to defray transportation and subsistence expenses for non-federal attendees to attend nonpoint source-related events. The applicant is solely responsible for determining a methodology for selecting and funding reimbursement requests and providing a report on how participating non-federal attendees benefited from the nonpoint source- related events. The EPA will not participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel assistance.
• National Priority Area V: Training Workshop on Fish Monitoring and Advisory Programs 
  • The goal of National Priority Area V is to conduct a training workshop to build the capacity of states and Tribes to more effectively implement programs to protect human health from the effects of consuming contaminated fish caught in local waters.
  • The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to plan, prepare and conduct a hybrid workshop. The project components described below provide some detail on roles and responsibilities the successful applicant may be expected to assume. The description below does not attempt to be comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to identify additional workshop training topic areas and/or project components that may not be included in this announcement, but that may contribute to overall project success in their applications.
  • The overall goals of the training workshop related to the fish monitoring and advisories are: (1) to enhance communication, coordination and technology transfer among states, Tribes and federal agencies to ensure protection of human health including for vulnerable communities; (2) to build on lessons learned and advance the latest developments and innovations, including monitoring; and (3) to foster or increase inter-jurisdictional collaboration among states and Tribes. Examples of potential workshop topics include but are not limited to fish sampling and analysis; federal, state and Tribal advisory coordination; emerging issues such as harmful algal blooms (HABs) and fish consumption; risk assessment, epidemiology and toxicology; health benefits and risk management of fish consumption; and risk communication to all communities.

Funding Information

• The total amount of expected federal funding available under this announcement is approximately $2,100,000, depending on agency funding levels and other applicable considerations. It is anticipated that up to five awards will be made under this announcement and the awards will be funded incrementally.
• The following are the expected total award amounts for each of the five National Priority Activities:
  • One award for the State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops (National Priority Area I) will be incrementally funded for a total of $550,000 with a five-year project period.
  • One award for the State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops (National Priority Area II) in support of CWA Section 303(d), CWA Section 305(b), TMDLs and water quality monitoring and assessment (National Priority Area II). The award is anticipated to be incrementally funded for a total of $450,000 over the five-year project period.
  • One award for Training Workshops on Recreational Waters and Beach Monitoring Programs (National Priority Area III) will be incrementally funded for a total of $400,000 with a six-year project period.
  • One award for Nonpoint Source Technical Support for Tribes (National Priority Area IV). The award is anticipated to be incrementally funded for a total of $500,000 with a five-year project period.
  • One award for Training Workshops on Fish Monitoring and Advisory Programs (National Priority Area V). The award is anticipated to be incrementally funded for a total of $200,000 with a four-year project period.

Outputs

• Outputs (deliverables/products) refer to an environmental activity, effort and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal or objective, that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during the assistance agreement funding period.
• Examples of anticipated environmental outputs from the assistance agreements to be awarded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:
  • National Priority Area I: State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops: 
    • Technology and information transfer seminars and workshops to promote and build skill around:
      • aquatic resource monitoring methods and design, analyzing National Aquatic Resource Surveys data for use in national and regional reports.
      • innovative techniques for using probability-derived monitoring data to address state or Tribal water management program priorities.
    • Cross-resource dialogue on design and implementation innovations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state, regional and national monitoring and assessment of the Nation’s water resources.
      • Communication approaches and training materials that support the technical training workshops and communicate National Aquatic Resource Surveys results.
  • National Priority Area II: State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops in Support of CWA Section 303(d), CWA Section 305(b), TMDLs and Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment 
    • Organization and administration of training workshops to educate state, Tribal, territorial and other stakeholder personnel on system/tools to support implementation of the 303(d) Vision.
    • Written report that identifies training gaps and needs for state, Tribal, territorial and federal agency personnel.
  • National Priority Area III: Training Workshops on Recreational Waters or Beach Monitoring Programs: 
    • Training workshops related to the recreational waters or beach monitoring programs.
    • Summary document that includes abstracts and copies of any presentations given.
  • National Priority Area IV: Nonpoint Source Technical Support for Tribes 
    • Number of Tribes engaged in nonpoint source technical exchange opportunities during project period.
    • Number of Tribes receiving direct TA during project period.
    • Number of Tribes attending training events during project period.
    • Number of other agencies/programs collaborating in the delivery of nonpoint source trainings.
  • National Priority Area V: Training Workshop on Fish Monitoring and Advisory Programs: 
    • Training workshop related to the fish monitoring and advisory programs.
    • Summary document that includes abstracts and copies of any presentations given.

Outcomes

• Outcomes (objectives/goals) are the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes are used as a way to gauge a project’s performance. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature.
• Examples of anticipated outcomes from the assistance agreements to be awarded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:
  • National Priority Area I: State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops: 
    • Increased awareness of how to develop and use information from probability monitoring designs.
    • Improved quality of National Aquatic Resource Surveys data and analyses.
    • Increased consistency and comparability among national, state, interstate and Tribal monitoring and assessment techniques supporting a national integration of multi-scale water resource surveys.
  • National Priority Area II: State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops in Support of CWA Section 303(d), CWA Section 305(b), TMDLs and Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment 
    • Improved CWA 303(d), CWA 305(b) and TMDL reporting, including the transition from paper to an electronic process.
    • More effective and transparent demonstration of environmental progress in water quality protection and restoration.
    • Reduced reporting burden on states and Tribes.
  • National Priority Area III: Training Workshops on Recreational Waters or Beach Monitoring Programs:
    • Increased capacity of states and Tribes to reduce illnesses caused by exposure to pathogens and/or other contaminants in recreational waters or beaches.
    • Improved understanding of latest developments in monitoring methods, techniques and results for beaches and other recreational waters.
    • Enhanced coordination among states, Tribes and federal agencies on notification methods to ensure protection of human health, including vulnerable and/or disadvantaged communities.
  • National Priority Area IV: Nonpoint Source Technical Support for Tribes 
    • Strengthened intertribal relationships.
    • Increased awareness among Tribal nonpoint source programs about other Tribal nonpoint source management approaches.
    • More Tribes successfully securing financial assistance to implement priority projects.
    • Increased Tribal staff capacity to achieve nonpoint source management goals.
    • Tribal program has well-integrated support from the EPA and Federal Emergency Management Agency to achieve nonpoint source WQ outcomes at watershed scale.
  • National Priority Area V: Training Workshop on Fish Monitoring and Advisory Programs: 
    • Increased capacity of states and Tribes to more effectively implement programs to protect human health from effects of consuming contaminated fish caught in local waters.
    • Improved understanding of latest developments in monitoring methods and contaminants for fish and shellfish advisory programs.
    • Enhanced coordination among states, Tribes and federal agencies on notification methods to ensure protection of human health, including vulnerable and/or disadvantaged communities.

Eligibility Criteria

• States, local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, intertribal consortia, interstate agencies, territories, possessions of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia), public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories and public or private non-profit institutions1 are eligible to apply. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible. Nonprofit organizations that are not exempt from taxation under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code must submit other forms of documentation of nonprofit status, such as certificates of incorporation as nonprofit under state or Tribal law.
• Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501I(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible for the EPA funding as provided in the Lobbying Disclosure Act, 2 U.S.C. 1611.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.