Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants (66.480)
Program
66.480 Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF WATER, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3).
Program Number
66.480
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To support the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. The two main goals of the Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants (AWPPGs) include supporting a watershed approach to better address water quality problems in the U.S. 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 2005: Watershed Program funding in the following three areas: (1) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Technical Conference, (2) Advancing the TMDL Program Nationally, and (3) TMDL Technical Support. Nonpoint Source Program funding in the following ten areas: (1) Watershed Planning: Tools and Web-Based Decision Support Systems, (2) Provide a National Conference on NPS Education and Outreach, (3) Support Watershed Education in Schools, (4) Promote Adoption of Vanguard Communities Outreach Initiative, (5) Low Impact Design Tool Development for Transportation Projects, (6) Low Impact Development Workshops for Residential Developments, (7) Low Impact Development Demonstration at a Large Scale Retail Store, (8) Reducing the Impacts of Buildings and Communities on Water Resources through Design, (9) Regional Conference to Foster Better Water Quality through Better Government Collaboration on Working Lands, and (10) Support for World Water Monitoring Day.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
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.
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 program, the Agency may limit eligibility to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistant 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.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
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. 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, considering relevance and likelihood of success of proposed projects. When making competitive awards, EPA will specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications. If an applicant submits an unsolicited proposal it will be reviewed and evaluated in accordance with Agency policy and procedures. For more information regarding the procedures for submitting unsolicited proposals, applicants may 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 Procedure
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 Administration 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.
Award Procedure
EPA will review applications or proposals in accordance with the criteria specified in the Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals. Competitions will be conducted under EPA Order No. 5700.5, Policy for Competition in Assistance Agreements. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the announcement of the competitive funding opportunity. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.
Deadlines
Deadlines will be specified in Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
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 competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 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
EPA normally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. EPA limits project periods to 5 years. 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 (non-profits 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.
Program Accomplishments
In FY 04, 312 preproposals were received and 22 were funded. Awards went towards watershed planning tools and trainings.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304; EPM.
Obligations
FY 04 $222,000; FY 05 est $900,000; and FY 06 est $900,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$1,000 to $500,000/fiscal year; $250,500/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).
Related Programs
66.436, Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Training Grants and Cooperative Agreements - Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act.
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 Administration Division, 3903R, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact: Diane Edwards, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, Phone: (202) 566-1254; e-mail: Edwards.diane@epa.gov. Katie Flahive, Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, Phone: (202) 566-1206; e-mail: flahive.katie@epa.gov.
Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html
Examples of Funded Projects
EPA awards grants to support the following types of watershed planning activities: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development; low impact development activities and demonstration projects; education; outreach; and watershed planning computer tool development.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Competitive applications and proposals will be selected in accordance with announced criteria.
