Long Island Sound Program (66.437)
Program
66.437 Long Island Sound Program
Federal Agency
LONG ISLAND SOUND OFFICE, OFFICE OF WATER, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 119(d).
Program Number
66.437
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To (1) implement the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and (2) assist the states of Connecticut and New York, and other public or nonprofit entities in conducting research, experiments, investigations, training, demonstration, surveys or studies related to reducing pollution and improving the quality of the environment to sustain living resources in Long Island Sound. Funding Priority: EPA's funding priority is to award grants that support the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) National Estuary Program. Section 119(d) of the Clean Water Act as amended by the Long Island Sound Restoration Act of 2000, P.L. 106-457 authorizes the Administrator to award grants to eligible entities to implement the LISS Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), with special emphasis on implementation, research and planning, enforcement, and citizen involvement and education projects. The LISS management conference, with participants from state, interstate and regional environmental agencies, local governments and other public or nonprofit private agencies, research institutions and individuals, develops programs to protect and restore Long Island Sound. The LISS program characterizes the problems in the estuary, determines relationships between pollutant loading and impacts on living resources, maintains a comprehensive plan recommending solutions to priority problems, and implements actions addressing priority problem areas.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds may be used to implement elements of the Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. Special emphasis shall be give to CCMP implementation projects, research and planning, enforcement, and citizen involvement and education projects. The Administrator may give priority to a distressed community as defined in 33 U.S.C. 1269(e)(1).
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies, and other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations are eligible. Private profit-making entities, and individuals are not eligible. For certain competitive funding opportunities, the Agency may limit eligibility to a particular subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's competition policy.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Assistance under this program generally benefits state, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies and other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations. The general public and Long Island Sound user groups such as swimmers, beachgoers, sport and commercial fishermen, boaters, and shellfishers, benefit from the results of the program through cleaner water, restored and protected habitat, and preserved and enhanced ecosystems.
Credentials/Documentation
Nonprofit private agencies, institutions and organizations may be required to provide documentation of their organizational status upon application.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The Long Island Sound Office (LISO) issues annual guidance on the form and content of pre-proposals. All pre-proposals or work statements should be consistent with LISO's guidance. Consultation or technical assistance may be available upon request from the LISO to aid applicants in preparing their pre-proposal. This program is eligible for coverage under Executive Order 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. An environmental impact statement or environmental impact assessment is not required for this program.
Application Procedure
The LISS management conference annually releases a request for pre-proposals in the Fall through the LISO. Pre-proposals are due to the LISO generally by early January or as specified in the guidance. The LISS management committee reviews pre-proposals in late January to identify areas of concern and to request additional information or clarification on proposals through the LISO. The LISO coordinates review of pre-proposals among the several LISS technical work groups and teams to ensure consistency with program goals and objectives as outlined in the CCMP and other priorities as directed by the management committee. If necessary, project proposers are contacted by the LISO to provide the additional information or clarification. The LISO coordinates review of the revised proposals and develops funding recommendations for the management committee's consideration in April. The management committee makes final decisions on funding pre-proposals at that time, or as otherwise specified. Proposers are advised of the status of their request by the LISO within 30 days of the management committee's final decisions. Successful proposers are asked to submit formal grant applications using the standard Federal forms. The deadline for submitting applications may vary by EPA Region, but is generally July 1. Applications not received by the deadline are not further considered for funding. Unallocated funds are carried over or otherwise used to further the purposes of this program at the discretion of the management committee. Federal grant application forms may be obtained on the EPA world-wide website, http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/index.htm or requested from either the EPA Region I or II grants management office as follows: for Connecticut, EPA Region I, Grants Management Office, One Congress Street, Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02111; for New York, EPA Region II, Grants and Contracts Management Branch, 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007-1866, with a copy to the LISO to assist with processing. The standard federal application forms as required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. The completed grant application should be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional grants management office.
Award Procedure
Each federal assistance application and final work plan will be evaluated by the LISO to determine the adequacy of the application under LISS priorities and objectives, including technical merit and relevance of the project to the implementation of the CCMP and for consistency with the pre-application proposal. Each application will also be subject to an administrative review by the EPA Region I or II grants management office as appropriate to determine whether all administrative requirements have been met. The LISO prepares an annual consolidated work plan detailing the projects and programs to be funded. The work plan is submitted to the EPA Region I and II Administrators (RA) for approval prior to award of any assistance agreement. Once the RAs approve the annual work plan, funds are awarded by the EPA Region I or II Administrator as appropriate. Grantees will receive an award package from the appropriate EPA Regional grants management office that must be accepted and signed by an authorized official of the recipient organization and returned to the GMO within 30 days. Awards may be made on an advance or reimbursement basis. Awards that are not signed and returned by the deadline may be subject to cancellation. For competitive awards, EPA will review applications, proposals or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria in the solicitation/announcement of the competitive funding opportunity. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.
Deadlines
Requests For Proposals (RFPs) will be announced for several different themes in support of the Long Island Sound Study Program's goals at different times during the year. Contact the EPA LISO for specific annual application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Appeals are subject to the provisions described in 40 CFR Part 30.63 and Part 31, Subpart F.
Renewals
Renewals are subject to approval of EPA. A one-time No Cost Time Extension is available to grantees upon notice to the appropriate EPA grants management office.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula. (33 USC 1269(d)(3)). Federal costs for citizen involvement and education grants shall not exceed 95% of the total cost of the grant or cooperative agreement; for all other grants and cooperative agreements, Federal costs shall not exceed 50% of the total cost of the grant or cooperative agreement. EPA has determined that annual matching requirements for LISS grant awards shall be met in the aggregate for all funds awarded as specified in the annual work plan.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance agreements are generally made for a one-year period corresponding to the federal fiscal year, October-September. Awards may be made for longer periods upon justification and with the approval of EPA. Awards may be made by advance or reimbursement at the discretion of EPA.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly, interim, and final progress and/or financial status reports; program evaluation and other reports (such as equipment and invention reports) as required by the specific terms of the Agreement. Financial Status Reports on the standard federal form must be submitted.
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 $300,000 ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after December 31, 2003) 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 $300,000 ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after December 31, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained for three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
FY03: Reduction in point source nitrogen loadings to Long Island Sound from baseline level of 210,313 lbs/day to 159,969 lbs/day; continued reducing trend in areal extent of hypoxic events in Long Island Sound from 17 year average of 205 square miles; restored 510 acres of critical tidal wetlands habitat; reopened 47 river miles to anadromous fish passage. FY03: Reduction in point source nitrogen loadings to Long Island Sound from baseline level of 210,313 lbs/day to 145,203 lbs/day; reduced areal extent of hypoxic events in Long Island Sound from 16 year average of 197 square miles to 130 square miles; restored 510 acres of critical tidal wetlands habitat; reopened 47 river miles to anadromous fish passage.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304; 68-0103-0-1-304.
Obligations
FY 04 $2,990,435; FY 05 $2,793,421; and FY 05 est $500,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Range - $20,000 to $600,000; Average - $50,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
LISS grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations, 40CFR Part 35; 40CFR Part 30 or 40CFR Part 31; annual EPA Office of Water National Estuaries Program guidance; the LISS CCMP, and Long Island Sound 2003 or successor Agreement.
Related Programs
10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention; 10.906, Watershed Surveys and Planning; 10.914, Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program; 11.419. Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards; 11.420, Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves; 15.608, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance; 15.611, Wildlife Restoration; 15.614, Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act; 15.615, Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund; 15.616, Clean Vessel Act; 15.630, Coastal Program; 66.419, Water Pollution Control State and Interstate Program Support; 66.454, Water Quality Management Planning; 66.456, National Estuary Program; 66.460, Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants; 66.463, Water Quality Cooperative Agreements.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
USEPA Long Island Sound Office, Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, Suite 6-5, Stamford, Connecticut 06904; Telephone, (203) 977-1541; FAX, (203) 977-1546. Attention: Mark Tedesco. E-mail: tedesco.mark@epa.gov.
Headquarters Office
USEPA Office of Water; Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds; Oceans and Coastal Protection Division; USEPA West, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Contact: Darrell Brown, Telephone, (202) 566-1256; FAX, (202) 566-1334; E-mail: brown.darrell@epa.gov.
Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lis
Examples of Funded Projects
Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, water quality monitoring, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) Hypoxia: sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) Habitat Restoration: restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) Monitoring: Coordinated water quality monitoring and data interpretation in the Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) Communication/Outreach: Provide communication, outreach and education components of the LISS partnership; and (5) Modeling: Continue to develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked airshed-watershed-estuarine hydrodynamic-water quality-living resources models to support the LISS for understanding the nutrient and sediment affects in the Long Island Sound estuary system.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Pre-proposals are approved by the Management Committee according to technical merit of the proposal and its relevance to the LISS CCMP, the Long Island Sound 2003 or successor Agreement, the directives of the LISS Policy Committee, and the annual priorities and recommendations of the LISS Management Committee and the Science and Technical Advisory Committee. Applications are approved by EPA upon recommendation by the Management Committee and based on the technical merit of the application submitted.
