National Wetland Program Development Grants (66.462)
Program
66.462 National Wetland Program Development Grants
Federal Agency
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Office: Office of Water
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3), Public Law 92-500, 33 U.S.C 1254(b)(3).
Program Number
66.462
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assist State, Tribal, local government (S/T/LG) agencies, and interstate/intertribal entities in building programs which protect, manage, and restore wetlands. The primary focus of the grants is to build state and tribal wetland programs. A secondary focus is to build local (e.g. county or municipal) programs. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: For the National WPDGs: EPA has identified the following five national priorities for this competition based on the four core elements of a Comprehensive State/Tribal Wetlands Program: 1) State/Tribal Technical and Meeting Support; 2) Regulation; 3) Monitoring, Assessment, and Mapping; 4) Voluntary Wetland Restoration and Protection; and 5) Water Quality Standards for Wetlands. Further explanation of all of the core areas can be found at the following website address: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/initiative/estp.html. The Wetlands Program Development Grants (WPDG) program strives to develop State/Tribal/local government programs that will incorporate each of these elements.
Types of Assistance
Cooperative Agreements
Uses and Use Restrictions
The National WPDGs are intended to encourage comprehensive, national wetlands program development by promoting the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. Projects build the capacity of States, Tribes, and local governments programs to effectively protect wetland and riparian resources. Activities must help S/T/LGs develop and refine wetland programs. Projects funded under this program support the initial development of a national wetlands protection, restoration or management program, or support enhancement/refinement of an existing national program. Projects must be broad in scope and encompass more than one State and/or Tribe and cannot be limited to activities that affect such entities in only one EPA region. For example, projects and tasks can involve advancing science or collecting and making available through publications and other appropriate means, such as training on how information about how various wetland programs across the nation protect, manage, and restore their wetland resources and about initiatives to improve S/T/LG wetland programs. Projects that are local or encompass only one EPA Region in scope are not eligible for funding under this program but may be eligible for funding under EPA's Regional Wetland Program Development Grants program (CFDA 66.461). Funds cannot be used for the purchase of land or conservation easements. Funds cannot be used for implementation of individual mitigation projects, mitigation banks, or in-lieu-fee mitigation programs. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov. EPA's Five Star Restoration Training Grant is anticipated to fund one cooperative agreement to an organization to manage the Five Star Restoration Training Grant subaward process that will award subgrants to achieve environmental training through voluntary, community/watershed-based wetland restoration projects. Projects funded under the subgrant process must be limited to activities that conduct or promote the coordination and acceleration of training relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. Other activities under section 104(b)(3) will not be considered for funding. Funds cannot be used for the purchase of land or conservation easements. Funds cannot be used for implementation of individual mitigation projects, mitigation banks, or in-lieu-fee mitigation programs. Wetland restoration training projects cannot include wetlands constructed for the purposes of treating wastewater or stormwater only. The assistance agreement award under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Non-profit, non-governmental organizations, Interstate agencies, and Intertribal consortia which are capable of undertaking activities that advance wetland programs on a national basis are eligible to compete in this program. The term "interstate agency" is defined in CWA Section 502 as "an agency of two or more States established by or pursuant to an agreement or compact approved by the Congress, or any other agency of two or more States, having substantial powers or duties pertaining to the control of pollution as determined and approved by the Administrator." Intertribal consortia must meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 35.504. 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
State, Tribal, and local governments involved in administering wetlands protection, restoration, and/or management programs or programs related to or complement wetlands protection programs.
Credentials/Documentation
Non-profit applicants may be asked to provide documentation that they meet the definition of a non-profit organization in OMB Circular A-122. Interstate organizations may be asked to provide a citation to the statutory authority, which establishes their status. Intertribal consortia may be asked to provide documentation that they meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 35.504. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms, as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular A-102, must be used for this program. 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. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. The EPA Headquarters (HQ) Office will conduct the competitive process for awarding National Wetland Program Development Grants. Interested applicants should review information on the National Wetland Program Development Grants at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/grantguidelines/. Submittal instructions can be found in the competitive announcement.The EPA Headquarters (HQ) Office will conduct the competitive process for awarding the Five-Star Restoration Training Grant. Interested applicants should review information on the Five-Star Restoration Training Grant at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/grantguidelines/. Submittal instructions can be found in the competitive announcement.All applicants will be notified by the HQ Office on whether or not the applicant has been selected for funding. The notification is not an authorization to begin performance. The Grant Award document signed by the appropriate grant official in the EPA HQ Office is the authorizing document. Applicants selected for funding must submit a final workplan and grant application forms. Application forms are available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/index.htm and by mail upon request to the Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division at (202) 564-5305. Completed applications should be submitted to HQ. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.
Award Procedure
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
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Grants are usually approved within 4 months of receipt of completed application.
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
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. The applicant must provide a minimum of 25 percent of the total cost of the workplan to the extent allowed by 40 CFR 31.24, 35.385, and 35.615. To determine if the minimum match is met, EPA will use the following formula: amount (in dollars) of federal funds requested from EPA divided by 3 = minimum match (in dollars)or Total project amount (in dollars) divided by 4 = minimum match (in dollars).For example, if the applicant requests $75,000 of federal funds or has a total project cost of $100,000 for a three-year project period, it must be able to provide $25,000 in matching funds or services. A reduced match may be available for Tribal grantees that place the Wetland Program Development Grant funds in a Performance Partnership Grant. (See regulations at 40 CFR 536(c)). States and Tribes can provide a larger share of the project's cost whenever possible (i.e., in excess of the required 25 percent of total project costs). Award recipients can meet the match requirements with in-kind or monetary contributions from entities other than themselves. However, other Federal money cannot be used as the match for this grant program unless authorized by the statute governing the award of the other Federal funds. Matching funds are considered grant funds. They must be used for the reasonable and necessary expenses of carrying out the assistance agreement workplan. Any restrictions on the use of grant funds (i.e., prohibition of land acquisition with grant funds) also apply to the matching funds.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The terms of the grant shall be determined at time of grant award. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Other. The method of fund disbursement will be determined at the time of award.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Specific reporting requirements are also identified in the Grant Regulations at 40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFR Part 31, as applicable. Program reports are required under this program. Cash reports are required under this program. Progress reports are required under this program. Expenditure reports are required under this program. Performance monitoring is required under this program.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal 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 Circular No. A-133. 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
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 until expiration of 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
Fiscal Year 2008: In FY 08, 19 proposals were received in response to the National WPDG competitive announcement released July 28, 2008 and approximately 9 proposals were selected for award. Grants have been awarded to: develop and organize a Wetlands Assessment Technical Assistance Center in EPA Region 4; advance the protection of Playa wetlands through the study of effective buffers; develop a Northeast Regional Floristic Quality Index; prepare a National Mitigation Bank Performance Study; develop a Model In-Lieu Fee Instrument; and protect wetlands by enhancing state and local regulatory programs. The FY 09 competitive process for the National WPDGs is still ongoing. In FY 08, EPA issued a competitive announcement for the Five-Star Restoration Training Grant and in FY 09 awarded one cooperative agreement for $1,300,000 to organize and manage the Five Star Restoration Training Grant subaward process that will undertake projects that achieve environmental training through voluntary, community/watershed-based wetland restoration projects. Fiscal Year 2009: In FY 08, EPA issued a competitive announcement for the Five-Star Restoration Training Grant and in FY 09 awarded one cooperative agreement for $1,300,000 to organize and manage the Five Star Restoration Training Grant subaward process that will undertake projects that achieve environmental training through voluntary, community/watershed-based wetland restoration projects. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304.
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $600,000; FY 09 est $1,800,000; FY 10 est $500,000 - National Wetlands Program Development Grants: FY 08 $600,000; FY 09 est. $500,000; and FY 10 est. $500,000. Five-Star Restoration Training Grant: FY 08 $0; FY 09 $1,300,000; and FY 10 est. $0.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
National Wetlands Program Development Grants: $25,000 to $225,000/fiscal year; $100,000/fiscal year; Five-Star Restoration Training Grant: $1,300,000 every four years; $1,300,000/ every four years.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
General Grant Regulations and Procedures, 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31, 40 CFR 35.610, OMB Circular A-122, or OMB Circular A-87, as applicable.
Related Programs
66.419 Water Pollution Control State, Interstate, and Tribal Program Support; 66.454 Water Quality Management Planning; 66.456 National Estuary Program; 66.458 Capitalization Grants for Clean Water State Revolving Funds; 66.461 Regional Wetland Program Development Grants; 66.479 Wetland Program Grants - State/Tribal Environmental Outcome Wetland Demonstration Program
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Myra Price, Wetlands Division (4502T), Office of Oceans, Wetlands, and Watersheds,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: price.myra@epa.gov Phone: (202) 566-1225.
Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: The Wetland Program Development Grant database will provide project information for the National Wetland Program Development Grants (http://yosemite.epa.gov/water/grant.nsf). Examples of funded projects include: wetland and stream mitigation studies; development of market-based wetland protection tools; wetland management training workshops; development of wetland modeling tools; studies on the functions and values of wetland ecosystems; planning and holding national meetings on CWA Section 404 mitigation issues; and development of education information on wetlands for state/tribal/local government officials and/or the public. The Five-Star Restoration Training Grant supports the management and oversight of the Five Star Restoration Training Grant subaward process that will bring together citizen groups, corporations, youth conservation corps, students, landowners, and government agencies to undertake projects that achieve environmental training through voluntary, community/watershed-based wetland restoration projects. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.
