Water Quality Management Planning

 

To assist States (including territories and the District of Columbia), Regional Public Comprehensive Planning Organizations (RPCPOs), and Interstate Organizations (IOs) in carrying out water quality management (WQM) planning. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2023: Funds are allotted by state in accordance with Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act. Grant funds are used to determine the nature and extent of point and non-point source water pollution and to develop water quality management plans. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA, Public Law 117-58), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will infuse approximately $127,000,000 into states planning efforts between Fiscal Years 2022 - 2026. Consistent with Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (November 15, 2021) and the EPA FY22 26 EPA Strategic Plan, EPA developed interim implementation guidelines for the award and administration of 604(b) funds that promote the integration of climate, equity, and environmental justice considerations into states water quality management planning programs and activities. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2024: Funds will be allotted by state in accordance with Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act. Grant funds are used to determine the nature and extent of point and non-point source water pollution and to develop water quality management plans. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA, Public Law 117-58), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will infuse approximately $127,000,000 into states planning efforts between Fiscal Years 2022 2026. Consistent with Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (November 15, 2021) and the EPA FY22 26 EPA Strategic Plan, EPA developed interim implementation guidelines for the award and administration of 604(b) funds that promote the integration of climate, equity, and environmental justice considerations into states water quality management planning programs and activities.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
66.454
Federal Agency/Office
Environmental Protection Agency
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
A - Formula Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 Section 604(b) funding provides the financial source for States and territories to pursue water quality planning under Sections 205(j) and 303(e) of the Clean Water Act. This program provides a planning framework to support watershed restoration and protection activities. In FY 16, a total of 56 grants will be awarded to States and territories to support water quality planning activities. Outputs included new/updated water quality management plans, new/revised water quality standards, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), river planning projects, ambient monitoring data to support water quality assessments, and integrated 304(b)/303(d) reports Section 604(b) funding provides the financial source for States and territories to pursue water quality planning under Sections 205(j) and 303(e) of the Clean Water Act. This program provides a planning framework to support watershed restoration and protection activities. In FY 16, a total of 56 grants will be awarded to States and territories to support water quality planning activities. Outputs included new/updated water quality management plans, new/revised water quality standards, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), river planning projects, ambient monitoring data to support water quality assessments, and integrated 304(b)/303(d) reports.
Fiscal Year 2017 Section 604(b) funding provides the financial source for States and territories to pursue water quality planning under Sections 205(j) and 303(e) of the Clean Water Act. This program provides a planning framework to support watershed restoration and protection activities. In FY 17, a total of 56 grants will be awarded to States and territories to support water quality planning activities. Outputs included new/updated water quality management plans, new/revised water quality standards, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), river planning projects, ambient monitoring data to support water quality assessments, and integrated 304(b)/303(d) reports.
Fiscal Year 2018 Section 604(b) funding provides the financial source for States and territories to pursue water quality planning under Sections 205(j) and 303(e) of the Clean Water Act. This program provides a planning framework to support watershed restoration and protection activities. In FY 18, a total of 56 grants were awarded to States and territories to support water quality planning activities. Outputs included new/updated water quality management plans, new/revised water quality standards, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), river planning projects, ambient monitoring data to support water quality assessments, and integrated 304(b)/303(d) reports.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022, a total of 56 grants were awarded to States and territories to support water quality planning activities. Outputs include new/updated water quality management plans, new/revised water quality standards, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), other restoration and protection plans, ambient monitoring data to support water quality assessments, and integrated 304(b)/303(d) reports.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY 2023, a total of 56 grants will be awarded to States and territories to support water quality planning activities. Outputs include new/updated water quality management plans, new/revised water quality standards, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), other restoration and protection plans, ambient monitoring data to support water quality assessments, and integrated 304(b)/303(d) reports.
Authorization
Clean Water Act: Sections 204(j)(1) & 205(j)(2) & Section 604(b) & Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (PL 117-58)
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
State and U.S. Territory Water Quality Management Agencies.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and U.S. Territory Water Quality Management Agencies; Regional Public Comprehensive Planning Organizations and Appropriate Interstate Organizations.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov.
Award Procedure
Grant applications are reviewed by the appropriate EPA Regional Office and, if approved, the funds are awarded by the Regional Administrator.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 30 to 60 days. Approximately 45 days.
Appeals
Disputes will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Funds are awarded to state agencies in accordance with Sections 205(j) and 303(e) of the Clean Water Act, 40 CFR 130.5-6, and EPA program guidance.
How may assistance be used?
Section 604(b) funds are awarded under Section 205(j)(2) to State water quality management agencies to carry out WQM planning. Pursuant to Section 205(j)(3) of the CWA, as amended, States are required to jointly develop workplans with RPCPOs and IOs and allocate at least 40 percent of funds awarded under 205(j)(2) to eligible RPCPOs and IOs. EPA may approve a State's request to pass through less than 40 percent if, after consultation with its RPCPOs and IOs, the Governor determines that pass through of at least 40 percent will not: (1) result in significant participation by RPCPOs and IOs in WQM planning; and (2) significantly assist in development and implementation of the state's WQM plan. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Geospatial information is information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features or boundaries on the earth, or applications, tools, and hardware associated with the generation, maintenance, or distribution of such information. This information may be derived from, among other things, GPS, remote sensing, mapping, charting, and surveying technologies, or statistical data. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial).
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Reporting requirements shall be determined at the time of grant award.
Auditing
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.
Records
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 as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title Protection of the Environment Chapter 40 Part 35 Subpart 412 Public Law Clean Water Act Section 604(b) Each fiscal year, the Administrator shall reserve under Section 604(b) of the CWA for each State an amount not to exceed one percent of the amount allotted and available for obligation for Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) or $100,000, whichever is greater, for the purposes of making grants to the States to carry out water quality management planning. For fiscal years 2022 through 2026, total 604(b) allotments will be comprised of approximately 1% (or $100,000 if greater) of the total of three distinct CWSRF appropriations: (1) CWSRF base, (2) IIJA supplemental, and (3) IIJAL emerging contaminants. See also 40 CFR 35.412.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The term of the grant shall be determined at the time of grant award. The method of fund disbursement will be determined at the time of award.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Joseph Ziobro, Biologist
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (Mail Code: 4501T)
Washington, DC 20460 US
ziobro.joseph@epa.gov
Phone: 202-566-2995
Website Address
https://www.epa.gov/nps/water-quality-management-planning-grants
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 22$11,708,000.00; FY 23 est $7,600,000.00; FY 24 est $7,600,000.00; FY 21$16,456,000.00; FY 20$16,458,000.00; FY 19$16,456,000.00; FY 18$16,608,000.00; FY 17$14,047,000.00; FY 16 est $14,140,000.00; - (Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) base)(Formula Grants) FY 22$17,984,000.00; FY 23 est $21,057,000.00; FY 24 est $22,721,110.00; FY 21$0.00; - (IIJA CWSRF supplemental)(Formula Grants) FY 22$950,000.00; FY 23 est $2,152,000.00; FY 24 est $2,137,500.00; FY 21$0.00; - (IIJA CWSRF emerging contaminants)
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Range: $100,000 to $3,378,000/fiscal year; Average: $547,179/fiscal year.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
2 CFR Part 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs); and 40 CFR Part 35 SubPart A (Environmental Program Grants) or SubPart B (Environmental Program Grants for Tribes. Guidance for Management of Section 205(j)(1) and 604(b) Funds During Fiscal Years 1988-1990; FY1995/96 Sections 106/604(b) Eligibility, Negotiation, Award, and Oversight Guidance; Award of Water Quality Management Planning Grants with Funds Appropriated by ARRA (2009); and Interim Implementation Guidelines for Clean Water Act Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grants for Fiscal Years 2022 through 2026.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 Grants are allocated to States for: 1) development of water quality management plans; 2) development of watershed plans; 3) development of waste load allocations for impaired waterbodies; 4) reviews and revisions of water quality standards; and 5) collection and analysis of ambient monitoring data. Grants are allocated to States for: 1) development of water quality management plans; 2) development of watershed plans; 3) development of waste load allocations for impaired waterbodies; 4) reviews and revisions of water quality standards; and 5) collection and analysis of ambient monitoring data.
Fiscal Year 2018 Grants are allocated to States for: 1) development of water quality management plans; 2) development of watershed plans; 3) development of waste load allocations for impaired waterbodies; 4) reviews and revisions of water quality standards; and 5) collection and analysis of ambient monitoring data.
Fiscal Year 2022 Funds were allocated to States for a range of activities as specified in CWA sections 205(j)(2) and 303(e) and EPA 604(b) and related guidance documents, including: conducting ambient monitoring; developing, revising, and reviewing water quality standards; developing lists of impaired waters as required under section 303(d) and developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs); updating water quality management plans in accordance with 40 CFR 130.6; developing continuing planning processes (CPPs) as required under section 303(e)(2); preparing water quality inventories as required under section 305(b); developing other restoration and protection plans; supporting water quality program planning and development; assessing the extent to which water quality management planning activities and programs benefit disadvantaged communities; determining whether institutional barriers exist that prevent these communities from accessing water program benefits; identifying actions that could enhance the delivery of Clean Water Act programs and benefits to disadvantaged communities; assessing the extent to which water quality management planning activities and programs consider climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience; and identifying actions to advance climate goals through water quality planning that informs program implementation.
Fiscal Year 2023 Funds are allocated to States for a range of activities as specified in CWA sections 205(j)(2) and 303(e) and EPA 604(b) and related guidance documents, including: conducting ambient monitoring; developing, revising, and reviewing water quality standards; developing lists of impaired waters as required under section 303(d) and developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs); updating water quality management plans in accordance with 40 CFR 130.6; developing continuing planning processes (CPPs) as required under section 303(e)(2); preparing water quality inventories as required under section 305(b); developing other restoration and protection plans; supporting water quality program planning and development; assessing the extent to which water quality management planning activities and programs benefit disadvantaged communities; determining whether institutional barriers exist that prevent these communities from accessing water program benefits; identifying actions that could enhance the delivery of Clean Water Act programs and benefits to disadvantaged communities; assessing the extent to which water quality management planning activities and programs consider climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience; and identifying actions to advance climate goals through water quality planning that informs program implementation.

 


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