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 Priority - Fiscal Year 2019: 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. States are encouraged to give priority to watershed restoration planning. EPA is requesting states to emphasize a watershed approach in developing their state workplans. This will complement the Agency's overall watershed effort as stated in the Agency's Strategic Plan.

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 2019 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 19, 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), river planning projects, ambient monitoring data to support water quality assessments, and integrated 304(b)/303(d) reports.
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 205(j) and 604(b), as amended, Public Law 97-117
Water Quality Act of 1987, Public Law 100-4
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
State Water Quality Management Agencies.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State Water Quality Management Agencies.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. 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. The standard application forms, as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 2 CFR 200 and 1500 as applicable, must be used for this program. .
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 https://www.grants.gov. Additional information on applying for EPA grants can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/how-apply-grants
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 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.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Performance monitoring is required under this program. Frequency will 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
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 kept for 3 years from date of submission of the annual financial status report. If questions remain, records retained until 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 or $100,000, whichever is greater, for the purposes of making grants to the States to carry out water quality management planning. 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
As determined in accordance with Section 604(c)(1) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Sums allotted to a State under this section for a fiscal year shall be available for EPA's obligation to the State during the fiscal year for which sums are authorized and during the following fiscal year. 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
Chris Solloway
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Nonpoint Source Management Branch, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (Mail Code: 4503T)
Washington, DC 20460 US
solloway.chris@epa.gov
Phone: 202-566-1202
Website Address
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-water#wetlands
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0102-0-1-304
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 18$16,608,000.00; FY 19 est $16,456,000.00; FY 20 FY 17$14,047,000.00; FY 16 est $14,140,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Range: $100,000 to $1,478,000/fiscal year; Average: $251,000/fiscal year.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Grant regulations at 2 CFR 200 and 1500 as applicable, and 40 CFR Part 35, Subpart A.
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 2019 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.

 


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