[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 165 (Monday, August 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54810-54815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21670]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7268-1]


FY03 Wetland Program Development Grants Guidelines

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) provide eligible 
applicants an opportunity to conduct projects that promote 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. While WPDGs can continue to be used by recipients to build 
and refine any element of a comprehensive wetland program, priority 
will be given to funding projects that address the three areas 
identified by EPA for FY03:

[[Page 54811]]

Developing a comprehensive monitoring and assessment program; improving 
the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation; and refining the 
protection of vulnerable wetlands and aquatic resources. States, 
Tribes, local governments (S/T/LGs), interstate associations, 
intertribal consortia, and national non-profit, non-governmental 
organizations are eligible to apply. This document describes the grant 
selection and award process for eligible applicants interested in 
applying for FY03 WPDGs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Cahanap, Office of Wetlands, 
Oceans, and Watersheds, Wetlands Division (MC 4502T), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: (202) 566-1382, Fax: (202) 566-1349.

Robert H. Wayland III,
Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds.

I. Introduction

    The goals of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) wetland 
program include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the 
U.S. by conserving and regaining wetland acreage and improving wetland 
health. In pursuing these goals, EPA seeks to build the capacity of all 
levels of government to develop and implement effective, comprehensive 
programs for wetland protection and management. The six program areas 
central to achieving these goals are: regulation, monitoring and 
assessment, restoration, wetland water quality standards, public-
private partnerships, and coordination among agencies with wetland or 
wetland-related programs.
    The Wetland Program Development Grants, initiated in FY90, provide 
States, Tribes, local governments (S/T/LGs), interstate associations, 
intertribal consortia, and national non-profit non-governmental 
organizations (hereafter referred to as award applicants or award 
recipients) an opportunity to carry out projects to develop and refine 
comprehensive wetland programs. Interest in the grant program has 
continued to grow over the years. Since 1995, Congress has appropriated 
$15 million annually to support the grant program. The type of projects 
that award recipients can undertake to develop and refine their 
comprehensive wetland programs are diverse. In the past, award 
recipients have pursued a wide range of activities, such as developing 
management tools for wetland resources, advancing scientific and 
technical tools for protecting wetland health, improving availability 
of data and information about wetlands, and training wetland managers 
and the public about wetland and watershed values. Appendix B lists 
other examples of potentially eligible projects.
    The statutory authority for WPDGs is section 104(b)(3) of the Clean 
Water Act (CWA). Section 104(b)(3) of the CWA restricts the use of 
these grants to developing and refining wetland management programs by 
conducting or 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. These grants may not be used for 
the operational support of wetland programs. All projects funded 
through this program must contribute to the overall development and 
improvement of S/T/LG wetland programs. Award applicants must 
demonstrate that their proposed project integrates with S/T/LG wetland 
programs.
    The general award and administration process for WPDGs are governed 
by regulations at 40 CFR part 30 (``Grants and Agreements with 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit 
Organizations''), 40 CFR part 31 (``Uniform Administrative Requirements 
for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments'') 
and 40 CFR part 35, subpart A (``Environmental Program Grants for 
State, Interstate, and Local Government Agencies'') and subpart B 
(``Environmental Program Grants for Tribes''). This grant guideline 
document outlines the administrative and programmatic procedures 
specific to the Wetland Program Development Grants.

II. Program Priorities

    EPA has initiated an assessment of the wetland program elements 
that will move S/T/LGs toward developing comprehensive wetland 
programs. For FY03, the wetland program has identified three areas as 
program priorities for improving S/T/LG's ability to protect and 
restore their wetlands: (1) Developing a comprehensive wetland 
monitoring and assessment program; (2) improving the effectiveness of 
compensatory mitigation; and (3) refining the protection of vulnerable 
wetlands and aquatic resources. Applicants are encouraged to develop 
WPDG applications that address these priorities.

A. Developing a Comprehensive Monitoring and Assessment Program

    This solicitation seeks proposals that support the development of a 
comprehensive S/T/LG wetland monitoring and assessment program. State 
and Tribal adoption of an ambient wetland monitoring and assessment 
program is the primary goal of this solicitation (i.e., projects that 
build S/T/LG capacity to determine the causes, effects, and extent of 
pollution to wetland resources and develop pollution prevention, 
reduction, and elimination strategies). More information related to 
wetland monitoring and assessment can be found on the Internet at: 
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/factsheets/monitor.pdf and http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/factsheets/devgrants.pdf.
    Project proposals may address development, testing, and 
demonstration of methods and programs to monitor and assess wetlands. 
Projects may evaluate:
    1. The use of biological assessment methods to improve the 
evaluation and ranking of potential wetland sites for restoration or 
acquisition;
    2. The ecological consequences of a given regulatory action or 
group of actions;
    3. The specifications and implementation of compensatory wetland 
mitigation;
    4. The ecological performance of wetland restoration; and/or
    5. The cumulative effect of wetland loss and restoration in terms 
of change in the ambient ecological condition of the overall aquatic 
resource.

Proposals should address how work to accomplish the particular 
objective(s) assists S/T/LGs to implement comprehensive wetland 
monitoring and assessment programs.
    Proposals also should describe how methods under development will 
improve decision-making across various surface water management 
programs. Provisional reporting of ambient wetland condition, in Clean 
Water Act Section 305(b) reports, is a logical first step toward 
meeting that particular objective. When preparing proposals, care 
should be given to ensure that any data collected under the grant is of 
such qualitythat it can be relied on for other purposes (as 
appropriate). Accordingly, applicants may host technical training 
workshops, establish regional or State interagency wetland monitoring 
and assessment workgroups, develop volunteer monitoring programs, and 
improve wetland inventories (e.g., use of hydrogeomorphic (HGM) wetland 
classification system). Examples of case studies illustrating wetland 
monitoring and assessment methods can be found on the Internet at: 
http://www.epa.gov/

[[Page 54812]]

owow/wetlands/bawwg/case.html and http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/wetland/index.html. Many of the case studies listed on those Web sites 
were funded by WPDGs.
    Monitoring data collected from wetland monitoring projects must be 
incorporated into 305(b) reports. Additionally, recipients must 
download data collected through monitoring projects into STORET (short 
for STOrage and RETrieval).STORET provides an accessible, nationwide 
central repository of water information of known quality. See 
www.epa.gov/storet for further information about uploading data into 
STORET.

B. Improving the Effectiveness of Compensatory Mitigation

    Priority will also be given to projects that improve S/T/LG 
capacity to ensure ecologically effective compensatory mitigation for 
unavoidable impacts. For example, WPDGs can be used to develop and 
verify assessment methods and/or tracking (reporting) systems that 
document:
    1. The technical adequacy of compensatory mitigation project plans 
(e.g., plan review standards);
    2. the ecological suitability of proposed compensatory mitigation 
project sites (e.g., develop site review standards in context with 
restoration opportunity mapped at the watershed scale);
    3. the compliance of mitigation projects at various stages of 
implementation; and
    4. the assessment of mitigation opportunities to address cumulative 
impacts to wetlands.
    WPDG can also be used to develop mitigation performance standards. 
Grant funds can only be used forresearch, investigations, experiments, 
training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies to support (or to 
improve or develop) mitigation programs; they cannot be used for 
specific mitigation activities (e.g., implementation of individual 
mitigation projects, mitigation banks, or in-lieu-fee mitigation 
programs). Background information describing concepts and methods for 
improving the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation can be found in 
a recent National Academy of Science publication, entitled 
``Compensating for Wetland Losses Under the Clean Water Act.'' The 
document can be found on the Internet at: http://www.nap.edu/books/0309074320/html/.

C. Refining the Protection of Vulnerable Wetlands and Aquatic Resources

    While all wetlands provide important ecological functions on a 
watershed scale, some are better protected than others. For example, 
isolated wetlands and waters may be particularly at risk as may 
wetlands subject to damage from activities other than the discharge of 
dredged or fill material. S/T/LG wishing to develop comprehensive 
wetland protection programs to protect such vulnerable waters from a 
variety of potential impacts are encouraged to do so. Efforts can 
include, but are not limited to, information dissemination, data 
exchange, studying S/T/LG regulatory improvement opportunities, and 
surveying opportunities for land acquisition, conservation easements, 
and tax incentive provisions. This grant program, however, cannot fund 
activities to implement a wetlands program, or fund the purchase of 
land or conservation easements (see Appendix A for Grant Restrictions).

D. Other Program Areas

    While WPDGs may be used by award recipients to develop and refine 
all elements of a comprehensive wetland program (see examples in 
Appendix B), in this and upcoming years, funding priority will be given 
to projects that address the three priority areas discussed above.

III. Funding Eligibility

    States, Tribes, local government agencies, interstate agencies, and 
intertribal consortia, and national, nonprofit, non-governmental 
organizations are eligible. Typical wetland or wetland related agencies 
include, but are not limited to wetland regulatory agencies, water 
quality agencies (Section 401 water quality certification), planning 
offices, wild and scenic rivers agencies, departments of 
transportation, fish and wildlife or natural resources agencies, 
agriculture departments, forestry agencies, coastal zone management 
agencies, park and recreation agencies, non-point source or storm water 
agencies, city or county and other S/T/LG governmental agencies that 
conduct wetland-related activities.
    In order to be eligible for WPDG funds, Tribes must be Federally 
recognized, although ``Treatment as a State'' status is not a 
requirement. Intertribal consortia that meet the requirements of 40 CFR 
part 35.504 are eligible for direct funding.
    Interstate agency and intertribal consortia projects must be broad 
in scope and encompass more than one State, Tribe, or local government.
    In order to provide greater assistance to S/T/LGs, non-profit, non-
governmental organizations which undertake activities that advance 
wetland programs on a national basis are eligible. Activities must help 
S/T/LGs develop and refine wetland programs. 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. Local/regional 
chapters/affiliations of a nonprofit organization are not eligible for 
WPDGs and applications will only be accepted from the national 
headquarters level of a nonprofit, non-governmental organization.
    Grant funds are awarded through a competitive process. The majority 
of WPDG funds are allocated to EPA Regional Offices, based on the 
number of States and Territories within the Region, to fund S/T/LG, 
interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia. Headquarters reserves a 
portion of the funds for national non-profit, non-governmental 
organizations, interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia. (see 
Section V for Application Procedures). Funding decisions are made by 
EPA Regional and Headquarters Offices and are based on the quality of 
the proposals received and adherence to the selection criteria (see 
Section IV). EPA typically receives requests for funding far in excess 
of available funds, therefore EPA cannot provide grant funds to all 
applicants.

IV. Selection Criteria

    For FY03, priority in the selection process will be given to 
projects which support the development of a S/T/LG's monitoring and 
assessment program, improvement of the effectiveness of compensatory 
mitigation, or protection of vulnerable wetlands and aquatic resources. 
In addition, all proposals, regardless of topic area, will be evaluated 
using the following general categories of criteria:
     Clarity of Work Plan--clearly written and detailed 
proposals;
     Potential Environmental Results--a high probability for 
positive environmental results in the short- and long-term;
     Transferability of Results and/or Methods to other S/T/LG;
     Success of Previous Projects--for applicants who have 
received prior EPA funding;
     Involvement/Commitment of the applicant--significant 
financial and personnel contribution and involvement of partners;
     Incorporation of project into broad agency goals (Core 
Elements of a

[[Page 54813]]

Comprehensive Wetland Program is available on EPA's web page at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/initiative/#financial or by mail upon request 
by calling the Wetlands Helpline at (800) 832-7828).

V. Application Procedures

    WPDG applications from States, Tribes, and local governments are 
handled through EPA Regional Offices, while applications from national 
non-profit, non-governmental organizations are handled through EPA 
Headquarters (Appendix C). Applications from interstate agencies and 
intertribal consortia can be submitted to either a Regional Office or 
Headquarters, however, the same proposals cannot be submitted to more 
than one office. Headquarters and Regional Office staff will review the 
applications received in their respective offices and select the most 
competitive projects for funding. Both the quality and quantity of the 
applications will play a significant role in the selection of grants 
for funding.

A. Application Package

    Interested applicants must submit an application, which includes a 
work plan and completed EPA grant forms. As provided in 40 CFR 35.107 
and 35.507, for States, Tribes, local governments, interstate agencies, 
and non-profit organizations, an approvable plan must specify (1) the 
work plan components to be funded under the grant; (2) the estimated 
work years and the estimated funding amounts for each work plan 
component; (3) the work plan commitments for each work plan component 
and a time frame for their accomplishment; (4) a performance and 
reporting schedule in accordance with 40 CFR 35.115 or 35.515; and (5) 
the roles and responsibilities of the recipient and EPA in carrying out 
the work plan commitments. For national nonprofit organizations, work 
plans must include: (1) A summary of key objectives and final products, 
preferably in 50 words or less; (2) a detailed description of project 
tasks and an explanation of how the project will contribute to 
developing or improving a S/T/LG's wetland program; (3) a time-line; 
(4) a budget and estimated funding amounts for each work plan 
component; (5) deliverables; (6) a performance evaluation process and 
reporting schedule; (7) roles and responsibilities of the recipient and 
EPA in carrying out the work plan commitments; and (8) contact 
information for the Program Manager, Grant Project Lead Manager, and 
Account Manager. Headquarters and some Regional Offices may ask S/T/LGs 
to submit pre-application proposals of grant projects for competitive 
review (see Section V Part B for deadlines). For specific regional 
guidance, contact your Regional or Headquarters EPA Grant Coordinator 
(Appendix C). Grant application forms are available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/hqgrant/ and by mail upon request by calling the Grants 
Administration Division at (202) 564-5305.

B. Deadlines

    Full application proposals must be submitted to the appropriate EPA 
office and postmarked by the appropriate Regional and Headquarters 
deadlines:

Region 1
    States: January 31, 2003
    Tribes: June 30, 2003
Region 2
    January 31, 2003
Region 3
    Pre-proposal: October 9, 2002
    Final proposal: January 15, 2003
Region 4
    December 2, 2002
Region 5
    December 20, 2002
Region 6
    November 1, 2002
Region 7
    December 2, 2002
Region 8
    December 3, 2002
Region 9
    Pre-proposal: October 11, 2002
    Final proposal: February 14, 2003
Region 10
    Pre-proposal: November 4, 2002
    Final proposal: February 21, 2003
Headquarters
    Pre-proposal: December 9, 2002
    Final proposal: March 22, 2003

    Please contact the appropriate Grants Coordinator (Appendix C) for 
further information and/or to confirm deadlines.
    Applicants may request limited assistance in revising work plans, 
proposed funding levels to better reflect the funding available, and 
preliminary proposals to develop a project that better reflects program 
priorities.

C. Match Requirements

    S/T/LG, interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia must provide 
a minimum of 25% of each award's total project costs in accordance with 
40 CFR 31.24, 35.385, and 35.615. We encourage States, Tribes and local 
governments to provide a larger share of the project's cost whenever 
possible (i.e., in excess of the required 25% of total project costs). 
Non-profit, non-governmental organizations must also provide a minimum 
of 25% of each award's total project costs.
    The match requirement can be met with contributions from entities 
other than the award recipient. 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. However, Indian tribes 
can use funds provided under the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) to provide the required matching 
funds to the extent authorized by that Act and implementing 
regulations.
    Matching funds are considered grant funds. They may be used for the 
reasonable and necessary expenses of carrying out the work plan. Any 
restrictions on the use of grant funds (i.e., prohibition of land 
acquisition with grant funds) also apply to the use of matching funds.

D. Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)

    QA/QC and peer review are sometimes applicable to these grants (see 
40 CFR 30.54 and 40 CFR 31.45). QA/QC requirements apply to the 
collection of environmental data. Environmental data are any 
measurements or information that describe environmental processes, 
location, or conditions; ecological or health effects and consequences; 
or the performance of environmental technology. Environmental data 
include information collected directly from measurements, produced from 
models, and compiled from other sources such as data bases or 
literature. Applicants should allow sufficient time and resources for 
this process. EPA can assist applicants determine whether QA/QC is 
required for the proposed project. If QA/QC is required for the 
project, the applicant is encouraged to work with the appropriate EPA 
quality staff to determine the appropriate QA/QC practices for the 
project. If the applicant has an EPA-approved quality assurance project 
plan and it covers the project in the application, then they need only 
reference the plan in their application. Contact the appropriate 
Regional or Headquaters Grant Coordinator (Appendix C) for referral to 
an EPA quality staff.

VI. Additional Program Information

A. Performance Partnership Grants

    A Performance Partnership Grant (PPG) is a multi-program grant made 
to a State, Tribe, interstate agency, or intertribal consortium from 
funds appropriated for many of EPA's environmental program grants. 
Local governments are not eligible for PPGs. PPGs are voluntary and 
provide

[[Page 54814]]

recipients the option to combine funds from two or more environmental 
program grants into one or more PPGs. PPGs can provide administrative 
and/or programmatic flexibility.
    Funds for a WPDG may be included in a PPG; however, the WPDG 
program remains a competitive grant program. Therefore, State proposals 
must first be selected under the competitive grant process and, in 
accordance with 40 CFR 35.138, the work plan commitments that would 
have been included in the WPDG work plan must be included in the PPG 
work plan. Similarly, Tribal proposals must first be selected under the 
competitive grant process, and in accordance with 40 CFR 35.535. If the 
applicant proposes a PPG work plan that differs significantly from the 
proposed WPDG work plan approved for funding, the Regional 
Administrator must first consult with the National Program Manager for 
WPDGs before agreeing to the PPG work plan.
    For further information, see the final rules on Environmental 
Program Grants for State, Interstate, and Local Government Agencies at 
40 CFR part 35, subpart A and Tribes at 40 CFR part 35, subpart. The 
rules are also available on EPA's Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/2001/Day-09/t218.htm (State) and at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-GENERAL/2001January/Day-16/g219.htm (Tribal).

B. Local and Tribal Funding Targets

    Each Regional Office will support the local government initiative 
and Tribal efforts by targeting at least 15% of their Regional 
allocation to local government and Tribal applications.

C. Reporting

    WPDGs are currently covered under the following EPA grant 
regulations: 40 CFR part 30 (non-profit organizations); 40 CFR part 31 
(States, Tribes, interstate agencies, intertribal consortia and local 
governments) and 40 CFR part 35, subpart A (States, interstate agencies 
and local governments) and subpart B (Tribes and intertribal 
consortia). These regulations specify basic grant reporting 
requirements, including performance and financial reports (see 40 CFR 
30.51, 30.52, 31.40, 31.41, 35.115, and 35.515). In negotiating these 
grants, EPA will work closely with recipients to incorporate 
appropriate performance reporting requirements into each grant 
agreement consistent with 40 CFR 30.51, 31.40, 35.115, and 35.515. 
These regulations provide some flexibility in determining the 
appropriate content and frequency of performance reports. At a minimum, 
however, the reporting schedule must require the recipient to report at 
least annually.

D. Public Participation

    EPA regulations require public participation in various Clean Water 
Act programs including grants (40 CFR Part 25). Each applicant for EPA 
financial assistance shall include tasks for public participation in 
their project's work plan submitted in the grant application (40 CFR 
25.11). The project work plan should reflect how public participation 
will be provided for, assisted, and accomplished.

E. Annual Wetlands Meeting/Training

    EPA encourages S/T/LGs to include travel plans for wetland 
personnel to attend at least one national wetland meeting in support of 
the project or for training each year (e.g., National EPA, State, 
Tribal, Local Wetland Meeting, wetland monitoring workshops). 
Applicants should account for travel plans and costs in the work plans 
and the project budget. EPA's Wetlands Division does not anticipate 
providing travel for State, Tribal or local government staff to attend 
meetings other than through this grant program.

Appendix A--Grant Restrictions

    Based on experience gained from previous years and policy and 
regulation, we offer the following comments/restrictions on funding 
eligibility.
     Universities that are agencies of State government are 
eligible to receive grant funds from the Regional Offices. 
Universities must provide documentation acceptable to the EPA 
Regional Office to demonstrate that they function as a State agency. 
Universities (that are not chartered as a part of State government) 
are not eligible for direct funding from the Regional Offices. Also, 
any award recipients may award such entities contracts in accordance 
with 40 CFR 31.36, and subgrants in accordance with 40 CFR 31.37. 
The State, Tribe, local agency, or national non-profit organization 
should not simply pass through funding to an organization that is 
not eligible to receive funding directly. Land grant schools do not 
automatically qualify for direct funding as an agency of state 
because of their status as a land grant school.
     This grant program cannot fund land acquisition or 
purchase of easements. However, this program may support research, 
investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and 
study efforts directed at identifying areas for acquisition, which 
would help address water pollution problems.
     This grant program cannot fund payment of taxes for 
landowners who have a wetland on their property.
     While contractual efforts can be a part of these 
grants, each recipient must be significantly involved in the 
administration of the grant. EPA recommends that recipients use no 
more than 50% of the grant funds to contract with non-governmental 
entities. However, if the applicant wants to exceed this limit, the 
applicant may submit a written justification for greater involvement 
by non-governmental contractors. EPA will evaluate the need for 
greater contractual participation and may approve the request if 
they agree that there is adequate justification to exceed the 50% 
limit. For the purposes of this requirement, EPA will not consider 
work performed under a contract with other S/T/LG agencies, 
interstate associations, and intertribal consortia. If the 
contractual work is being done by another S/T/LG agency, interstate 
agencies, or intertribal consortia, these should be clearly 
indicated in the grant application.
     Inventory or mapping for the sole purpose of locating 
wetlands is not eligible for funding under this grant program. A 
description of how mapping or inventory projects will directly 
develop or improve the eligible applicant's wetland protection 
programs must be included in the grant application for these types 
of projects to be considered for funding under this grant program.
     Each grant project must be completed with the initial 
award of funds. Recipients should not anticipate additional funding 
beyond the initial award of funds for a specific project. Eligible 
applicants should request the entire amount of money needed to 
complete the project in the original application. Each grant should 
produce a final, discrete product. Funding and project periods can 
be for more than one year.
     Grant funds cannot be used to fund an honorarium under 
this program.
     Any field work or research-type activities are limited 
to activities that have a direct, demonstrated link to program 
development or refinement included in the application.
     Purchase/lease of vehicles (including boats, motor 
homes) and office furniture is not eligible for funding under this 
program.
     Grant funds cannot be used to pay for travel by Federal 
agency staff unless travel costs are related to the grant project.

Appendix B--Example WPDG Project Topics

    EPA has developed a database of all projects supported through 
the Wetland Program Development Grants funding. This searchable 
database is available on EPA's web page at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/water/grant.nsf.
    Projects must be in support of conducting or 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. The following is a list of examples 
of projects that may be funded through Wetland Program Development 
Grants:
     Comprehensive planning of wetland resources;
     Research, investigations, experiments, training, 
demonstrations, surveys, and studies in support of integration of 
wetland management into broad watershed protection approaches;

[[Page 54815]]

     Development of S/T/LG Wetland Conservation Plans (WCP);
     Development of a framework for assuming the CWA Section 
404 program;
     Development of a framework for implementing a 
Programmatic General Permits program;
     Development of widely applicable model wetland training 
programs for S/T/LGs;
     Development of wetland water quality standards, or 
refining criteria to appropriately reflect water quality conditions 
in wetlands;
     Research, investigations, experiments, training, 
demonstrations, surveys, and studies in support of wetland and 
riparian restoration programs;
     Development, demonstration, and refinement of wetland 
bioassessment methods and programs to evaluate wetland health and 
performance of protection and restoration activities;
     Development of and/or participation in training that 
builds watershed and wetland partnership and technical skills (e.g., 
the Watershed Academy); and
     Development of outreach programs that improve public 
understanding of S/T/LG wetland protection and regulatory efforts 
and facilitate public-private partnerships and wetland restoration 
efforts.
    This is not an exhaustive list, and eligible applicants may 
submit any eligible proposal for wetland program development that 
addresses EPA's goals and criteria outlined in this document.

Appendix C--Regional Grant Coordinators

Region 1: Jeanne Cosgrove, [email protected]--617-918-1669
Region 2: Kathleen Drake, [email protected]--212/637-3817
Region 3: Alva Brunner, [email protected]--215/814-2715
Region 4: Sharon Ward, [email protected]--404/562-9269
Region 5: Cathy Garra, [email protected]--312/886-0241
Region 6: Sondra McDonald, [email protected]--214/665-7187
Region 7: Raju Kakarlapudi, [email protected]--913/551-7320
Region 8: Ed Stearns, [email protected]--303/312-6946
Region 9: Cheryl McGovern, [email protected]--415/744-2013
Region 10: David Kulman, [email protected]--206/553-6219
Headquarters:
    Connie Cahanap, [email protected]--202/566-1382
    Donna An, [email protected]--202/566-1384

[FR Doc. 02-21670 Filed 8-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P