[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6284-6289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2818]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-OW-7620-6]
Wetland Program Development Grant Guidelines
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Solicitation of applications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 submitted for this competition can continue to
be used by recipients to build and refine any element of a
comprehensive wetland program, emphasis for the competition will be
given to funding projects that address the three areas identified by
EPA: (1) Developing a comprehensive monitoring and assessment program;
(2) improving the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation; and (3)
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 for the competition. This document
describes the grant selection and award process for eligible applicants
interested in applying for WPDGs under the competitive process.
DATES: The deadline for receipt of proposals is set by EPA Headquarters
and each EPA Regional Office, independently. Please contact the
appropriate Headquarters or Regional Office Wetland Grant Coordinator
for that offices' deadline or to confirm a deadline. (See Section VII
for Agency Contact information.) Deadlines will also be posted on the
EPA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/grantguidelines/.
ADDRESSES: Application proposals must be submitted to the appropriate
EPA Headquarters or Regional Office and postmarked or emailed by the
appropriate Headquarters or Regional Office deadline. Application
proposals may be submitted electronically, by mail, or by hand
delivery/courier. Applicants interested in being put on a mailing list
to obtain more details should contact the appropriate Headquarters or
Regional Office Wetland Grant Coordinator (see Section VII for Agency
Contact information).
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,
e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Federal Agency Name: US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Wetlands Division.
Funding Opportunity Title: Wetland Program Development Grants.
Announcement Type: Notice.
Catalog of Domestic Assistance Number: 66.461.
Overview
The goals of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) wetland
program include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the
U.S. by conserving and restoring 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 and watershed
management, public-private partnerships, and coordination among
agencies with wetland or wetland-related programs.
The Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs), 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 applicants or
recipients) an opportunity to carry out projects to develop and refine
comprehensive wetland programs. 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, emphasis through
the competition process will be given to funding projects that address
these three areas as identified by EPA: (1) Developing a comprehensive
monitoring and assessment program; (2) improving the effectiveness of
compensatory mitigation; and (3) refining the protection of vulnerable
wetlands and aquatic resources. States, Tribes, local governments (S/T/
LGs), interstate associations, intertribal consortia are eligible to
apply. 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 to apply for WPDG
funding. Local/regional chapters/affiliations of a nonprofit
organization are not eligible for WPDGs.
Interest in the grant program has continued to grow over the years
and Congress has appropriated $15 million annually to support the
wetland grant program. Since the Wetland Grant Development Program
started in FY90, grant funds are awarded on a competitive basis to
support development of State and Tribal wetland programs.
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 competed grants may not be
used for the operational support of wetland programs unless it is
included in a Performance Partnership Grant (PPG). States and Tribes
may not use WPDG funds for implementation of a wetlands program.
However, funds available for WPDG grants may be
[[Page 6285]]
combined in a PPG which may, in certain circumstances, provide the
authorization to undertake implementation activities. 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 B. All projects funded
through this program must contribute to the overall development and
improvement of S/T/LG wetland programs. Grant applicants must
demonstrate that their proposed project integrates with S/T/LG wetland
programs.
This document describes the grant selection and award process for
eligible applicants interested in applying for WPDGs under the
competitive process. EPA Regions and Headquarters may supplement this
notice with additional information pertaining specifically to each
Regional/Headquarters competition. These guidelines stay in effect
until new ones are published for the competitive process.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The types 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, developing and
disseminating local wetland ordinances that complement Federal and
State management, and training wetland managers and the public about
wetland and watershed values.
For the WPDG competitive process, the wetland program has
identified three areas for improving S/T/LGs 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. Regions are encouraged to target at
least two-thirds of their competitive WPDG funds to projects that focus
on one or more of the program priorities. In this competitive grant
program, EPA will emphasize funding diverse levels of government and
various entities involved in innovative wetland and watershed issues.
Applicants are encouraged to develop WPDG applications that address
these program areas.
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 at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/facts/monitor.pdf and http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/facts/devgrants.pdf.
Project proposals may address development, testing, and
demonstration of methods and programs to monitor and assess wetlands.
For example, proposed work may include the use of biological and
hydrogeomorphic (HGM) assessment procedures and surveys to test the
accuracy of (a) rapid wetland assessment methods or (b) other types of
assessment methods that use geographical information systems (GIS) to
describe wetland condition or trends in wetland extent. Also, EPA
encourages the submission of proposals for work that will demonstrate
the use of wetland assessment methods for:
1. Assessing the ecological consequences of a given regulatory
action or group of actions;
2. Improving the evaluation and ranking of potential wetland sites
for restoration or acquisition at various levels;
3. Evaluating the ecological effectiveness of wetland restoration
projects, including compensatory mitigation;
4. Developing design or performance standards for wetland
restoration, including compensatory mitigation;
5. Evaluating the cumulative effect of wetland loss and restoration
in terms of change in the ambient condition of wetlands and other
waterbodies within a watershed;
6. Gathering information to refine water quality standards or
related administrative code to bring added protection to wetlands,
including isolated wetlands; and/or
7. Gathering information to develop management strategies to
control the spread and adverse effects of non-indigenous, invasive
wetland species.
Proposals should address how work to accomplish the particular
objective(s) will assist S/T/LGs in developing comprehensive wetland
monitoring and assessment programs. Proposals also should describe how
methods under development will improve decision-making across various
surface water management programs. For example, EPA encourages the
submissions of proposals for work that will demonstrate how information
about ambient wetland condition can be used by local authorities when
making decisions affecting land and water use, including their adoption
of stormwater and smart growth management strategies. Provisional
reporting of ambient wetland condition, relative to reference
conditions, 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 a known and documented quality.
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 at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/bawwg/case.html and http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/wetland/index.html. Many of the case studies listed on those Web sites
were funded by WPDGs.
Additionally, recipients of grants for wetland monitoring projects
will be required to submit all data from monitoring activities to
STORET (short for STOrage and RETrieval). STORET provides an
accessible, nationwide central repository of water information of known
quality. Grantee submission of monitoring data into STORET or
monitoring data made available in the Advisory Council for Water
Information (ACWI) Core Monitoring Data Element Standard (or Data
Exchange Template) will facilitate exchange of monitoring data between
EPA and its partners. Information on STORET is at http://www.epa.gov/storet and information on the standard is at http://www.epa.gov/edr.
B. Improving the Effectiveness of Compensatory Mitigation
S/T/LGs should consider projects that improve the capacity to
ensure ecologically effective compensatory mitigation for unavoidable
impacts. For example, WPDGs can be used to develop mitigation
performance standards. They also can be used to
[[Page 6286]]
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 that have a
watershed context);
3. The compliance of mitigation projects at various stages of
implementation; and
4. The adequacy of compensatory mitigation for managing cumulative
wetland impacts under the Federal CWA section 404/401 program.
The National Wetlands Mitigation Action Plan, released in December
2002 by EPA and the U.S. Army Corps, describes seventeen action items
that the Federal agencies will complete by 2005 in order to improve the
ecological performance and results of compensatory mitigation. The
tasks identified in the Plan convey the major areas of interest
regarding mitigation that are being supported by the Federal agencies.
Proposed projects that support such endeavors at the S/T/LG level are
encouraged. A copy of the Plan and related documents can be found at
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/index.html#mitigation.
Background information describing concepts and methods for
improving the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation can be found in
a National Academy of Science publication entitled ``Compensating for
Wetland Losses Under the Clean Water Act.'' The document can be found
at http://www.nap.edu/books/0309074320/html/.
Wetland program grant funds can only be used for research,
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).
C. Refining the Protection of Vulernable Wetlands and Aquatic Resources
While 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/LGs wishing to develop comprehensive
wetland protection programs to protect such vulnerable waters from a
variety of potential impacts are encouraged to do so and encouraged to
incorporate wetland issues into ongoing watershed plans. 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. Funds received through the WPDG
competition cannot be used to fund activities to implement a wetlands
program, or fund the purchase of land or conservation easements.
D. Other Program Areas
WPDGs that are awarded may be used by recipients to also develop
and refine all elements of a comprehensive wetland program. The Regions
may also supplement the above program areas with Regional efforts that
they want to emphasize, while still targeting two-thirds of the WPDG
funds toward the three program priority areas described previously in
this notice.
II. Award Information
EPA's Wetlands Division intends to continue to award $15 million of
WPDG funds through a competitive process to eligible applicants through
assistance agreements. Most of the WPDG funds for the competition are
allocated to EPA Regional Offices, based on the number of States and
Territories within the Region, to fund S/T/LGs, interstate agencies,
and intertribal consortia. Headquarters reserves a portion of the WPDG
funds for national non-profit, non-governmental organizations,
interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia under the competitive
process. Funding decisions for the competition are made by EPA Regional
and Headquarters Offices and are based on the quality of the proposals
received and adherence to the selection criteria. EPA typically
receives requests for funding far in excess of available funds.
Therefore EPA cannot provide grant funds to all applicants.
The number of applicants that will be requested to submit a
complete application and the number of applications recommended for
award depend on the quality of the proposals received and the relative
amount of funding requests. The quality of the proposals will be
evaluated according to the criteria and selection process noted below.
Total funding available for award by EPA depends each year on the
Wetlands Program's yearly fiscal appropriation. (Previous grant awards
ranged from $11,000 to $496,000.) The terms of the period of
performance will be determined at time of award. EPA reserves the right
to reject all proposals and make no awards.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants for Competitive Process
States, Tribes, local government agencies, interstate agencies,
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 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 for WPDG funding.
Activities must help S/T/LGs develop and refine wetland programs. For
example, projects can involve advancing wetland science, providing
training on how various S/T/LG 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 nonprofit organizations are not eligible for
WPDGs and applications will only be accepted from the national
headquarters level of nonprofit, non-governmental organizations.
National nonprofit organizations are only eligible to submit their
proposals to the Headquarters Wetland Grant Coordinator for this
competition. (See Section VII for Agency Contact information.)
B. Cost Sharing/Match Requirements
S/T/LGs, interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia must
provide a minimum of 25% of each award's total project costs in
accordance with 40 CFR
[[Page 6287]]
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.
Forty CFR 35.536(c) (the Environmental Program Grants for Tribes
Regulation), states that ``the required cost share shall be five
percent of the allowable cost of the work plan budget for that
program'' if the Tribal applicant puts the funds into a PPG. Tribal
applicants can submit budgets with a 5% match if the Tribe is going to
put the funds into a PPG. The following term and condition will be
included in the assistance agreement awarded to the Tribe: If the
Wetland Program Grant Funds are not or could not be included in a PPG,
then the Tribe must provide a 25% match.
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.
C. 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.
D. 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 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. Under this competition,
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 this competitive grant process, and in accordance
with 40 CFR 35.535. States and Tribes may not use WPDG funds for
implementation of a wetlands program. However, funds available for WPDG
grants may be combined in a PPG which may, in certain circumstances,
provide the authorization to undertake implementation activities. 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 B. 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).
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Request for Application Packages
Grant application forms are available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/index.htm/ and by mail upon request by calling the Grants
Administration Division at (202) 564-5305. If you have questions,
contact your Headquarters or Regional Office Wetland Grant Coordinator
(see Section VII for Agency Contact information) or visit our website
at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/grantguidelines/.
B. Content and Form of Application Submission
Headquarters and Regional Offices may ask applicants to submit pre-
application proposals. For specific Regional/Headquarters information,
contact your Headquarters or Regional Office Wetland Grant Coordinator
(see Section VII for Agency Contact information). As provided in 40 CFR
35.107 and 35.507, for States, Tribes, local governments, interstate
agencies, and national non-profit organizations, work plans must
include: (1) A summary of key objectives, work plan commitments and
final products; (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 and reporting
schedule; (4) a budget and estimated funding amounts for each work plan
component; (5) outcomes and expected environmental results; (6)
performance measures and evaluation process; (7) roles and
responsibilities of the recipient in carrying out the work plan
commitments; and (8) contact information for the Program Manager, Grant
Project Lead Manager, and Account Manager. Grant applicants will be
required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative
agreements. Organizations can receive a DUNS number in one day, at no
cost, by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-
866-705-5711 or by visiting www.dnb.com.
C. Submission Dates and Times
Submission deadlines are set by EPA Headquarters and Regional
Offices. Please contact the appropriate Headquarters or Regional Office
Wetland Grant Coordinator for information and/or to confirm competition
deadlines (see Section VII for Agency Contact information). Deadlines
will also be posted at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/grantguidelines/. Application proposals must be submitted to the
appropriate EPA office and postmarked or emailed by the appropriate
Regional or Headquarters deadline. Applicants interested in being put
on a mailing list to obtain more details should contact the appropriate
Headquarters or Regional Wetland Grant Coordinator (see Section VII for
Agency Contact information).
D. Intergovernmental Review
Applicants requested to submit a full application may be required
to comply with Intergovernmental Review Requirements (40 CFR part 29).
E. Funding Restrictions
Based on policy, regulation, and on experience gained from previous
years 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 through this competition. 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 EPA
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
[[Page 6288]]
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 a State because of their status as a
land grant school.
Under the WPDG competitive process, funds cannot
be used for land acquisition or purchase of easements. However, it may
support the coordination or acceleration of research, investigations,
experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and study efforts
directed at identifying areas for acquisition, which would help address
water pollution problems including wetlands protection and restoration.
This competitive 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 WPDG 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 as part of the grant application package. EPA
will evaluate the need for greater contractual participation and may
approve the request if there is adequate justification to exceed the
50% limit. If the contractual work is being done by another S/T/LG
agency, interstate agency, or intertribal consortia, these entities
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 competition. 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.
Under the competition, each grant 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 grant
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 competition.
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.
V. Application Review Information
A. Selection Criteria
For the traditional competitive WPDG funding, proposals will be
evaluated using the following general categories of criteria:
Program Area Emphasis--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.
Clarity of Work Plan--clearly written and
detailed proposals.
Potential Environmental Results--likelihood of
positive environmental results in the short- and long-term.
Transferability of Results and/or Methods to
other S/T/LGs.
Involvement/Commitment of the applicant--
significant financial and personnel contribution and involvement of
partners.
Incorporation of project into broad agency
wetland goals (e.g., Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) Goals,
EPA Strategic Plan, or Core Elements of a Comprehensive Wetland
Program.) Please contact the Wetlands Helpline at (800) 832-7828) for
more information.
Data Management--capability to report monitoring
data to STORET.
Success of Previous Projects--for applicants who
have received prior EPA funding.
Proposals are evaluated by the quality of the submission related to
the above criteria. The last criterion is applied only to prior grant
recipients. The last criterion does not add value in the rating process
for prior wetland grant recipients to give an automatic advantage over
new applicants. The last criterion, does, in cases of inadequate and
inappropriate prior grant performance, lower an applicant's ranking; it
allows consideration of poor past performance in the evaluation of
current grant proposals.
B. Review and Selection Process
For the competitive process, 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. Applications from interstate
agencies and intertribal consortia can be submitted to either a
Regional Office or Headquarters, however, the same proposals from
interstate and intertribal agencies 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 on the basis of the selection
criteria. Both the quality and quantity of the applications will play a
significant role in the selection of grants for funding.
VI. Award Administration Information for Competitive Process
A. Award Notices
All applicants will be notified by the appropriate EPA Office
(Region/Headquarters) on whether or not the applicant has been selected
for funding. The notification is not an authorization to begin
performance. A notice signed by the Grants Administration Division is
the authorizing document to the applicant to begin performance.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The general award and administration process for all WPDGs is
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'').
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
[[Page 6289]]
incorporate appropriate performance measures and 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.
VII. Agency Contacts
Headquarters and Regional Wetland Grant Coordinators
Headquarters
Connie Cahanap, U.S. EPA Wetlands Division, 1200 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., MC 4502T, Washington, DC 20460. Phone: 202-566-1382.
[email protected].
Region 1--CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
Jeanne Cosgrove. U.S. EPA Region 1, 1 Congress Street, MC CSP,
Suite 100, Boston, MA 02114. Phone: 617-918-1669.
[email protected].
Region 2--NJ, NY, PR, VI
Kathleen Drake, U.S. EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, NY, NY 10007.
Phone: 212-637-3817. [email protected].
Region 3--DE, MD, PA, VA, WV, DC
Alva Brunner, U.S. EPA Region 3, 1650 Arch Street, MC 3EA30,
Philadelphia, PA 19103. Phone: 215-814-2715. [email protected].
Region 4--AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
Sharon Ward, U.S. EPA Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, GA
30303. Phone: 404-562-9269. [email protected].
Region 5--IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
Cathy Garra, U.S. EPA Region 5, 77 West Jackson Blvd., MC WW16J,
Chicago, IL 60604. Phone: 312-886-0241. [email protected].
Region 6--AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
Tyrone Hoskins, U.S. EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, MC 6WQ-AT,
Dallas, TX 75202. Phone: 214-665-7375. [email protected].
Region 7--IA, KS, MO, NE
Jason Daniels, U.S. EPA Region 7, 901 North Fifth Street, Kansas
City, KS 66101. Phone: 913-551-7443. [email protected].
Region 8--CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
Brent Truskowski, U.S. EPA Region 8, 999 18th Street, Suite 300,
Denver, CO 80202. Phone: 303-312-6235. [email protected].
Region 9--AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU
Cheryl McGovern, U.S. EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San
Francisco, CA 94105. Phone: 415-972-3415. [email protected].
Region 10--AK, ID, OR, WA
David Kulman, U.S. EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA
98101. Phone: 206-553-6219. [email protected].
VIII. Other Information
A. 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 databases 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
Headquarters or Regional Office Wetland Grant Coordinator (See Section
VII for Agency Contact information) for referral to an EPA quality
staff.
B. 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.
C. 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 or wetland monitoring workshops.)
Applicants should account for travel plans and costs in the work plans
and the project budget. EPA's Wetlands Program does not anticipate
providing travel for State, Tribal or local government staff to attend
meetings other than through this grant program.
Dated: January 22, 2004.
Diane Regas,
Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds.
[FR Doc. 04-2818 Filed 2-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P