2009 Request for Initial Proposals for TMDL Grants
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-R10-09-OWW-WU
Deadline for Initial Proposal: The deadline for receipt of initial proposals is December 8, 2008 at 4:30 pm.
Description of Grant Program and Funding
EPA Region 10, Office of Water and Watersheds, Watersheds Unit, is soliciting proposals from eligible agencies/organizations for the coordination and acceleration of research, studies, experiments, investigations and demonstration projects to improve the capacity of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington States and Tribes to effectively and efficiently develop TMDLs (surface water quality clean-up plans) for impaired waters located in these States. EPA will not provide funding to State or Tribal environmental agencies for “routine” TMDL work that the Agency supports with grants under Section 106 and 319 of the Clean Water Act; production of TMDLs must be an incidental by-product of the activities EPA funds under this competitive announcement. EPA encourages eligible agencies/organizations to submit proposals on the application of biological monitoring protocols and biocriteria (including narrative biocriteria) in listing, TMDL development and implementation that lead to improved TMDLS.
Eligible Applicants
States, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia), public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions and individuals
Note: Nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.
Cost sharing or Matching
No match or cost-sharing requirement
Eligible Activities
To be considered for funding, a project must consist of activities within the statutory terms of ยง104(b)(3) of the CWA. These activities relate generally to gathering or transferring information, or advancing the state of knowledge, and accelerating program development for improving water quality in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and tribal lands within EPA Region 10.
Grant proposals must emphasize the “learning” concept as opposed to “fixing” an environmental problem via a well-established method.
Examples of eligible research, investigations, studies, training, and demonstration activities may include (but are not limited to): developing “best practices” for generating data, models, techniques and methods, and training personnel that lead to improved State and Tribal TMDL programs, and disseminating the results of the project so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained.
EPA will not provide funding for “routine” TMDL work that the Agency supports with grants under Section 106 and 319 of the Clean Water Act; production of TMDLs must be an incidental by-product of the activities EPA funds under this competitive announcement.
Demonstration projects must involve new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches where the results of the projects will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained in the demonstration projects.
Expected Outcomes and Outputs
Expected outputs and outcomes from projects funded under this solicitation may include but are not limited to the following:
Outputs:
- New and improved methods for developing TMDLs that will direct best management practices and TMDL implementation.
- Staff trained improved and accelerated TMDL development/implementation methods.
- New tools or innovative techniques for TMDL development that accelerate the production of TMDLs.
- New or innovative approaches to fostering interstate or tribal/state coordination of TMDL development when more than one state/tribe has an interest in a waterbody.
- Application of biological monitoring protocols and biocriteria (including narrative biocriteria) in listing, TMDL development and implementation that lead to improved TMDLS.
Outcomes:
- A more advanced state of knowledge among state or tribal personnel involved in developing and implementing TMDLs.
- Improved capacity of state and/or tribal TMDL programs.
- Better coordination among state/tribal TMDL programs in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.
- Widespread adoption of a demonstrated new or improved methodology or technology in TMDL programs.
Estimated Amount of Funding/Expected Number of Grants and Amounts for Each Grant
The total estimated funding available for awards under this announcement is approximately $400,000. The number of expected awards is approximately 8, with an expected range of award of $25,000 - $80,000; however, proposals requesting funding below or above the expected range of award will be considered.
Anticipated Schedule
| December 8, 2008 | Proposals must be received in hard copy by EPA Region 10 by 4:30 PM Pacific Standard Time or stamped electronically through Grants.gov by 4:30 PM Pacific Standard Time. |
| December 22, 2008 | Applicants failing to meet threshold criteria will be notified via email. |
| December 22, 2008 | Finalists notified and requested to submit a formal application package |
| January 30, 2009 | Finalists provide full applications, work plans and program capability/environmental results past performance received via hardcopy |
| April 30, 2009 | Awards made. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email. |
Past Funded Projects
Contact
Jayne Carlin
Office of Water and Watersheds (OWW-134)
U.S. EPA Region 10
1200 Sixth Ave, Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98101-3140
Tel: 206-553-8512, Fax: 206-553-0165
E-mail: carlin.jayne@epa.gov