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Regional Wetland Program Development Grants

Number: 66.461
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Office: Office of Water

Program Information 

Program Number/Title (010):
66.461 Regional Wetland Program Development Grants
Federal Agency (030):
Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency
Authorization (040):
Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3), Public Law 92-500, 33 U.S.C 1254(b)(3).
Objectives (050):
To assist state, tribal, local government (S/T/LG) agencies, and interstate/intertribal entities in building programs which protect, manage, and restore wetlands. The primary focus of the grants is to build state and tribal wetland programs. A secondary focus is to build local (e.g. county or municipal) programs. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2013: Under the Regional Wetland Program Development Grant (WPDG) competition, EPA has identified the following four Core Elements for improving state/tribe/local governments' (S/T/LGs) ability to protect and restore their wetlands: (1) Monitoring and Assessment; (2) Voluntary Restoration and Protection; (3) Regulatory Approaches Including CWA 401 Certification; and (4) Wetland-Specific Water Quality Standards. EPA will include as an appendix to each Regional Request For Proposals (RFP) a list of actions and activities under each Core Element that will develop or refine a S/T/LG's wetlands program. In addition, EPA has identified two funding Tracks. Track One is for states and tribes that propose to develop a Wetlands Program Plan (WPP) as described at http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/wpp.cfm or carrying out projects from an EPA-approved WPP. Track Two is for states, tribes, local governments, interstate agencies, intertribal consortia, and universities that are agencies of a state that submit proposals that are consistent with the Four Core Elements as described above. Regions may add additional Region specific priorities that are compatible and consistent with the core element(s) and action(s) in the attached Appendix of development and refinement actions.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2016: Under the Regional Wetland Program Development Grant (WPDG) competition, EPA has identified the following four Core Elements for improving state/tribe/local governments' (S/T/LGs) ability to protect and restore their wetlands: (1) Monitoring and Assessment; (2) Voluntary Restoration and Protection; (3) Regulatory Approaches Including CWA 401 Certification; and (4) Wetland-Specific Water Quality Standards. EPA will include a website in each Regional Request For Proposals (RFP) where potential applicants can find a list of actions and activities under each Core Element that will develop or refine a S/T/LG's wetlands program. In addition, EPA has identified two funding Tracks. Track One is for states and tribes that propose to develop a Wetlands Program Plan (WPP) as described at https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/developing-wetland-program-plan or carrying out projects from an EPA-approved WPP. WPPs can be found on-line at https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/state-and-tribal-wetland-program-plans#r1 . Track Two is for states, tribes, local governments, interstate agencies, intertribal consortia, and universities that are agencies of a state that submit proposals that are consistent with the Four Core Elements as described above. Regions may add additional Region specific priorities that are compatible and consistent with the core element(s) and action(s) in the Appendix of development and refinement actions found at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/documents/wpdg_cef_appendix.pdf.
Types of Assistance (060):
Cooperative Agreements
Uses and Use Restrictions (070):
These grants are intended to encourage comprehensive wetlands program development by 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. Projects build the capacity of States, Tribes, and local governments to effectively protect wetland and riparian resources. Projects funded under this program support the development of a wetlands protection, restoration, or management program or support enhancement/refinement of an existing program. Interstate agency and intertribal consortia projects must be broad in scope and encompass more than one State, Tribe, or local government. The Regional Office will accept submissions only for projects that affect the States, Tribes, and Territories within their Region. Funds cannot be used for implementation of individual mitigation projects, mitigation banks, or in-lieu-fee mitigation programs. Additional uses and restrictions on funds will be described in detail in the competitive announcements. Projects that are national in scope are not eligible for funding under this Regional program but may be eligible for funding under EPA's National Wetland Program Development Grants program (CFDA 66.462). Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: https://www.epa.gov/geospatial.


Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. Generally this program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office.
Eligibility Requirements (080)
Applicant Eligibility (081):
States, Tribes, local government agencies, interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia are eligible to apply to the Regions. Past recipients 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, and 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. The term "interstate agency" is defined in CWA Section 502 as "an agency of two or more States established by or pursuant to an agreement or compact approved by the Congress, or any other agency of two or more States, having substantial powers or duties pertaining to the control of pollution as determined and approved by the Administrator." Intertribal consortia that meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 35.504 are eligible for direct funding. Intertribal consortia projects must be broad in scope and encompass more than one State, Tribe, or local government. Universities that are agencies of a State government are eligible to receive funds through these competitions. Universities must include documentation showing that they are chartered as a part of a State government in their proposal. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Applicants need not be located within the boundaries of the EPA regional office to be eligible to apply for funding but must propose projects that affect the States, Tribes, and Territories within the Region.
Beneficiary Eligibility (082):
State, Tribal, and local governments involved in administering wetlands protection, restoration and/or management programs, or programs related to or that complement wetlands protection programs.
Credentials/Documentation (083):
Tribes may be asked to demonstrate that they are Federally recognized. Interstate organizations may be asked to provide a citation to the statutory authority which establishes their status. Intertribal consortia may be asked to provide documentation that they meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 35.504. Universities must include documentation showing that they are chartered as a part of a State government in their proposal. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Application and Award Process (090)
Preapplication Coordination (091):
Each EPA Regional Office will set up its own competitive process for awarding WPDGs. Interested applicants should review information on the WPDG at: https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/wetland-program-development-grants. Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. 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. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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.
Application Procedures (092):
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Each EPA Regional Office will establish a process for awarding WPDGs. Regional Offices will accept applications only for projects selected through the competitive process that affect the States, Tribes, and Territories within their Region. The standard application forms, as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500, must be used for this program. Applicants can also receive a copy of the current announcement by calling the EPA Regional Coordinator. Completed applications should be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Office. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through http://www.grants.gov.








Award Procedure (093):
Grant applications are reviewed by the appropriate EPA Regional Office and, if approved, the grant is awarded by the Regional Administrator. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.
Deadlines (094):
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time (095):
Grants are usually approved within 4 months of receipt of completed application.
Appeals (096):
Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.
Renewals (097):
Not Applicable.
Assistance Consideration (100)
Formula and Matching Requirements (101):
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. The applicant must provide a minimum of 25 percent of the total cost of the work plan to the extent allowed by 2 CFR 200 and 1500 as applicable, 40 CFR 35.385, and 35.615. To determine if the minimum match is met, EPA will use the following formula: amount ( in dollars) of federal funds requested from EPA divided by 3 = minimum match (in dollars) or Total project costs divided by 4 = minimum match (in dollars). For example, if the applicant requests $75,000 of federal funds or a Total project cost of $100,000 for the three-year project period, it must be able to provide $25,000 in matching funds or services. A reduced match may be available for Tribal grantees that place the Wetland Program Development Grant funds in a Performance Partnership Grant. (See regulations at 40 CFR 536(c).) Please contact your EPA Regional contact person listed in Section VII if you have any questions about calculating the match requirement. We encourage States and Tribes to provide a larger share of the project's cost whenever possible (i.e., in excess of the required 25 percent of total project costs). Award recipients can meet the match requirement with in-kind or monetary contributions from entities other than themselves. However, 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. Matching funds are considered grant funds. They must be used for the reasonable and necessary expenses of carrying out the assistance agreement work plan. Any restrictions on the use of grant funds (i.e., prohibition of land acquisition with grant funds) also apply to the matching funds.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance (102):
The terms of the grant shall be determined at time of grant award. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: The method of fund disbursement will be determined at the time of award.
Post Assistance Requirements (110)
Reports (111):
EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Agreements may require quarterly, interim, and final progress reports, and expenditure/financial, equipment, and invention reports. Specific reporting requirements are also identified in the grant regulations at 2 CFR 200 and 1500, as applicable. Program reports are required under this program. Cash reports are required under this program. Progress reports are required under this program. Expenditure reports are required under this program. Performance monitoring is required under this program.
Audits (112):
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. 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 (113):
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 must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Financial Information (120)
Obligations (122):
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 15 $16,113,200; FY 16 est $13,778,000; and FY 17 est $17,061,000 - FY 15 $16,113,200; FY 16 est. $13,778,000; and FY 17 est. $17,061,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance (123):
Range: $20,000 to $600,000/fiscal year; Average: $220,000/fiscal year.
Program Accomplishments (130):
Fiscal Year 2015: Eight of the ten EPA Regional Offices issued a competitive announcement based on available funds and Agency priorities. The number of applications and the number of awards made is dependent on the competitive announcement issued. The announcements include the number of anticipated awards. In FY 15, eight Regional competitive announcements were issued. In FY 15, projects were funded to support activities such as: developing state or tribal Wetland Program Plans (WPPs); assessing a marsh's sustainability; developing a functional assessment of a state's wetlands of past and present; developing scenario models to analyze impacts of groundwater withdrawal on calcareous fens; advancing a state's wetland monitoring and assessment; developing a framework for evaluating the environmental results of one state's wetland mitigation banks; determining the local importance of vernal pools; and sentinel monitoring and mapping of coastal wetland condition and response to climate change. Fiscal Year 2016: Five of the ten EPA Regional Offices will issue a competitive announcement based on available funds and Agency priorities. The number of applications and the number of awards made is dependent on the competitive announcement issued. The announcements include the number of anticipated awards. In FY 16, five Regional competitive announcements were issued. In FY 16, approximately 4 to 30 proposals were received by each Region under the five Regional competitive announcements. In FY 16, projects have not yet been awarded but all will support activities to build state/tribal/local wetland program building and improvement. Fiscal Year 2017: No Current Data Available
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature (140):
General grant regulations and procedures (2 CFR 200 and 1500, as applicable, 2 CFR 200 Subpart E, and 40 CFR 35.610 through 35.615).






Information Contacts (150)
Regional or Local Office (151) :
See Regional Agency Offices. REGIONAL WETLAND GRANT COORDINATORS: Region 1 - CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT: Kristen Conroy, US EPA Region 1, 1 Congress Street, MC CSP, Suite 100, Boston, MA, 02114. Phone: 617-918-1069. conroy.kristen@epa.gov. Region 2 - NJ, NY, PR, VI: Kathleen Drake, US EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, NY, NY, 10007. Phone: 212-637-3817. drake.kathleen@epa.gov. Region 3 - DE, MD, PA, VA, WV, DC: Anita Provenzano, US EPA Region 3, 1650 Arch Street, MC 3EA30, Philadelphia, PA, 19103. Phone: 215-814-5180. provenzano.anita@epa.gov. Region 4 - AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN: Geryl Ricks, US EPA Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Atlanta, GA, 30303. Phone: 404-562-9393. ricks.geryl@epa.gov. Region 5 - IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI: Dertera Collins, US EPA Region 5, 77 West Jackson Blvd., MC WW16J, Chicago, IL, 60604. Phone: 312-353-6291. collins.dertera@epa.gov. Region 6 - AR, LA, NM, OK, TX: Sondra McDonald, US EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, MC 6WQ-AT, Dallas, TX, 75202. Phone: 214-665-7187. mcdonald.sondra@epa.gov. Region 7 - IA, KS, MO, NE: Jennifer Ousley, US EPA Region 7, 901 North Fifth Street, Kansas City, KS, 66101. Phone: 913-551-9311. ousley.jennifer@epa.gov. Region 8 - CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY: Cynthia Gonzales, US EPA Region 8, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80202. Phone: 303-312-6569. gonzales.cynthia@epa.gov. Region 9 - AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU: Leana Rosetti, US EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Phone: (415) 972-3070. rosetti.leana@epa.gov. Region 10 - AK, ID, OR, WA: Michael Szerlog, US EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Ave, MC: AWT-107, Seattle, WA, 98101. Phone: 206-553-0279. szerlog.michael@epa.gov.
Headquarters Office (152):
Myra Price, Wetlands Division (4502T), Office of Oceans, Wetlands, and Watersheds, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: price.myra@epa.gov Phone: (202) 566-1225.
Website Address (153):
https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/wetland-program-development-grants
Related Programs (160):
66.419 Water Pollution Control State, Interstate, and Tribal Program Support; 66.454 Water Quality Management Planning; 66.456 National Estuary Program; 66.458 Capitalization Grants for Clean Water State Revolving Funds; 66.462 National Wetland Program Development Grants and Five-Star Restoration Training Grant
Examples of Funded Projects (170):
Fiscal Year 2015: The WPDG database provides project information for grants funded through this program since 2005 (http://iaspub.epa.gov/pls/grts/f?p=101:1). Examples of funded projects include: developing state or tribal Wetland Program Plans (WPPs); assessing a marsh's sustainability; developing a functional assessment of a state's wetlands of past and present; developing scenario models to analyze impacts of groundwater withdrawal on calcareous fens; advancing a state's wetland monitoring and assessment; developing a framework for evaluating the environmental results of one state's wetland mitigation banks; determining the local importance of vernal pools; and sentinel monitoring and mapping of coastal wetland condition and response to climate change. Fiscal Year 2016: The WPDG database provides project information for grants funded through this program since 2005 (http://iaspub.epa.gov/pls/grts/f?p=101:1). It is anticipated that projects funded in FY16 may include: developing state or tribal Wetland Program Plans (WPPs); assessing a marsh's sustainability; developing a functional assessment of a state's wetlands of past and present; developing scenario models to analyze impacts of groundwater withdrawal on calcareous fens; advancing a state's wetland monitoring and assessment; developing a framework for evaluating the environmental results of one state's wetland mitigation banks; determining the local importance of vernal pools; and sentinel monitoring and mapping of coastal wetland condition and response to climate change. Fiscal Year 2017: No Current Data Available
Criteria for Selecting Proposals (180):
The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.

Contact Information

Website:
https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/wetland-program-development-grants
Regional or Local Office:
See Regional Agency Offices. REGIONAL WETLAND GRANT COORDINATORS: Region 1 - CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT: Kristen Conroy, US EPA Region 1, 1 Congress Street, MC CSP, Suite 100, Boston, MA, 02114. Phone: 617-918-1069. conroy.kristen@epa.gov. Region 2 - NJ, NY, PR, VI: Kathleen Drake, US EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, NY, NY, 10007. Phone: 212-637-3817. drake.kathleen@epa.gov. Region 3 - DE, MD, PA, VA, WV, DC: Anita Provenzano, US EPA Region 3, 1650 Arch Street, MC 3EA30, Philadelphia, PA, 19103. Phone: 215-814-5180. provenzano.anita@epa.gov. Region 4 - AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN: Geryl Ricks, US EPA Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Atlanta, GA, 30303. Phone: 404-562-9393. ricks.geryl@epa.gov. Region 5 - IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI: Dertera Collins, US EPA Region 5, 77 West Jackson Blvd., MC WW16J, Chicago, IL, 60604. Phone: 312-353-6291. collins.dertera@epa.gov. Region 6 - AR, LA, NM, OK, TX: Sondra McDonald, US EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, MC 6WQ-AT, Dallas, TX, 75202. Phone: 214-665-7187. mcdonald.sondra@epa.gov. Region 7 - IA, KS, MO, NE: Jennifer Ousley, US EPA Region 7, 901 North Fifth Street, Kansas City, KS, 66101. Phone: 913-551-9311. ousley.jennifer@epa.gov. Region 8 - CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY: Cynthia Gonzales, US EPA Region 8, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80202. Phone: 303-312-6569. gonzales.cynthia@epa.gov. Region 9 - AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU: Leana Rosetti, US EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Phone: (415) 972-3070. rosetti.leana@epa.gov. Region 10 - AK, ID, OR, WA: Michael Szerlog, US EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Ave, MC: AWT-107, Seattle, WA, 98101. Phone: 206-553-0279. szerlog.michael@epa.gov.
Headquarters Office:
Myra Price, Wetlands Division (4502T), Office of Oceans, Wetlands, and Watersheds, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: price.myra@epa.gov Phone: (202) 566-1225.

General Information

Assistance Types:
B - PROJECT GRANTS/B - Cooperative Agreements
Applicant Eligibilty:
11-Interstate/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
14-State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals)/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
15-Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
22-Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
Beneficiary Eligibilty:
14 - State, 15 - Local, 22 - Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments

History