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

credit: Constantine Alexander Blog

or municipal) programs.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: Under the Regional Wetland Program Development Grant (WPDG) Competition, EPA has identified the following two national program priority areas for improving State/Tribe/local governments (S/T/LGs) ability to protect and restore their wetlands: (1) Regulation (Enhancing Wetlands Protection), with an emphasis on increasing the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation and refining the protection of vulnerable waters (this includes promoting a number of different approaches for S/T/LGs to use in the development of wetlands protection measures); and (2) Monitoring and Assessment, with an emphasis on probabilistic wetland condition surveys and wetland mapping, and an overall goal of building the capacity of States/Tribes to report on the condition and quantity of their wetlands.

Regions may add additional Region specific priorities or clarify the two national program priorities.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: Under the Regional Wetland Program Development Grant (WPDG) Competition, EPA has identified the following two national program priority areas for improving State/Tribe/local governments (S/T/LGs) ability to protect and restore their wetlands: (1) Regulation (Enhancing Wetlands Protection), with an emphasis on increasing the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation and refining the protection of vulnerable waters (this includes promoting a number of different approaches for S/T/LGs to use in the development of wetlands protection measures); and (2) Monitoring and Assessment, with an emphasis on probabilistic wetland condition surveys and wetland mapping, and an overall goal of building the capacity of States/Tribes to report on the condition and quantity of their wetlands.

Regions may add additional Region specific priorities or clarify the two national program priorities.

Each of the ten EPA Regional Offices issues 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 07, approximately 5 to 20 proposal were received by each Region under the ten Regional competitive announcements with approximately 3 to 11 cooperative agreements or grants to be awarded under each Regional competitive announcements. No awards were made non-competitively in FY 07. In FY 07, projects were funded to support activities such as development of plans and management tools for protection of wetland resources; advancing the science and technical tools for evaluating, protecting, and restoring wetland health; facilitating development of watershed stakeholder partnerships; and improving public access to and education about wetlands information. Until this date, no awards were made non-competitively in FY 08. In FY08, competitions and awards are yet to be determined.

Uses and Use Restrictions

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 initial 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: http://geodata.epa.gov.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

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 State government are eligible to receive funds through these competitions.

Universities must include documentation showing that they are chartered as a part of 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

State, Tribal, and local governments involved in administering wetlands protection, restoration and/or management programs, or programs related to or complement wetlands protection programs.

Credentials/Documentation

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 State government in their proposal.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Each EPA Regional Office will set up its own competitive process for awarding WPDGs.

Interested applicants should review information on the WPDG at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/grantguidelines/.

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.

Application Procedures

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 OMB Circular No. A-102, must be used for this program. Applicants can also receive a copy of the current announcement by calling the EPA Regional Coordinator. Application forms are available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/index.htm and by mail upon request to the Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division at (202) 564-5305. Completed applications should be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Office. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedures

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

Contact the EPA Regional office for information and to confirm deadlines.

Authorization

Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3), as amended, Public Law 92-500, 33 U.S.C. 1254(b)(3).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Grants are usually approved within 4 months of receipt of completed application.

Appeals

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 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and 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 40 CFR 31.24, 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.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The terms of the grant shall be determined at time of grant award.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

At a minimum annual interim and final progress and expenditure reports and at a maximum quarterly interim and final progress and expenditure reports; program evaluations; and other reports as required by the specific terms of the agreement.

Audits

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. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records 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

Account Identification

68-0103-0-1-304; STAG.

Obigations

FY 07 $9,300,000; FY 08 $15,829,000; and FY 09 est. $15,800,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$25,000 to $500,000/fiscal year; $253,500/fiscal year.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

General Grant Regulations and Procedures (40 CFR Parts 30, 31 and 35.610 through 35.615); OMB Circulars A-87 and A-122, as applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Region 1 - CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT: Jeanne Voorhees. US EPA Region 1, 1 Congress Street, MC CSP, Suite 100, Boston, MA, 02114. Phone: 617-918-1686. voorhees.jeanne@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: Morgan Jackson, US EPA Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Atlanta, GA, 30303. Phone: 404-562-9393. jackson.morgan@epa.gov. Region 5 - IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI: Cathy Garra, US EPA Region 5, 77 West Jackson Blvd., MC WW16J, Chicago, IL, 60604. Phone: 312-886-0241. garra.catherine@epa.gov. Region 6 - AR, LA, NM, OK, TX: Mariama Dover, US EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, MC 6WQ-AT, Dallas, TX, 75202. Phone: 214-665-6778. dover.mariama@epa.gov. Region 7 - IA, KS, MO, NE: Mandy Whitsitt, US EPA Region 7, 901 North Fifth Street, Kansas City, KS, 66101. Phone: 913-551-7311. whitsitt.mandy@epa.gov. Region 8 - CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY: Brent Truskowski, US EPA Region 8, 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80202. Phone: 303-312-6235. truskowski.brent@epa.gov. Region 9 - AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU: Suzanne Marr, US EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Phone: 415-972-3468. marr.suzanne@epa.gov. Region 10 - AK, ID, OR, WA: David Kulman, US EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98101. Phone: 206-553-6219. kulman.david@epa.gov.

Headquarters Office

Myra Price, EPA Wetlands Division, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., MC (4502T), Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 566-1225; Fax: (202) 566-1349; E-mail: price.myra@epa.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.