To expand and strengthen cooperative efforts to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

EPA's funding priority is to achieve the goals and commitments established in the Chesapeake 2000 agreement.

As a means to achieve the goals and commitments of the historic 1983 Chesapeake Bay Agreement

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to the current Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, assistance agreements are awarded to: Nonprofit organizations, State and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies.

The type of projects that are awarded range from monitoring of bay toxins to environmental education.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: The five overarching commitments laid out in the Chesapeake 2000 agreement define the funding priorities for the Chesapeake Bay Program.

These commitments are: (1) Restore, enhance, and protect the finfish, shellfish, and other living resources; their habitats; and ecological relationships to sustain all fisheries and provide for a balanced ecosystem; (2) Preserve, protect, and restore those habitats and natural areas that are vital to the survival and diversity of the living resources of the Bay and its rivers; (3) Achieve and maintain the water quality necessary to support the aquatic living resources of the Bay and its tributaries and to protect human health; (4) Develop, promote, and achieve sound land use practices which protect and restore watershed resources and water quality; maintain reduced pollutant loadings for the Bay and its tributaries; and restore and preserve aquatic living resources; and (5) Promote individual stewardship and assist individuals, community-based organizations, businesses, local governments, and schools to undertake initiatives to achieve the goals and commitments of this agreement.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: The five overarching commitments laid out in the Chesapeake 2000 agreement define the funding priorities for the Chesapeake Bay Program.

These commitments are: (1) Restore, enhance, and protect the finfish, shellfish, and other living resources; their habitats; and ecological relationships to sustain all fisheries and provide for a balanced ecosystem; (2) Preserve, protect, and restore those habitats and natural areas that are vital to the survival and diversity of the living resources of the Bay and its rivers; (3) Achieve and maintain the water quality necessary to support the aquatic living resources of the Bay and its tributaries and to protect human health; (4) Develop, promote, and achieve sound land use practices which protect and restore watershed resources and water quality; maintain reduced pollutant loadings for the Bay and its tributaries; and restore and preserve aquatic living resources; and (5) Promote individual stewardship and assist individuals, community-based organizations, businesses, local governments, and schools to undertake initiatives to achieve the goals and commitments of this agreement.

In FYs 07 and 08, CBPO issued two RFPs. CBPO received 4 proposals and two awards are pending to date. FY 07 and 08 activities included: communications, outreach, and education activities to support the staffing and operations of the Bay Program Communication Office; implementation of state tributary strategies to reduce nutrients and sediments to improve water quality; continued technical support and outreach to address water quality restoration goals and maintain public awareness of Bay restoration; investigate the nitrogen reduction efficiency and cost effectiveness of nitrogen reducing septic systems within the mid-Atlantic region; evaluation of the impact of phosphorus species on water quality and plant growth; NPDES data synthesis and field monitoring to better estimate loadings of toxics (metals, organics) to Chesapeake Bay through storm water; Chesapeake Bay modeling, GIS and data analyses support, WQ data analysis/integration support, and nonpoint and point source data management/analysis. In FY 07, CBPO issued one RFP for Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Annual Aerial Survey. CBPO received one proposal and one award is pending. In FY 08, CBPO issued one RFP for the Development and Implementation of a Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Program CBPO received three proposals and one award is pending.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Section 117 authorizes the Agency to award grants or cooperative agreements to: (l) Nonprofit organizations, State and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies as authorized under and in accordance with Section 117(d)(1), to implement the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, such as activities to support living resources, vital habitat, water quality, sound land use protection, restoration, and stewardship community engagement.

State agencies applying for grants under Section 117(d)(1) must commit to a cost share ranging from 5 percent to 50 percent, as determined at the sole discretion of EPA.

This determination will be made on a grant-by-grant basis and EPA will promptly inform the applicant of the selected cost share requirement.

All other applicants applying for grants under Section 117 must commit to a cost share of 5 percent of the total project costs; (2) signatory jurisdictions of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement for purposes of implementing the management mechanisms established under the Chesapeake Bay Agreement and for the purpose of monitoring the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, as authorized under and in accordance with Section 117(e).

This section requires a non-federal matching funds of at least fifty percent.

The Small Watershed Grants Program provides small grants to organizations working on a local level to protect and improve watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay basin while building citizen based resource stewardship, as authorized and in accordance with Section 117(g)(2).

This section requires a non-federal matching funds of 25 percent.

The purpose of the Small Watershed Grants Program is to address the water quality and living resource needs of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

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

Under section 117(d)(1), funds are available for technical assistance and assistance grants to nonprofit organizations, State and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies; under section 117(e), funds are available for implementation and monitoring grants to signatory jurisdictions; and under section 117(g)(2), funds are available for technical assistance and assistance grants under the Small Watershed Grants Program to local governments and nonprofit organizations and individuals in the Chesapeake Bay region.

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.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Under section 117(d)(1), funds are available for technical assistance and assistance grants to nonprofit organizations, State and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies; under section 117(e), funds are available for implementation and monitoring grants to signatory jurisdictions; and under Section 117(g)(2), funds are available for technical assistance and assistance grants under the Small Watershed Grants Program to local governments and nonprofit organizations and individuals in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Credentials/Documentation

Compliance with 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31, and with Program Grant Guidance to matching funds. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments, OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations, and OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

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.

Preapplication assistance is recommended and should be obtained from the EPA Region III Grants Management Office.

All proposals or work statements should be consistent with CBPO's Grant Guidance.

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

RFPs will be announced to request initial proposals to implement specific outcomes that will further goals of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. Interested parties who would like to receive a copy of issued RFPs and be added to the Environmental Protection Agency's CBPO RFP database should submit their name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (optional) to Veronica Kuczynski at kuczynski.veronica@epa.gov. Mailing address is Environmental Protection Agency, CBPO, Grants Office, 410 Severn Ave., Suite 109, Annapolis, MD 21403. EPA will only accept addresses provided in writing (e-mail or letter); no phone calls. Interested parties applying for a grant under the Small Watershed Grants Program should submit their name and address to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20026, for purpose of establishing a database to receive RFPs. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will list the RFP on their website: www.NFWF.org. Application kits may be requested from EPA CBPO, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109, Annapolis, MD 21403. The completed application, including the final proposal, should be submitted to EPA Region III Grants Management Office, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 with a copy to CBPO in Annapolis for processing. The standard application forms, as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102, must be used for this program.

Award Procedures

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

Proposals are received when an Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued, usually in the spring/summer time frame. CBPO will post the RFP on its website http://www.epa.gov/region03/Chesapeake/grants.htm. Application deadlines will be provided in the RFP.

Authorization

Clean Water Act, Section 117.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 7 months after deadline for application submission.

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

Renewals are subject to approval of EPA.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Under Section 117 (e), State agencies applying for implementation and monitoring grants must identify 50 percent cost share of total project costs (equal match/dollar for dollar). State agencies applying for grants under Section 117 (d)(1), must commit to a cost share ranging from 5 percent to 50 percent as determined at the sole discretion of EPA. This determination will be made on a grant-by-grant basis and EPA will promptly inform the applicant of the selected cost share requirement. All other applicants applying for grants under Section 117 must commit to a cost share of 5 percent of the total project costs. Applicants applying for Small Watershed Grants Program under Section 117(g)(2) must commit to a cost share of 25 percent of the total project cost. State and local governments receiving assistance under any of the provisions of Section 117 must comply with 40 CFR 31.24 and all other applicants must comply with 40 CFR 30.23. In addition to the cost share requirement, applicants must adhere to the requirement in the Clean Water Act, Section 117 - "Administrative Costs." This section requires a 10 percent cap for administrative costs. The cost of salaries and fringe benefits incurred in administering the grant cannot exceed 10 percent of the Federal grant amount.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are normally funded on a 12-month basis. The term of the grant shall be determined at the time of grant award.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Quarterly, semi-annual, and final progress and expenditure reports; program evaluation; and other reports as required by the specific terms of the Agreement and EPA Order 5700.7, Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements.

Financial Status Reports must be submitted.

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 for 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

68-0108-0-1-304; EPM.

Obigations

FY 07 $14,154,594; FY 08 $24,844,000; and FY 09 $29,001,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$5,000 to $7,800,000/fiscal year; $3,902,500/fiscal year.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Chesapeake Bay Program Office's Annual Grant Guidance and general regulations (40 CFR Parts 30 and 31) for assistance programs available from EPA.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Veronica Kuczynski, EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109, Annapolis, MD 21403. Telephone: (410) 267-5743; Fax: (410) 267-5777; E-mail: kuczynski.veronica@epa.gov.

Headquarters Office

None.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

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