66.466: Geographic Programs - Chesapeake Bay Program

66.466

Active

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Sept. 19, 2022

Sept. 19, 2022

The EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) awards competitive grants and cooperative agreements to states, tribal and local governments, non-governmental organizations, interstate agencies and academic institutions to reduce and prevent pollution and to improve the living resources in the Chesapeake Bay. Grants are awarded for implementation projects, as well as for technical assistance, monitoring, environmental education, and other related activities. EPA's funding priority is to achieve the goals and objectives established in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement through the implementation of the management strategies. More detail on these can be found at http://www.chesapeakeprogress.com. Funded projects have helped support the commitments set forth in Chesapeake Executive Council agreements and amendments (The Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983 through the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement) and subsequent directives, adoption statements, endorsements and resolutions to expand and strengthen cooperative efforts to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. The competitive assistance agreements under this program include: • Small Watershed Grants (SWG): This EPA program component supports local governments and non-governmental organizations working to protect and improve local waters and habitats across the Bay watershed while building citizen-based resource stewardship. • Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants (INSR): This program component supports regional innovative solutions to reduce or eliminate nutrient and sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. • Technical Assistance and General Assistance Grants: This program component supports nonprofit organizations, state, tribal and local governments, academic institutions, and others to implement the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2021: The funding priorities remain the same as in FY 2020. Work in this program directly supports Goal 1/Objective 1.2, Provide Clean and Safe Water in EPA's FY 2018 - 2022 Strategic Plan. Most of EPA’s direct efforts for FY 2021 will focus on supporting implementation of the two-year Logic & Action Plans for the 25 Management Strategies developed under the Agreement, with particular focus on accelerating implementation of outcomes where progress is lagging. The program is increasing focus on environmental justice ensuring the benefits of the Chesapeake Bay Program are distributed equitably. In addition, the program is increasing efforts in the climate change space by focusing initiatives on the resiliency of the watershed. Specific emphases include: • Implementation of the water quality outcomes that describe the commitment of the Agreement signatories for having all practices in place by 2025 to achieve the necessary pollutant reductions; • Accelerating implementation of outcomes that help keep the watershed resilient in the face of climate change (including forest and wetland protection and restoration); • Ensuring the most up-to-date science is used throughout the Chesapeake Bay Program to support decision-making, implementation, and future condition assessment. For example, improving computer models to help predict the impact of climate change on the Chesapeake Bay Program’s ability to meet water quality standards in the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay; and • Implementing an action plan to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in Chesapeake Bay Program restoration efforts.

B - Project Grants (Discretionary)

Under section 117(d), funds are available for technical and general assistance grants to nonprofit organizations, State, tribal (federally-recognized) and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies; 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 assistance listing, 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 is the same as applicant eligibility.

66.419 - Water Pollution Control State, Interstate, and Tribal Program Support

66.454 - Water Quality Management Planning

66.460 - Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants

https://sam.gov/fal/7e38820d04f049cdaafef4c1452f9fc0/view