66.484: Geographic Programs - South Florida Geographic Initiatives Program

66.484

Active

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Sept. 23, 2022

Sept. 23, 2022

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was created through Public Law 101-605, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act of 1990. The Sanctuary includes 2,900 square nautical miles of nearshore waters and coral reefs extending from Biscayne Bay to the Dry Tortugas. Recognizing the critical role of water quality in maintaining Sanctuary resources, Congress directed the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to develop a Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) for the Sanctuary. The Act directs the WQPP to develop corrective actions and compliance schedules to address point and nonpoint sources of pollution to maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Sanctuary. This includes restoration and maintenance of a balance, indigenous population of corals, shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in and on the water. In addition to corrective actions, the 1990 Act requires public participation developing and implementing the program. In 1998, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) was established by Executive Order 13089 to lead U.S. efforts to restore and protect coral reef ecosystems. In October 2002, the USCRTF implemented a National Action Plan to conserve coral reefs. The Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) characterizes the existing condition of the coral reef ecosystem; quantifies and characterizes the land-based sources of pollution, identifies how sources of pollution impact the coral reef; develops strategies to reduce the impact of land-based sources of pollution; and increases public awareness and understanding of the effects of land-based sources of pollution on water quality and coral reefs. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2021: 1) Florida Reef Tract Coral Health: Develop innovative techniques to treat or mitigate the effects of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) impacting half of the reef building coral species on the Florida Reef Tract. 2) Harmful Algal Blooms in South Florida: The research and development of tools and technologies that help promote scientific progress towards preventing, mitigating and reducing HABS such as red tide, microcystis/cyanobacteria and sargassum impacting beaches, canals and nearshore waters in priorities regions that include Florida Bay, Caloosahatchee Estuary, Biscayne Bay, Indian River Lagoon and the Florida Keys. 3) Water Quality and/or Seagrass Monitoring: Enhance water quality and/or seagrass monitoring networks in targeted areas such as the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, Biscayne Bay or Florida Bay to quantity environmental impacts from land-based pollution; assess changes of ecological conditions and functions; evaluate effectiveness of management actions; determine causes of seagrass decline and evaluate health, species, and composition; evaluate impacts from Lake Okeechobee management; or develop early detection pollutants or harmful algal blooms. 4) Aquatic Habitat Restoration in South Florida: The design of habitat projects to reestablish, rehabilitate or enhance oysters, seagrass, or mangroves by building local capacity and engaging community volunteers to protect and restore these living resources within South Florida's ecosystem. 5) Reducing Trash in South Florida: Trash removal from rivers, estuaries, wetlands and beaches through clean-up events, trash prevention and education. 6) Analyses of Water Quality Data: Conduct alternative analyses or mining of the existing suite of water quality data and satellite imagery to determine if water quality improvements, hotspot area, or specific sources contributing to water quality degradation can be determined. 6) Sponge Restoration Techniques: Incorporate current knowledge of hardbottom sponge community filtration and recruitment dynamics in a study for improving water quality.

B - Project Grants (Discretionary)

States, local governments, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia); public and private universities and colleges; hospitals; laboratories; public or private nonprofit institutions; and intertribal consortia. 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.

Not Applicable

https://sam.gov/fal/506d91738a2f469aa09eaf8a02543643/view