Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund

Background
The San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (SFBWQIF) is a competitive grant program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) to restore wetlands and improve water quality in San Francisco Bay and its watersheds.

The program aims to enhance access to federal funding and support projects that build climate resilience in underserved communities, particularly those facing environmental harm. The funding is available for five years, from 2022 to 2026, with a focus on expanding water quality restoration efforts and fostering partnerships within historically underserved communities.

Grant Details
The SFBWQIF will fund projects that restore wetlands and improve water quality in the San Francisco Bay Area. Eligible recipients can submit applications for projects located within nine counties: Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco.

Projects must demonstrate environmental benefits to underserved communities and align with the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The anticipated funding will support approximately 15-20 awards ranging from $500,000 to $2 million each. There is no match requirement for applicants.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include state and local government agencies, regional water pollution control agencies, coastal zone management agencies, federally recognized tribes, public and private universities and colleges, and non-profit institutions with documentation of their status.

Applicants must demonstrate that their projects provide benefits to underserved communities or address inequities in access to resources. Applications must also align with EPA's Strategic Plan goals related to climate resilience and environmental justice.

Period of Performance
The grant period spans five years from 2022 to 2026.

Grant Value
Approximately $14 million is available for this funding opportunity, with individual awards expected to range between $500,000 and $2 million.

Place of Performance
Projects must be conducted within the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area: Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco.