Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants

Background
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing the Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) to assist state, Tribal, territory, and local government agencies in developing or refining programs that protect, manage, and restore wetlands. The EPA's goals include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland conditions.

The program aims to enhance the capacity of all levels of government to implement effective wetland protection and management strategies.

Grant Details
The WPDGs will support projects that develop or refine comprehensive state, Tribal, territory, or local government wetland programs. Eligible activities include:
1) Developing or updating Wetland Program Plans (WPP);
2) Conducting actions from an EPA-approved WPP;
3) Implementing actions from the Core Element Framework FY25 Grant Eligible Actions;
4) Conducting wetland mapping and monitoring projects;
5) Promoting research, investigations, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies related to wetland protection. Projects must demonstrate how they will increase the quantity and quality of wetlands.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, state and local governments, institutions of higher education (IHEs), interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia. Ineligible applicants include for-profit organizations, federal agencies, and individuals. Applications must demonstrate activities within EPA Region 08 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming) or Tribal lands within those states.

Period of Performance
The project period for funded awards is expected to range from one to five years.

Grant Value
The total funding available under this grant opportunity is approximately $2,962,000 with individual awards anticipated between $1,481,000 to $2,962,000 depending on various factors including application quality.

Place of Performance
Projects must be conducted within states or territories in EPA Region 08 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming) or on Tribal lands located within these states.