Region 1 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants

Background
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing the Region 1 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) to assist state, Tribal, territory, and local government agencies, as well as interstate or intertribal entities in developing or refining programs that protect, manage, and restore wetlands.

The goals of the EPA’s wetland program include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland conditions. The EPA aims to enhance the capacity of all levels of government to create effective programs for wetland protection and management through the use of Core Elements of a Wetlands Program and Wetland Program Plans (WPP).

Grant Details
The WPDGs will support projects that develop or refine state, Tribal, territory, or local government wetland programs. Eligible activities include:

1) Developing or updating a Wetland Program Plan;
2) Implementing actions from an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan;
3) Conducting wetland mapping and monitoring projects;
4) Addressing water quality challenges;
5) Reducing wetland losses;
6) Expanding research and education on wetland restoration;
7) Engaging communities in wetland use for recreational and cultural purposes.

Projects must comply with all applicable regulations.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian Tribes, state governments (including U.S. territories), local governments, institutions of higher education, interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia. Ineligible applicants include for-profit organizations, federal agencies, and individuals.

Applications must demonstrate activities taking place within EPA Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont). Applicants cannot request more than $350,000.

Period of Performance
The grant period is expected to be one to four years.

Grant Value
The total funding available is approximately $2,784,000 with an anticipated number of awards ranging from 8 to 13. Individual awards may vary based on project quality and funding availability.

Place of Performance
Projects must take place within states and territories in EPA Region 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.