Region 5 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants

Background
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing the Region 5 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 EPA's mission is to increase 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 develop effective and comprehensive wetland protection and management programs using the Core Elements of a Wetlands Program.

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 (WPP);
2) Carrying out grant-eligible actions from an EPA-approved WPP;
3) Conducting wetland mapping and monitoring projects;
4) Implementing training workshops and meetings for stakeholders;
5) Addressing water quality challenges and improving habitat;
6) Developing strategies for integrating wetland protection into broader environmental planning efforts. Projects must comply with all applicable regulations.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, state and local governments, institutions of higher education (IHEs), interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia. Applications must demonstrate how proposed projects will develop or refine wetland programs within EPA Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin). Applicants cannot request more than $500,000 per application.

Period of Performance
The project period is expected to be one to five years depending on the scope of the project. Incremental funding may be provided over two years contingent on performance and funding availability.

Grant Value
The total funding available for this grant opportunity is approximately $2,962,000. Individual awards are anticipated to range from $1,481,000 to $2,962,000 based on application quality and agency priorities.

Place of Performance
Projects must take place within states, Tribes, and territories located in EPA Region 5.