Region 9 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants

Background
The Region 9 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) are issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist state, Tribal, territory (Insular Areas), and local government agencies in developing or refining programs that protect, manage, and restore wetlands. The EPA's mission includes increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. through conservation and restoration efforts, as well as improving wetland conditions.

The program aims to enhance the capacity of all levels of government to implement effective wetland protection and management strategies using the Core Elements Framework and Wetland Program Plans (WPP).

Grant Details
The WPDGs will support projects that develop or refine state, Tribal, U.S. territory, or local government wetland programs. Eligible activities include:
1) Developing or updating a Wetland Program Plan;
2) Carrying out grant-eligible actions from an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan;
3) Conducting studies or investigations related to wetland protection;
4) Mapping and monitoring wetlands;
5) Addressing water quality challenges; and
6) Engaging communities in wetland conservation efforts. Projects must comply with applicable regulations and demonstrate how they will increase the quantity and quality of wetlands.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian Tribes, states (including U.S. territories), local governments, institutions of higher education that are agencies of a state, interstate agencies, intertribal consortia, and colleges/universities that meet specific criteria. Applicants must demonstrate project relevance to wetland programs within Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Applications cannot exceed $500,000 in funding requests.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for funded projects is expected to range from two to four years but shall not exceed five years.

Grant Value
Approximately $3,456,000 is available for this funding opportunity with an anticipated number of awards around ten. Individual grant awards may range from $3,248,000 to $3,456,000 depending on various factors including application quality and agency priorities.

Place of Performance
Projects must be conducted within EPA Region 9 which includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada as well as U.S. territories such as Guam and American Samoa.