Water Quality Management Planning
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: Funds were allotted by State in
Grant funds are used to determine the nature and extent of point and nonpoint source pollution and to develop management plans to solve them.
States are encouraged to give priority to watershed restoration planning.
EPA is requesting States to emphasize a watershed approach in developing their State workplans.
This will complement the Agency's overall watershed effort as stated in the Agency's Strategic Plan.
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: Funds are allotted by State in accordance with Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act.
Grant funds are used to determine the nature and extent of point and non-point source pollution and to develop water quality management plans to solve them.
States are encouraged to give priority to watershed restoration planning.
EPA is requesting States to emphasize a watershed approach in EPA is requesting States to emphasize a watershed approach in developing their State workplans.
This will complement the Agency's overall watershed effort as stated in the Agency's Strategic Plan.
Examples of Funded Projects
Grants are allocated to States for pesticide/ toxic control studies, watershed management plans, basin groundwater management quality standards, urban stormwater management plans, mine water quality management studies, and the development of waste load allocations/total maximum daily loads.
Regional Comprehensive Planning Organizations (RCPOs) conduct consistency reviews of NPDES Permits, facility plans, and construction operating permits.
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.
Program Accomplishments
Section 604(b) funding provides the financial source for States and territories to pursue water quality planning under Section 205(j) of the Clean Water Act accomplishes under this funding program are not quantifiable, but, are used to provide a planned framework for watershed restoration and other water-related implementation activities. In FY 08, 57 State and territorial grants were awarded to support water quality planning activities. Outputs included consistency reviews of NPDES Permits,development of Watershed Management plans, river planning projects and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) plans.Similar types of planning activities are anticipated for FY 08.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Section 604(b) funds are awarded under Section 205(j)(2) to State water quality management agencies to carry out WQM planning.
Pursuant to Section 205(j)(3) of the CWA, as amended, States are required to allocate at least 40 percent of funds awarded under 205(j)(2) to eligible RPCPOs and IOs.
EPA may approve a State's request to pass through less than 40 percent if, after consultation with its RPCPOs and IOs, the Governor determines that pass through of at least 40 percent will not: (1) result in significant participation by RPCPOs and IOs in WQM planning; and (2) significantly assist in development and implementation of the state's WQM plan.
Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information.
Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State Water Quality Management Agencies.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State Water Quality Management Agencies.
Credentials/Documentation
Compliance with 40 CFR 31. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms, as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No.
A-102, must be used for this program.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Neither environmental impact statements nor environmental impact assessments are required for activities funded under Section 205(j) and 604(b) since these funds are used for water quality planning and not implementation.
Application Procedures
The grant application must be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Administrator's Office. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. The standard application forms, as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102, must be used for this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mailcode (3903R), Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. Additional information on the EPA grant package can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm.
Award Procedures
Grant applications are reviewed by the appropriate EPA Regional Office and, if approved, the funds are awarded by the Regional Administrator.
Deadlines
Grant application forms must be submitted according to dates established by the Regional Administrators. Contact the appropriate EPA Regional Office for application deadlines.
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Sections 205(j) and 604(b), as amended, Public Law 97-117; Water Quality Act of 1987, Public Law 100-4.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 45 days.
Appeals
Disputes will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Each fiscal year, the Administrator shall reserve under Section 604(b) of the CWA for each State an amount not to exceed one percent of the amount allotted and available for obligation for construction grants or $100,000, whichever is greater, for the purposes of making grants to the States to carry out water quality management planning. Under Section 205(j)(3), at least 40 percent of a State's annual award under 205(j)(2) must be allocated to eligible RPCPOs and IOs, unless EPA approves a lesser amount. The program has no matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
As determined in accordance with Section 604 (c)(1) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Sums allotted to a State under this section for a fiscal year shall be available for obligation by the State during the fiscal year for which sums are authorized and during the following fiscal year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual expenditure reports are required.
Audits
Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records kept for 3 years from date of submission of the annual financial status report. If questions remain, records retained until matter is completely resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304; STAG.
Obigations
FY 07 11,080,000; FY 08 $8,607,444; and FY 09 est. $7,665,955.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$100,000 to $1,500,000/fiscal year; $800,000/fiscal year.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
EPA General Grant Regulations and Procedures, 40 CFR Part 31 and 40 CFR Part 35, Subpart A.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Don Kunkoski, Assessment and Watershed Protection Division (4503T), Office of Water, EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (301) 694-7329; Fax: (202) 566-1545; E-mail: kunkoski.don@epa.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Funds are awarded to State agencies in accordance with Section 205(j) of the Clean Water Act and EPA program guidance.
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