Water Protection Grants to the States
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: EPA's funding priority is to provide grant assistance to the States, Territories, and possessions of the United States to support technical assistance,
States, Territories, and possessions of the United States will be able to continue their efforts to coordinate critical water infrastructure protection activities with other homeland security responsibilities.
Grant awards support Goal 2, "Clean and Safe Water," of EPA's 2006-2011 Strategic Plan.
Specifically, awards will enhance public health protection by securing critical infrastructure through support for counter-terrorism preparedness; communicating vision, mission, and goals of the sector specific plan and the key features of an active and effective security program; helping to ensure security best practices for small systems; promoting outreach and education at small systems; promoting mutual aid compacts development; supporting the development of system redundance, a national laboratory system and disaster mitigation plans; and developing and overseeing emergency response and recovery plans, including those related to pandemic flu concerns.
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: EPA's funding priority is to provide grant assistance to the States, Territories, and possessions of the United States to support technical assistance, training, and communication activities on critical water infrastructure protection efforts that include work with drinking water systems as well as with Federal, State, and local agencies.
States, Territories, and possessions of the United States will be able to continue their efforts to coordinate critical water infrastructure protection activities with other homeland security responsibilities.
Grant awards support Goal 2, "Clean and Safe Water," of EPA's 2006-2011 Strategic Plan.
Specifically, awards will enhance public health protection by securing critical infrastructure through support for counter-terrorism preparedness; communicating vision, mission, and goals of the sector specific plan and the key features of an active and effective security program; helping to ensure security best practices for small systems; promoting outreach and education at small systems; promoting mutual aid compacts development; supporting the development of system redundance, a national laboratory system and disaster mitigation plans; and developing and overseeing emergency response and recovery plans, including those related to pandemic flu concerns.
Examples of Funded Projects
EPA has supported the following types of drinking water security activities: (1) improving communications to drinking water systems by updating drinking water system contact information and utilizing a mass faxing system; (2) providing onsite assistance for small drinking water systems on security issues; (3) developing and mailing security information kits to drinking water systems; (4) maintaining a duty officer program and toll free number to enable operators to reach state drinking water agency after hours; (5) assisting in the formation of neighborhood watch programs to increase citizen awareness of drinking water security; (6) developing guidance for water utilities to use alternative water supplies; (7) incorporating security considerations into state design standards and State Revolving Fund (SRF) criteria; (8) creating websites to provide easy access to state drinking water security information; (9) designing and conducting on-line training, videos, and materials for the law enforcement community to outline water utility security basics; (10) conducting emergency response exercises and drills; (11) creating ready-to-go complete sampling kits to eliminate delays in obtaining bottles and preparing expedited sampling and transport protocols in preparation for emergency water supply collection needs; (12) assisting in preparation of state plans to implement measures for safe drinking water under emergency circumstances; and (13) facilitating mutual aid compacts in instances of emergency need, between states and water systems.
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
In FY 07 and FY 08, awards were made to 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 5 Territories. In FY 07 and FY 08, States and Territories developed materials (i.e., documents, training manuals, etc.) focused on improving security and emergency response, ensuring the quality of drinking water vulnerability assessments, and associated security enhancements. Additionally, States and Territories conducted a number of trainings, workshops, and/or conferences to improve infrastructure protection, increase preparedness, promote mutual aid compacts and/or provide information to drinking water utilities. Outcomes included changed management and operation of drinking water utilities based on training, current vulnerability assessments of the utilities, establishment of mutual aid compacts, and improved emergency response coordination and communications. In FY 09, States and Territories will continue to provide similar security activities to achieve the overall outcome of improving critical water infrastructure protection with an emphasis on smaller systems, mutual aid compacts between systems and states, and better understanding and application of an active and effective security system.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funded activities include providing: (1) technical assistance, training, or distribution of tools that would lead to satisfactory vulnerability assessments of drinking water systems; (2) technical assistance, training, or distribution of tools that would lead to drinking water systems creating, amending or updating emergency response plans to meet new requirements or security threats; (3) assistance to improve communications with or between drinking water systems and other agencies or organizations involved with security or emergency response; and (4) other activities focusing on training to enhance security and improving the readiness of individuals and groups involved in first response at drinking water systems.
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
Assistance under this program is available to States, Tribes, Territories, and possessions of the United States.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Water programs of States, Territories, and possessions of the United States.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Pre-application assistance is recommended and should be obtained from the Grants Management Office of the pertinent EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
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.
Application Procedures
The standard application forms, furnished by EPA and required by OMB Circular No. A-102, must be used for this program. Requests for application kits may be directed to the Grants Management Office of the applicable EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Kits may also be obtained online at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm. The completed application, including the final proposal, should be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Grants Management Office. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.
Award Procedures
Application is reviewed by the appropriate EPA Regional Office and, if approved, is signed by the Regional Administrator or designated Division Director.
Deadlines
Application forms must be submitted according to dates established by the individual EPA Regional Offices. Contact the individual EPA Regional Offices for application deadlines.
Authorization
Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442, as amended; Department of Defense and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States Act, 2002, Public Law 107-117; Consolidated Appropriations Resolution of 2003, Public Law 108-7; Consolidated Appropriations Resolution of 2004, Public Law 108-199.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 30 to 90 days.
Appeals
Disputes will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
As was the case in FY 02 through FY 07, for FY 08 a modification of the basic PWSS formula was chosen to allocate the funds, with each State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico receiving a minimum of $50,000 and each Territory at least $16,700. This program has no matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The project/budget period on these grants may exceed one year. The term of the grant shall be determined at the time of grant award.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Recipients must submit the reports required in 40 CFR 31 and in accordance with Regional post-award monitoring plans.
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 must be maintained for three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304; STAG.
Obigations
FY 07 $3,730,200; FY 08 $4,873,000; and FY 09 est $4,950,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Funds are awarded by each Regional Office. The range of financial assistance available to States varies according to program and fiscal year. Contact the Grants Management Office of the pertinent EPA Regional Office, listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog, to determine the amount for which applicants are eligible. The range and average of financial assistance provided is: FY 07 - $16,700 to $299,900/fiscal year; $158,300/fiscal year; FY 08 - $16,700 to $294,900/fiscal year; $155,800/fiscal year.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
40 CFR Part 31, General Regulation for Assistance Programs; EPA Annual Program Guidance provided to States.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact the Grants Management Office of the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
For general information on the program, contact Nancy Muzzy, Water Security Division, EPA, (Mail Code 140), 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268. Telephone: (513) 569-7864; Fax: (513) 569-7191; E-mail: muzzy.nancy@epa.gov. For specific information on the program, contact the appropriate Regional Office.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals are approved by EPA according to technical merit and relevance, and availability of funds.
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