Geographic Programs - Chesapeake Bay Program

 

The EPA's Geographic Programs - Chesapeake Bay Program (referred to as Chesapeake Bay Program) awards competitive grants to states, tribal and local governments, non-governmental organizations, interstate agencies and academic institutions to reduce and prevent pollution and to improve the living resources in the Chesapeake Bay. Grants are awarded for implementation projects, as well as for technical assistance, monitoring, environmental education, and other related activities. EPA's funding priority is to achieve the goals and objectives established in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement through the implementation of the management strategies. More detail on these can be found at http://www.chesapeakeprogress.com. The competitive assistance agreements under this program include: 1) Small Watershed Grants (SWG): This EPA program component supports local governments and non-governmental organizations working to protect and improve local waters and habitats across the Bay watershed while building citizen-based resource stewardship. 2) Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants (INSR): This program component supports regional innovative solutions to reduce or eliminate nutrient and sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. 3) Technical Assistance and General Assistance Grants: This program component supports nonprofit organizations, state, tribal and local governments, academic institutions, and others to implement the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2023: Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds in EPA's FY 2022 - 2026 Strategic Plan. Most of EPAs direct efforts for FY 2023 will focus on supporting implementation of the two-year Logic & Action Plans for the 25 Management Strategies developed under the Agreement, with particular focus on accelerating implementation of outcomes where progress is lagging. In addition, the program is increasing focus on environmental justice ensuring the benefits of the Chesapeake Bay Program are distributed equitably, as well as increasing efforts in the climate change space by focusing initiatives on the resiliency of the watershed. Specific emphases include: Implementation of the water quality outcomes that describe the commitment of the Agreement signatories for having all practices in place by 2025 to achieve the necessary pollutant reductions; Accelerating implementation of outcomes that help keep the watershed resilient in the face of climate change (including forest and wetland protection and restoration); Ensuring the most up-to-date science is used throughout the Chesapeake Bay Program to support decision-making, implementation, and future condition assessment. For example, improving computer models to help predict the impact of climate change on the Chesapeake Bay Programs ability to meet water quality standards in the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay; and implementing an action plan to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in Chesapeake Bay Program restoration efforts.

Active 66.466 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 To date in FY 2016, CBPO has issued three RFP announcements. CBPO received one proposal for one of these RFPs, and issued one award. CBPO may issue additional RFPs in FY 16, and plans to fund over 45 existing awards. FY 16 activities will include: citizens monitoring; communications, outreach, and education activities to support the staffing and operations of the Bay Program Communication Office; implementation of WIPs to reduce nutrients and sediments to improve water quality; continued technical support and outreach to address water quality restoration goals and maintain public awareness of Bay restoration; investigation of the nitrogen reduction efficiency and cost effectiveness of nitrogen reducing septic systems within the mid-Atlantic region; evaluation of the impact of phosphorus species on water quality and plant growth; NPDES data synthesis and field monitoring to better estimate loadings of toxics (metals, organics) to Chesapeake Bay through storm water; Chesapeake Bay modeling, GIS and data analyses support, water quality data analysis/integration support, nonpoint and point source data management/analysis; and development of new regulations, design of TMDL watershed implementation plans, reissuance and enforcement of permits, and technical and compliance assistance to local governments and regulated entities to meet the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement To date in FY 2016, CBPO has issued three RFP announcements. CBPO received one proposal for one of these RFPs, and issued one award. CBPO may issue additional RFPs in FY 16, and plans to fund over 45 existing awards. FY 16 activities will include: citizens monitoring; communications, outreach, and education activities to support the staffing and operations of the Bay Program Communication Office; implementation of WIPs to reduce nutrients and sediments to improve water quality; continued technical support and outreach to address water quality restoration goals and maintain public awareness of Bay restoration; investigation of the nitrogen reduction efficiency and cost effectiveness of nitrogen reducing septic systems within the mid-Atlantic region; evaluation of the impact of phosphorus species on water quality and plant growth; NPDES data synthesis and field monitoring to better estimate loadings of toxics (metals, organics) to Chesapeake Bay through storm water; Chesapeake Bay modeling, GIS and data analyses support, water quality data analysis/integration support, nonpoint and point source data management/analysis; and development of new regulations, design of TMDL watershed implementation plans, reissuance and enforcement of permits, and technical and compliance assistance to local governments and regulated entities to meet the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Fiscal Year 2017 In FY17, one RFP was issued, thirteen were proposals received, and four awards were issued. Additionally, over 45 existing assistance agreements were funded. Accomplishments include: citizens monitoring; communications, outreach and education activities to support the staffing and operations of the Bay Program; implementation of WIPs to reduce nutrients and sediments to improve water quality; continued technical support and outreach to address water quality restoration goals and maintain public awareness of Bay restoration; investigation of the nitrogen reduction efficiency and cost effectiveness of nitrogen reduction septic systems within the mid-Atlantic region; evaluation of the impact of phosphorus on water quality and plant growth; NPDES data synthesis and field monitoring to better estimate loadings of toxics (metals, organics) to the Bay through stormwater; Chesapeake Bay modeling; GIS and data analyses support; water quality data analysis/integration support; nonpoint and point source data management and analysis; development of new regulations; design of TMDL watershed implementation plans; reissuance and enforcement of permits; and technical and compliance assistance to local governments and regulated entities to meet the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed agreement.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY18 two RFPs were released and three awards were made. Additionally, over 45 existing assistance agreements were funded. Accomplishments for FY18 included: continued implementation of WIPs to reduce nutrients and sediments to improve water quality; continued technical support and outreach to address water quality restoration goals and maintain public awareness of Bay restoration; citizens monitoring; Chesapeake Bay modeling, GIS and data analyses support, water quality data analysis/integration support, nonpoint and point source data management/analysis; and technical assistance to local governments and regulated entities to meet the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY 2019 three RFAs were released with three awards. Accomplishments for FY 2019 were similar to the accomplishments achieved in the previous fiscal year. More specifically, at the end of FY 2019, practices were in place throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed to achieve 77 percent of the phosphorus reductions and 39 percent of the nitrogen reductions necessary to attain applicable water quality standards as measured through the Partnership’s Phase 6 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY 2023, it is projected that 13 RFAs will be released for up to 16 awards. EPA plans to continue to provide the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership with funding and technical assistance, track and report progress, and coordinate and facilitate partnership efforts to reach our mutual goals of a healthy Bay and watershed. The Chesapeake Bay Program is continuing to reaffirm its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and will ensure the benefits of our science, restoration, and partnership programs are distributed equitably without disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations. Additionally, EPA will work to further integrate climate change in Bay restoration efforts. EPA and the partnership are actively investigating Best Management Practices to better protect the watershed and tidal Bay against the observed increased precipitation volumes and intensity brought about by climate change in urban/developed and agricultural regions. Clean Water Act, Section 117(e)
Clean Water Act, Section 117(d)
Clean Water Act, Section 117(g)(2)
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58 Under section 117(d), funds are available for technical and general assistance grants to nonprofit organizations, State, tribal (federally-recognized) and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies; and under section 117(g)(2), funds are available for technical assistance and assistance grants under the Small Watershed Grants Program to local governments and nonprofit organizations and individuals in the Chesapeake Bay region. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Beneficiary eligibility is the same as applicant eligibility. Compliance with the program grant guidance (https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance) such as cost-share requirements. Preapplication coordination is required. 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. Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," applies under this assistance listing when proposed Federal financial assistance involves land use planning or assessments, implementation of conservation or restoration projects and other projects requiring construction. EPA financial assistance programs and activities subject to intergovernmental review that are subject to review under State single point of contact procedures are identified at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-financial-assistance-programs-subject-executive-order-12372-and-section-204. Applicants for programs or activities subject to Intergovernmental Review that are not subject to State single point of contact review must provide directly affected State, areawide, regional, and local entities at least 60 days to review their application following notification by EPA that the application has been selected for funding as provided by 40 CFR 29.8(a) and (c). Regarding pre-application assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the competitive announcement. All proposals or work statements should be consistent with CBPO's Grant Guidance located at https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except it limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through https://www.grants.gov. Competitive announcements (RFAs) for grants/cooperative agreements are announced widely through the internet and Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program Office's RFA mailing distribution list and email database. All EPA RFAs issued by Chesapeake Bay Program Office (CBPO) are announced in the following manner: posted to www.grants.gov, posted on CBPO's website located at www2.epa.gov/grants/grants-your-region-information-specific-epa-region-3, posted on CBP partnership's website located at https://www.chesapeakebay.net/what/grants, listed in Bay Brief newsletters located at www.chesapeakebay.net/news/newsletters, sent to those on CBPO's RFA mailing list, and e-mailed to those on CBPO's RFA e-mail list. RFAs are posted at various times throughout the year. Information pertaining to application requirements for EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program grants programs can be found in the U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office Grant and Cooperative Agreement Guidance at: https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance. Issued Chesapeake Bay Program RFAs will identify specific outcomes that will further the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. The RFA will include detailed instructions for submission of applications. Interested parties who would like to receive a copy of issued Chesapeake Bay Program RFAs and be added to the email and/or mailing database should submit their name, address, phone number, and email address to Autumn Rose at: Rose.Autumn@epa.gov; no phone calls will be accepted. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. For competitive awards under this assistance listing, information regarding deadlines will be specified in the competitive announcement. For non-competitive awards, contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines. From 60 to 90 days. Approximately 90 days after deadline for application submission. Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures. Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Extensions are subject to approval by EPA. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement. Assistance Agreements awarded under the Chesapeake Bay Program include the following: (1) 117(d) Technical Assistance and General Assistance Grants - These grants will be awarded competitively to nonprofit organizations, State and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies to implement the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Agreements; such as activities to support living resource protection and restoration; vital habitat protection and restoration; water quality protection and restoration; sound land use; and stewardship and community engagement. All applicants applying for grants under Section 117(d) must commit to a cost share ranging from 5 to 50 percent of the total project costs, as determined at the sole discretion of EPA. This determination will be stated in Request for Applications (RFAs) or Agency policy. (2) 117(e)(1)(A) Chesapeake Bay Regulatory and Accountability Grants (CBRAP) - As a result of EO 13508, these grants help each watershed state and the District of Columbia to develop new regulations, design TMDL watershed implementation plans, reissue and enforce permits, and provide technical and compliance assistance to local governments and regulated entities. The grants aid the states and DC in implementing and expanding their jurisdiction's regulatory, accountability and enforcement capabilities, in support of reducing nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loads delivered to the Bay to meet the water quality goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. EPA awards these grants non-competitively. Signatory jurisdictions applying for regulatory and accountability program grants under Section 117(e)(1)(A) must identify 50% cost share of total project costs (equal match/dollar for dollar) as required by statute. (3) Section 117(e)(1)(A) Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grants (CBIG) - The Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grants are authorized under Section 117(e)(1)(A) to signatory jurisdictions. Implementation Grants are for the purpose of implementing the management mechanisms established under the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, with particular emphasis on state programs for control and abatement of nonpoint source nutrient and sediment pollution (including atmospheric deposition as a nonpoint source). Specifically, CBIG awards support the jurisdictions' implementation of the management strategies developed for each of the applicable outcomes identified in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. CBIG awards may support the jurisdictions' implementation of their watershed implementation plans (WIPs) and milestone commitments, including addressing EPA's evaluation of the WIPs and milestones, and comparable actions that support nutrient and sediment load reduction goals. If the signatory jurisdictions do not use 117(e)(1)(A) grants for projects consistent with furthering the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals and outcomes, EPA may reallocate, conditionally award, or withhold funds. These grants are awarded non-competitively to any jurisdiction that signed the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Signatory jurisdictions applying for implementation under Section 117(e)(1)(A) must identify 50% cost-share of total project costs (equal match/dollar for dollar). (4) Section 117(e)(1)(B) Monitoring Grants - The monitoring grants are authorized under Section 117(e)(1)(B) for signatory jurisdictions. These grants support the characterization of water and habitat quality and benthic community conditions for the main stem Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries, characterizing nutrient and sediment loadings to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries from the surrounding Chesapeake Bay watershed, assessing changes in nutrient and sediment concentrations in local streams and rivers throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and providing data analysis and interpretation support for water quality and living resources status and trends. These grants are awarded non-competitively to any signatory jurisdiction that signed the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Signatory jurisdictions applying for monitoring grants under Section 117(e)(1)(B) must identify 50% cost share of total project costs (equal match/dollar for dollar). (5) Section 117(g)(2) Small Watershed Grants - The Small Watershed Grants Program was established under Section 117(g)(2), which provides that grants can be awarded under Section 117(d) to local governments and nonprofit organizations in the Chesapeake Bay region working on a local level to protect and improve watersheds, while building citizen-based resource stewardship. The purpose of the grants program is to demonstrate effective techniques and partnership-building to achieve Chesapeake Bay Program objectives at the small watershed scale. The Small Watershed Grants Program was designed to encourage the sharing of innovative ideas among the many organizations wishing to be involved in watershed protection activities. Performance Reports: Monitoring reviews are required to be conducted by the Project Officer with the recipient. These reviews are required either semi-annually or quarterly depending on the terms and conditions of the assistance agreement. 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. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. All applicants applying for technical and general assistance grants under Section 117(d), must commit to a cost share ranging from 5 percent to 50 percent as determined at the sole discretion of EPA. This determination will be stated in Request for Applications or Agency policy. EPA will promptly inform the applicant of the selected cost share requirement. Applicants applying under the Small Watershed Grants Program under Section 117(g)(2) must commit to a cost share of 25 percent of the total project cost. State and local governments receiving assistance under any of the provisions of Section 117 must comply with 2 CFR 200 and 1500. Projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) may receive a waiver of the cost matching requirements, subject to the approval of the EPA Regional Administrator.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Grants are normally funded on a 12-month basis. The length of the grant shall be determined at the time of grant award but generally ranges from 2-6 years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: The method of fund disbursement will be determined at the time of award. Autumn Rose, EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office, 1750 Forest Dr., Suite 130, Annapolis, MD 21401. Telephone: (410) 267-5765; E-mail: Rose.Autumn@epa.gov. Autumn Rose
EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office, 1750 Forest Drive, Suite 130
Annapolis, MD 21401 US
Rose.Autumn@epa.gov
Phone: 410-267-5765 https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-your-region-information-specific-epa-region-3#current 68-0108-0-1-304 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$45,000,000.00; FY 23 est $42,000,000.00; FY 24 est $42,000,000.00; FY 21$56,000,000.00; FY 20$56,000,000.00; FY 19$56,000,000.00; FY 18$54,000,760.00; FY 17$53,652,760.00; FY 16$64,744,800.00; - (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$26,000,000.00; FY 23 est $22,000,000.00; FY 24 est $22,000,000.00; FY 21$0.00; - (IIJA Appropriation) A new assistance listing for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) was created for CWA 117(e) non-competitive grants. Non-competitive and competitive grants were previously awarded under 66.466. EPA has revised 66.466 to separate competitive and non-competitive funding opportunities and will transition non-competitive funding awards to 66.964 (Geographic Programs - Chesapeake Bay Program Implementation, Regulatory/Accountability and Monitoring Grants). Under assistance listing 66.466, the FY23 range is expected to be $50,000 to $13,000,000 per fiscal year; $600,000 per fiscal year average. In addition to the requirements under 2 CFR 200 and 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards) and 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs), the Chesapeake Bay Program assistance agreements must follow the U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office Grant and Cooperative Agreement Guidance which is updated annually. This guidance can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance. Fiscal Year 2016 Grants and cooperative agreements will be awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities interstate agencies, and nonprofit organizations for nonpoint source implementation, water quality monitoring, education and outreach, watershed management, living resources and habitat restoration, and program support. Examples of funded projects include: (1) enhanced storm water monitoring; (2) communications, outreach, and public education efforts; (3) computer modeling; (4) nonpoint source pollution programs; (5) citizens monitoring; (6) Chesapeake Bay point source data management; and (7) regulatory and accountability programs. Grants and cooperative agreements will be awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities interstate agencies, and nonprofit organizations for nonpoint source implementation, water quality monitoring, education and outreach, watershed management, living resources and habitat restoration, and program support. Examples of funded projects include: (1) enhanced storm water monitoring; (2) communications, outreach, and public education efforts; (3) computer modeling; (4) nonpoint source pollution programs; (5) citizens monitoring; (6) Chesapeake Bay point source data management; and (7) regulatory and accountability programs.
Fiscal Year 2017 Cooperative agreements and grants were awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities interstate agencies, and nonprofit organizations for nonpoint source implementation, water quality monitoring, education and outreach, watershed management, living resources and habitat restoration, and program support. Examples of funded projects included: (1) communications, outreach, and public education efforts; (2) enhanced storm water monitoring; (3) citizens monitoring; (4) nonpoint source pollution programs; (5) computer modeling; (6) Chesapeake Bay point source data management; and (7) regulatory and accountability programs.
Fiscal Year 2018 Competitive grants and cooperative agreements funded for the past fiscal year included: (1) support for the Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants program; (2) support for the Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction program; and (3) geospatial analysis support for implementation of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals and outcomes. Non-competitive grants continued to be funded to the signatory jurisdictions for: (1) their regulatory and accountability programs, (2) the control and abatement of nonpoint source nutrient and sediment pollution, (3) implementation of their watershed implementation plans and milestone commitments, and (4) water quality monitoring and assessment
Fiscal Year 2023 Funded projects have helped support the commitments set forth in Chesapeake Executive Council agreements and amendments (The Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983 through the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement) and subsequent directives, adoption statements, endorsements and resolutions to expand and strengthen cooperative efforts to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. The projected assistance agreements for the current fiscal year include: 1) administration of the Small Watershed Grants and Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grant programs; 2) support for application of a state-of-the-science unstructured grid model to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake’s tributaries and embayments; 3) technical analysis and programmatic evaluation support for the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership’s non-federal members; 4) assessment of nutrient limitation on tidal water samples from the surface waters of the mainstem Chesapeake Bay and selected tributaries; and 5) support for the Chesapeake Bay Program’s submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) monitoring program.