Geographic Programs - Chesapeake Bay Program Implementation, Regulatory/Accountability and Monitoring Grants

 

The EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) awards annual grants to states, tribes and local governments that are signatories to the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to reduce and prevent pollution and to improve the living resources in the Chesapeake Bay. Grants are awarded for implementation projects, regulatory/accountability, and monitoring, as well as 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. 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. These grants are generally awarded non-competitively through allocation formulas provided in program guidance: 1) Chesapeake Bay Regulatory and Accountability (CBRAP) grants: These grants are awarded to the signatory jurisdictions to aid in implementing and expanding their regulatory, accountability, assessment, compliance, and enforcement capabilities to meet the Water Quality Goal for the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and the Bay TMDL. 2) Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grants (CBIG): These grants are awarded non-competitively to the signatory jurisdictions for implementation of the management strategies and their two-year Logic & Action Plans developed for each of the applicable outcomes identified in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. 3) Monitoring Grants: These grants are awarded to signatory jurisdictions for enhanced monitoring and assessment of nutrient and sediment loads, habitat quality, benthic community conditions, and trends of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. These grants are generally awarded non-competitively through allocation formulas. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2023: Non-competitive grants are projected to continue to be funded for the signatory jurisdictions of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to support: (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, milestone commitments and agriculture best management practices within the most effective basins with an emphasis on underrepresented communities, and (4) water quality monitoring and assessment.

Active 66.964 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Not applicable. Clean Water Act, Section 117(e), 33 U.S.C. 1267
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58 State, tribal, and local governments that are signatories of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Tribes must be federally recognized. Non-profits and for-profit organizations are not eligible. Under section 117(e)(1)(A) and 117(e)(1)(B), respectively, funds are available for implementation, regulatory and accountability, and monitoring grants to signatory jurisdictions. The general public including recreational and commercial users of the natural resources in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Signatory to the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and 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). 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov. Instructions for application submission is provided in the annual program guidance located at: https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance. The procedures for awarding assistance agreements will be provided in the CBPO Grant Guidance located at: https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 60 to 90 days. Approximately 90 days after deadline for application submission. Disputes will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Extensions are subject to EPA approval. Funding criteria is provided in annual program guidance located at: https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance Assistance Agreements awarded under the Chesapeake Bay Program include the following: (1) Section 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. (2) 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). (3) Section 117(e)(1)(A) Infrastructure Most Effective Basins (MEB) Grants – The MEB grants are authorized under Section 117(e)(1)(A) for signatory jurisdictions. These grants support implementation of projects in the most effective basins for nitrogen reduction. The direction of these funds for FY 2023 will be based on additional loads the jurisdictions must account for and provide implementation to mitigate due to 2025 climate change, as well as increases in nitrogen loading based on the bi-annual update of the watershed model. Additionally, jurisdictions may utilize funds to support projects that provide direct benefits to disadvantaged communities. These grants are awarded non-competitively to any jurisdiction that signed the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. (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. 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. 50%. Under Section 117(e)(1)(A) and 117(e)(1)(B), respectively, signatory jurisdictions applying for regulatory and accountability, implementation, and monitoring grants must identify 50 percent cost share of total project costs (equal match/dollar for dollar). State, tribal and local governments receiving assistance under any of the provisions of Section 117(e) 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 funded incrementally or through supplemental funding generally on a 3-6-year basis. Funds must be expended during the period of performance for the grant. 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 USA
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$25,000,000.00; FY 23 est $30,000,000.00; FY 24 est $30,000,000.00; FY 21$8,000,000.00; FY 20$0.00; - (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$17,000,000.00; FY 23 est $21,000,000.00; FY 24 est $21,000,000.00; FY 21$0.00; - (IIJA Appropriation) This assistance listing was implemented beginning in Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). EPA has revised assistance listing 66.466 ( Geographic Programs - Chesapeake Bay Program) to separate competitive and non-competitive funding opportunities. Non-competitive grants were previously awarded under 66.466 and will be transitioned to this listing at the start of a new award. Under this assistance listing, the FY23 range is expected to be $250k - $5M with an average award of $1.8M. 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 2023 Non-competitive grants will be awarded to the signatory jurisdictions of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to support: (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, milestone commitments and agriculture best management practices within the most effective basins with an emphasis on underrepresented communities, and (4) water quality monitoring and assessment.