Geographic Programs – Long Island Sound Program

 

The Long Island Sound Program: (1) implements the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP); and (2) assists the states of Connecticut and New York and other public or nonprofit entities in implementation, research, planning, enforcement, and citizen involvement and education related to reducing pollution and improving the quality of the environment to sustain living resources in the Long Island Sound. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Long Island Sound will receive $21 million for FY 2022 through CWA 119 and $909,800/year through CWA 320. These allocations are expected to continue for five years, through 2026. The LISS goal for IIJA funding is to significantly improve Long Island Sounds environmental health, climate resilience, and economic vitality in an equitable manner in communities across the Sounds watershed.

Active 66.437 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 EPA grantees for the Long Island Sound Futures Fund grant program and the Long Island Sound Scientific Research grant program hold competitions throughout the year based on available funds and Long Island Sound Study priorities. The number of applications and the number of awards made is dependent on the announcement issued. The announcement includes the number of anticipated awards. FY 16 data is not yet available. The 5-year rolling average for the maximum summer time area of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) in Long Island Sound was estimated at 138 square miles in 2016. This represents a 33.7 percent decline in the five-year rolling average compared to the pre-2000 average (i.e., before the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was put in place by EPA and the states. This result exceeds the EPA Strategic Plan targets by 15%. The 106 New York and Connecticut wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharging to Long Island Sound have reduced nitrogen by more than 44,000,000 pounds annually compared to baseline levels established in the 2000 TMDL. In 2016 reported discharges were below the final TMDL targets, attaining 110% of the EPA Strategic Plan goal. In FY 16, partners restored or protected 532 acres of coastal habitat compared to the target of 96 acres in the Strategic Plan. The partners reopened 50 river miles to fish passage compared to the target of 70 miles in the Strategic Plan.
Fiscal Year 2017 Continued Acute Hypoxia Standard Reductions: The 5-year rolling average for the maximum summertime area of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) in Long Island Sound was estimated at 95 square miles in 2017. This represents a 54 percent decline in the five-year rolling average compared to the pre-2000 average of 205 square miles (i.e., before the Total Maximum Daily Load was put in place by EPA and the states). The area of hypoxia in 2017 was 70 square miles. The hypoxia areas in 2015 and 2017 are the second and third smallest recorded in the past 31 years of monitoring. The severity of hypoxia has also declined, with no area in the open waters below 1 mg/l dissolved oxygen in seven of the past eight years. Continued Point Source Nitrogen Reduction: The 106 New York and Connecticut wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharging to Long Island Sound have reduced nitrogen by 45 million pounds annually compared to baseline levels established in the 2000 TMDL. In 2017 reported discharges were below the final TMDL targets. In 2017, progress continued, with 3,600 fewer pounds of nitrogen discharged every day compared to 2016. Habitat Restoration/Protection: Partners restored or protected 532 acres of coastal habitat in 2016 compared to the target of 96 acres in the Strategic Plan. The partners reopened 50 river miles to fish passage.
Fiscal Year 2018 Continued Hypoxia Reductions: The 5-year rolling average for the maximum summertime area of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) in Long Island Sound was 89 square miles in 2018. This represents a 57 percent decline in the five-year rolling average compared to the pre-2000 average of 205 square miles (i.e., before the Total Maximum Daily Load was put in place by EPA and the states). The maximum area of hypoxia in 2018 was 52 square miles. The hypoxia areas in 2015, 2018, and 2017 are the second, third and fourth smallest recorded in the past 32 years of monitoring. Continued Point Source Nitrogen Reductions: By the end of calendar year 2017, the 106 New York and Connecticut wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharging to Long Island Sound have reduced nitrogen by 45 million pounds annually compared to baseline levels established in the 2000 TMDL. In 2017 reported discharges were below the final TMDL targets. In 2017, wastewater discharged 3,600 fewer pounds of nitrogen every day compared to 2016. 2018 Habitat Restoration and Protection: Long Island Sound Study partners completed 12 restoration projects for a total of 55.4 acres. The program has now achieved its goal to restore 350 acres of habitat by 2020 from the 2014 baseline, and has achieved 35.5 percent of the goal to restore 1000 acres of coastal habitat by 2035 from the 2014 baseline. The partners also completed nine fish passage projects by removing dams or building fishways that reopened 38.6 river miles for fish access. The program has now achieved 54.6 percent of the goal to reopen 200 river miles to fish passage by 2035 from the 2014 baseline. Study partners protected 487.4 acres of open space through acquisitions or easements at 15 sites. The program has now achieved 41.3 percent of the goal to protect 7,000 acres of land by 2035 from the 2014 baseline.
Fiscal Year 2019 For information about accomplishments under previously funded projects, please visit: https://longislandsoundstudy.net/research-monitoring/liss-research-grant-program/
Fiscal Year 2020 For accomplishments associated with this assistance listing, please visit: https://longislandsoundstudy.net/category/media-center/annual-and-biennial-reports/ AND https://longislandsoundstudy.net/
Fiscal Year 2021 In 2000, Connecticut and New York developed, and EPA approved, a plan to reduce by almost 60 percent the sources of enriched nitrogen from Connecticut and New York, as well as reducing upstream sources. The successful actions to reduce nitrogen pollution in Long Island Sound have yielded dramatic results. Through infrastructure investments of more than $2.5 billion dollars to improve wastewater treatment, the total nitrogen load to Long Island Sound is now more than 47 million pounds less than the annual discharge in early 1991. The five-year rolling average for the maximum summertime area of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) in Long Island Sound was 94 square miles in 2020. This represents a 54 percent decline compared to the pre-2000 average of 205 square miles (i.e., before the Total Maximum Daily Load for nitrogen was put in place by EPA and the states). See Year in Review 2020 - Long Island Sound Study for more information.
Fiscal Year 2022 Program investments have allowed the LISS partners to better characterize the health of the Long Island Sound watershed and waterbody. Water quality monitoring has expanded from the open sound to embayments (bays and harbors). Researchers have been able to document water quality improvements due to decreased nitrogen loading from wastewater treatment facilities despite climate change making it harder to maintain water quality standards. The program continues to support local wildlife and fish by investing in the protection of open space habitat; this led to 1,007 habitat acres preserved from 2020 to 2021. Public involvement and education activities, such as the International Coastal Cleanup events, enhance the sustainability and resiliency of the watershed by reducing the amount of marine debris that flows into the waterbody. These activities collectively contribute to the overall health of Long Island Sound. Clean Water Act, Section 119(d)
Clean Water Act, Section 320
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58 State, interstate, local governments, Tribal governments (must be either federally-recognized or state-recognized), regional water pollution control agencies, and other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations are eligible. Private profit-making entities, and individuals, are not eligible. Direct beneficiaries of this program include general population in the Long Island Sound watershed and its surrounding areas, schools, universities and other institutions of learning, environmental managers and policy makers and the participants in the Long Island Sound Study with a focus on disadvantaged communities. Nonprofit private agencies, institutions and organizations may be required to provide documentation of their organizational status upon application. 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. 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-demonstration. 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). The EPA Long Island Sound Office (LISO) issues annual guidance on the form and content of pre-applications. All pre-applications or work statements should be consistent with LISO's guidance. Consultation or technical assistance may be available upon request from the LISO to aid applicants in preparing their pre-application. 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. The EPA LISO annually releases a request for base program pre-applications in the Fall. Pre-applications are due to the LISO generally by early January or as specified in guidance. The LISS management committee reviews pre-applications in late January to identify areas of concern and to request additional information or clarification on applications through the LISO. The LISO coordinates review of pre-applications among the several LISS technical work groups and teams to ensure consistency with program goals and objectives as outlined in the CCMP and other priorities as directed by the management committee. If necessary, applicants are contacted by the LISO to provide the additional information or clarification. The LISO coordinates review of the revised applications and develops funding recommendations for the management committee's consideration in April. The management committee makes final recommendations on funding preproposals at that time, or as otherwise specified. Applicants are advised of the status of their request by the LISO within 30 days of the management committee's final decisions. Successful applicants are required to submit formal grant applications using the standard federal grant application forms. The deadline for submitting applications may vary by EPA Region, but is generally June 1st. Applications not received by the deadline are not further considered for funding. Unallocated funds are carried over or otherwise used to further the purposes of this program at the discretion of the management committee. Each federal assistance application and final work plan will be evaluated by the LISO to determine the adequacy of the application under LISS priorities and objectives, including technical merit and relevance of the project to the implementation of the CCMP and for consistency with the pre-application. Each federal assistance award application will also be subject to an administrative review by the EPA Region 2 grants management office. Funds are awarded by the EPA Region 2 Administrator as appropriate. Grantees will receive a final assistance award package from the EPA Regional 2 grants management office. An assistance agreement recipient demonstrates its commitment to carry out the award by either: 1) drawing down funds within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date; or, 2) not filing a notice of disagreement with the award terms and conditions within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date. Recipients are not required to sign and return a copy of the award document. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Notification of action on pre-applications is provided approximately 120 days after the deadline for pre-application submission. Final grantees are notified of approval approximately 90 days after the submission of the Application for Federal Assistance. Copies of these procedures may also be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures. Disputes will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Extensions are subject to EPA approval. EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant. Funds may be used to implement elements of the LISS CCMP. Special emphasis shall be given to CCMP implementation projects, research and planning, enforcement, and citizen involvement and education projects. The Administrator may give priority to a distressed community as defined in 33 USC 1269(e)(1). Assistance Listing 66.456 (National Estuary Program) also authorizes funding to assist in the implementation of the LISS CCMP. As a result an assistance agreement under assistance listing 66.437 to support implementation of the LISS CCMP can also use funds under assistance listing 66.456. 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: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial). Performance Reports: Reporting requirements and frequency shall be determined at the time of grant award. 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. LISS grants and cooperative agreements are subject to grant regulations 2 CFR 200 and 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs); 40 CFR Part 35 SubPart P (Financial Assistance for the National Estuary Program); annual EPA Office of Water National Estuaries Program guidance; and the LISS CCMP. Applicable EPA Policies and Guidance are available at the following URL: https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-policies-and-guidance-grants. EPA's repository of General Terms and Conditions is available at the following URL: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-terms-and-conditions. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. Federal costs for citizen involvement and education grants shall not exceed 95 percent of the costs of such work; for all other grants and cooperative agreements, federal costs shall not exceed 60 percent of the research, studies, or work. EPA has determined that annual matching requirements for LISS grant awards may be met in the aggregate for all funds awarded as specified in the approved annual work plan. Federal costs for citizen involvement and education grants shall not exceed 95 percent of the costs of such work; for all other grants and cooperative agreements, federal costs shall not exceed 60 percent of the research, studies, or work. Public Law 106-457, which amended Section 320(g) of the Clean Water Act, limits the amount of grants to 75 percent of the aggregate Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) development project costs for each estuary program and to 50 percent of the aggregate CCMP implementation project costs for each estuary program, and requires that the nonfederal share be provided from nonfederal sources. The nonfederal share can be contributed by any of the participants in the management conference. For awards containing both funds (Long Island Sound & National Estuary), the aggregate cost share must be calculated. EPA has determined that annual matching requirements for LISS grant awards shall be met in the aggregate for all funds awarded as specified in the approved annual work plan. As authorized by Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, EPA may waive or reduce the cost share required by Section 119(d) and Section 320(g)(3) of the Clean Water Act for LISS assistance agreements funded with IIJA appropriations.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. The performance period for Long Island Sound assistance agreements are generally one to five years, depending on the type of agreements. Generally, the performance period for CWA Section 119 awards are from one to two years and the performance period for IIJA awards are from one to five years. Awards may be made for longer periods upon justification and with the approval of EPA. The method of fund disbursement will be determined at the time of award. None/Not specified. Mark Tedesco
USEPA Long Island Sound Office, Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, Suite 9-11
Stamford, CT 06904 US
tedesco.mark@epa.gov
Phone: 203-977-1542

Nicole Tachiki
USEPA Long Island Sound Office, Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, Suite 9-11
Stamford, CT 06904 USA
tachiki.nicole@epa.gov
Phone: 203-977-1545 https://longislandsoundstudy.net 68-0108-0-1-000 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$31,400,000.00; FY 23 est $40,000,000.00; FY 24 est $40,000,000.00; FY 21$31,400,000.00; FY 20$21,000,000.00; FY 19$14,600,000.00; FY 18$12,000,000.00; FY 17$8,000,000.00; FY 16$3,893,000.00; - (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$21,000,000.00; FY 23 est $21,000,000.00; FY 24 est $21,000,000.00; FY 21$0.00; - IIJA Funding: FY22 = $21,000,000; FY23 = $21,000,000 Range: $20,000 to $10,600,000/fiscal year; Average: $1,997,033/fiscal year. In FY2023, EPA will issue seven new assistance awards and amend six current assistance awards with these funds. Some of these awards will provide opportunities for communities to receive subawards. LISS grants and cooperative agreements are subject to grant regulations 2 CFR 200 and 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs); 40 CFR Part 35 SubPart P (Financial Assistance for the National Estuary Program); annual EPA Office of Water National Estuaries Program guidance; and the LISS CCMP. Applicable EPA Policies and Guidance are available at the following URL: https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-policies-and-guidance-grants. EPA's repository of General Terms and Conditions is available at the following URL: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-terms-and-conditions. Fiscal Year 2016 Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) Hypoxia: sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) Habitat Restoration: restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) Water Quality Monitoring: collect water quality samples at monitoring stations in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) Communication/Outreach: Provide communication, outreach and education components of the LISS partnership; (5) Modeling: develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked airshed-watershed-estuarine hydrodynamic-water quality-living resources models to support the LISS for understanding the nutrient and sediment affects in the Long Island Sound estuary system and (6) Research: investigate causes and effects of eutrophication on water quality and living marine resources; study factors affecting abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation, food web dynamics, and tidal wetland loss. Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) Hypoxia: sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) Habitat Restoration: restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) Water Quality Monitoring: collect water quality samples at monitoring stations in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) Communication/Outreach: Provide communication, outreach and education components of the LISS partnership; Research: investigate causes and effects of eutrophication on water quality and living marine resources; study factors affecting abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation, food web dynamics, and tidal wetland loss. and living marine resources; study factors affecting abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation, food web dynamics, and tidal wetland loss.
Fiscal Year 2018 Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) monitor water quality in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) conduct communication outreach and education on Long Island Sound issues and programs; (5) develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked hydrodynamic-water quality-living resources models to improve nutrient management; and (6) research that will produce and integrate information to enhance our understanding of Long Island Sound and improve management of water quality and living resources. http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2018/08/2018-work-plan/.
Fiscal Year 2019 Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) monitor water quality in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) conduct communication outreach and education on Long Island Sound issues and programs; (5) develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked hydrodynamic-water quality-living resources models to improve nutrient management; and (6) research that will produce and integrate information to enhance our understanding of Long Island Sound and improve management of water quality and living resources. http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2019/??/2019-work-plan/.
Fiscal Year 2021 For examples of the types of projects funded under this assistance listing, please visit: https://longislandsoundstudy.net/2021/08/2021-work-plan/.
Fiscal Year 2023 Program funds are available to characterize the health of the Long Island Sound watershed and waterbody, including monitoring, research, and modeling. Funds are also used to support projects that directly improve the water and habitat quality through protection of open space, habitat restoration, pollution reduction from wastewater and stormwater sources. Also supported are public involvement and education activities, such as coastal cleanup events, environmental education, activities to increase the sustainability and resiliency of the watershed, and projects that support overburdened and underserved communities address environmental concerns related to Long Island Sound. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, funds will target improving water quality, restoring and protecting habitats, and increasing sustainability and resiliency of the Long Island Sound and watershed communities, while advancing environmental justice goals across program activities.