Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund

 

The goals of the SF Bay grant program are to improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat (i.e., wetlands) in the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Funded projects will reduce polluted run-off, restore impaired waters and enhance aquatic habitat. Over the next five years the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), aims to broaden the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) reach and focus under the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (SFBWQIF). The BIL specifically expands the SFBWQIF to focus on inequities in the access to Federal funding and implementation of projects and climate resilience in underserved communities. It provides additional funding to advance the Biden Administrations goal of investing in Americas infrastructure and delivering environmental and public health benefits for communities with environmental justice (EJ) concerns.

Active 66.126 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2015 In February 2015, EPA Region 9 received an additional $4,481,000 of San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Funds with the federal FY15 budget. The remaining four projects recommended for funding under the FY14 RFP were awarded 2015 funding as specified in Section II.A of the RFP which indicates that EPA has the right to "&make additional awards&if additional funding becomes available after the original selection decisions." Additional funding became available and the funding decision was made within 6 months of the original 2014 award decision (October 8, 2014) consistent with the RFP provision. 1. Urban Greening Bay Area Applicant: Association of Bay Area Governments/San Francisco Estuary Partnership EPA Funds $1,730,862 + Match $1,740,000 2. Suisun Marsh Water Quality Objectives Attainment: Source Reduction Field Testing Project Applicant: Association of Bay Area Governments/San Francisco Estuary Partnership EPA Funds $843,982 + Match $843,982 3. Hayward Youth-based Trash Capture, Reduction, and Watershed Education Project Applicant: City of Hayward EPA Funds $800,000 + Match $800,000 4. Clean Streams in Southern Sonoma County Applicant: County of Sonoma EPA Funds $991,156 + Match $991,156 In February 2015, EPA Region 9 received an additional $4,481,000 of San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Funds with the federal FY15 budget. The remaining four projects recommended for funding under the FY14 RFP were awarded 2015 funding as specified in Section II.A of the RFP which indicates that EPA has the right to "&make additional awards&if additional funding becomes available after the original selection decisions." Additional funding became available and the funding decision was made within 6 months of the original 2014 award decision (October 8, 2014) consistent with the RFP provision. 1. Urban Greening Bay Area Applicant: Association of Bay Area Governments/San Francisco Estuary Partnership EPA Funds $1,730,862 + Match $1,740,000 2. Suisun Marsh Water Quality Objectives Attainment: Source Reduction Field Testing Project Applicant: Association of Bay Area Governments/San Francisco Estuary Partnership EPA Funds $843,982 + Match $843,982 3. Hayward Youth-based Trash Capture, Reduction, and Watershed Education Project Applicant: City of Hayward EPA Funds $800,000 + Match $800,000 4. Clean Streams in Southern Sonoma County Applicant: County of Sonoma EPA Funds $991,156 + Match $991,156
Fiscal Year 2016 Three new project grants totaling $4.21 million were selected in July 2016 and awarded in early October 2016. The projects are: roadside green infrastructure to reduce PCB and mercury loads ($864,634/City of San Pablo); wetlands restoration on 710 acres at the Mountain View Pond complex of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project ($1,677,683/Ducks Unlimited); and watershed redesign, wetlands restoration and urban greening in the South Bay ($1,667,683/ San Francisco Estuary Partnership).
Fiscal Year 2017 Fourteen eligible proposals requesting over $16 million were received in response to the RFP dated March 24, 2017. Four new project grants totaling $4,331,000 were selected in late June 2017 and were awarded in early October 2017. The four projects are: a restoration and improved flood protection project on Lower Walnut Creek ($1.5 mil/Contra Costa County Flood Control District); a watershed restoration project on Alameda Creek ($1,131,000/ Zone 7 Flood Control Agency); tidal wetlands restoration plan at Eden Landing ($500,000/Ducks Unlimited); and remediation in the subtidal area of India Basin as part of a wetlands restoration and park project ($1.2mil/San Francisco Parks and Recreation Dept) 1) a restoration and improved flood protection project on Lower Walnut Creek ($1.5 mil/Contra Costa County Flood Control District) 2) a watershed restoration project on Alameda Creek ($1,131,000/ Zone 7 Flood Control Agency) 3) tidal wetlands restoration plan at Eden Landing ($500,000/Ducks Unlimited) 4)remediation in the subtidal area of India Basin as part of a wetlands restoration and park project ($1.2mil/San Francisco Parks and Recreation Dept)
Fiscal Year 2018 $822,000 of FY18 funds were awarded to the grantee of Napa County Flood Control District.
Fiscal Year 2019 Eight new projects were awarded using a combination of FY18 and FY19 funds totaling over $10 million. The grants were for the following grantees/projects: American Rivers/Marsh Creek Watershed Restoration, ABAG/SFEP/Transforming Shorelines Project, City of San Pablo/Stormwater Trading Pilot, East Bay Regional Park District/Alder Creek Restoration, County of Napa/Napa River Restoration, Oro Loma Sanitary District/ Nutrient Removal from Microvi Technology, County of San Mateo/Regional Stormwater Project Designs, and the County of Marin/Trash Control Infrastructure Project.
Fiscal Year 2021 Five additional projects were selected for award under the FY20 Request for Applications. These awards were fully funded. For more information on accomplishments under this assistance listing, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sfbay-delta/sf-bay-water-quality-improvement-fund-progress-reports.
Fiscal Year 2022 This grant program, known as the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (SFBWQIF) began in 2008. The SFBWQIF has invested over $71.4 million in 59 grant awards. These projects include over 80 partners who are contributing an additional $191 million to restore wetlands and watersheds and reduce polluted runoff. EPA Region 9 issued two Requests for Applications (RFAs) for available FY22 funding on July 18, 2022. The RFA for the “Base” San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund made $24 million in grants available for projects that improve water quality and restore wetlands in San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. The RFA for the “BIL” SFBWQIF made $4.8 mil in grants available for projects that improve the natural environment and waterbodies in and around underserved communities in one or more of the nine Bay Area counties. For accomplishments associated with this assistance listing, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sfbay-delta/san-francisco-bay-water-quality-improvement-fund.
Fiscal Year 2023 EPA Region 9 issued two Requests for Applications (RFAs) in FY23. The RFA for the “Base” San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund was issued June 5, 2023 with $30 million in estimated funding. The RFA for the “BIL” SFBWQIF was issued April 17, 2023 with $5 million in estimated funding. For accomplishments associated with this assistance listing, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sfbay-delta/san-francisco-bay-water-quality-improvement-fund. Clean Water Act: Section 320, 33 U.S.C. 1330
Clean Water Act: Section 125, 33 US Code 1276a, as amended by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263)
Clean Water Act: Section 320 & Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58 Eligible applicants: State, local government agencies, districts, and councils; regional water pollution control agencies; State coastal zone management agencies; Federally and non-federally recognized tribes; public and private universities and colleges, public or private non-governmental, non-profit institutions are eligible to apply, unless restricted by the authorizing statutes. Non-profit organizations must have documentation of non-profit status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or their state of incorporation, except that non-profits organizations as defined in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 or superseding legislation are ineligible. 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. The outcomes from the SF Bay grant program will ultimately benefit the urban resident and business populations of the nine county San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the State of California in general. Not applicable. 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. 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. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. For competitive awards, the Requests for Applications (RFA) will specify application procedures. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov. The SF Bay grant program has historically required the grants be awarded on a competitive basis (a modification of the Clean Water Section 320 grant requirements). 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, deadlines will be specified in the Request for Applications. From 120 to 180 days. Approximately 180 days from receipt of application, through selection and notification, and development and approval of work plan, to award of funds. 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. None. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to [EPA's] priorities, and availability of funds. Awardees may apply for no-cost time extensions with written justification during the lifetime of the grant. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement. Projects must demonstrate consistency with the San Francisco Estuary Partnership's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). Funded projects from eligible entities will improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat (i.e., wetlands) in San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. 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: Performance monitoring will be required in the form of grantee reports on outputs and outcomes of their funded projects, usually as part of their quarterly or semi-annual progress reports. 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 or noncompliance issues 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. Match amounts vary depending on the award authority for the grant. Grants awarded under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act require a 50% match; grants awarded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provide EPA with the discretion of waiving the statutory non-Federal share for award of these funds; grants awarded under Section 125 of the Clean Water Act which was amended by Public Law 117-263 require a match of 25%.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Assistance agreements generally run for a four-year period with a maximum project period of seven years. Funds are issued electronically through automated funds transfer. None/Not specified. Luisa Valiela, Program Lead
USEPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street (WTR-3-2)
San Francisco, CA 94105 US
valiela.luisa@epa.gov
Phone: (415) 972-3400 https://www.epa.gov/sfbay-delta/san-francisco-bay-water-quality-improvement-fund 68-0108-0-1-000 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$24,000,000.00; FY 23 est $5,400,000.00; FY 24 est $5,400,000.00; FY 21$5,900,000.00; FY 20$5,900,000.00; FY 19$4,387,000.00; FY 18$3,585,000.00; FY 17$4,331,000.00; FY 15$4,481,000.00; FY 16 est $4,423,000.00; - (SFBWQIF Administrative expenses subtracted, grant dollars available estimated at $5.4 million)(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$4,800,000.00; FY 23 est $4,800,000.00; FY 24 est $4,800,000.00; FY 21$0.00; - (IIJA/BIL-SFBWQIF - $24 million total over 5 years, $4.8 million per year from 2022-2026) Since the beginning of the SF Bay grant program in 2008, projects have been funded from a low of $200,000 to a high of $5,000,000. In the last few years, the funding range has shifted to approximately $800,000 to $2million. The average award is now at about $1 million each. 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). Fiscal Year 2015 1. Urban Greening Bay Area Applicant: Association of Bay Area Governments/San Francisco Estuary Partnership EPA Funds $1,730,862 + Match $1,740,000 2. Suisun Marsh Water Quality Objectives Attainment: Source Reduction Field Testing Project Applicant: Association of Bay Area Governments/San Francisco Estuary Partnership EPA Funds $843,982 + Match $843,982 3. Hayward Youth-based Trash Capture, Reduction, and Watershed Education Project Applicant: City of Hayward EPA Funds $800,000 + Match $800,000 4. Clean Streams in Southern Sonoma County Applicant: County of Sonoma EPA Funds $991,156 + Match $991,156 1. Urban Greening Bay Area Applicant: Association of Bay Area Governments/San Francisco Estuary Partnership EPA Funds $1,730,862 + Match $1,740,000 2. Suisun Marsh Water Quality Objectives Attainment: Source Reduction Field Testing Project Applicant: Association of Bay Area Governments/San Francisco Estuary Partnership EPA Funds $843,982 + Match $843,982 3. Hayward Youth-based Trash Capture, Reduction, and Watershed Education Project Applicant: City of Hayward EPA Funds $800,000 + Match $800,000 4. Clean Streams in Southern Sonoma County Applicant: County of Sonoma EPA Funds $991,156 + Match $991,156
Fiscal Year 2016 1) roadside green infrastructure to reduce PCB and mercury loads ($864,634/City of San Pablo) 2) wetlands restoration on 710 acres at the Mountain View Pond complex of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project ($1,677,683/Ducks Unlimited) 3) watershed redesign, wetlands restoration and urban greening in the South Bay ($1,667,683/ San Francisco Estuary Partnership).
Fiscal Year 2017 1) a restoration and improved flood protection project on Lower Walnut Creek ($1.5 mil/Contra Costa County Flood Control District) 2) a watershed restoration project on Alameda Creek ($1,131,000/ Zone 7 Flood Control Agency) 3) tidal wetlands restoration plan at Eden Landing ($500,000/Ducks Unlimited) 4)remediation in the subtidal area of India Basin as part of a wetlands restoration and park project ($1.2mil/San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department)
Fiscal Year 2018 Eight new projects are currently being awarded using a combination of FY18 and FY19 funds. Projects include floodplain and riparian restoration in the Marsh Creek Watershed, planning shoreline resilience in Alameda County, a stormwater trading program to reduce PCBs, Alder Creek restoration, Napa River restoration, reducing nutrients from wastewater effluent, stormwater detention and treatment projects, and installing trash control infrastructure
Fiscal Year 2019 Eight new projects were awarded using a combination of FY18 and FY19 funds. Projects include floodplain and riparian restoration in the Marsh Creek Watershed, planning shoreline resilience in Alameda County, a stormwater trading program to reduce PCBs, Alder Creek restoration, Napa River restoration, reducing nutrients from wastewater effluent, stormwater detention and treatment projects, and installing trash control infrastructure.
Fiscal Year 2021 Ten new projects were awarded using a combination of FY20 and FY21 funds. FY20 projects include urban creek restoration, baylands mapping, expanding green stormwater infrastructure, erosion control along the Petaluma River, and resilient shoreline park and restoration effort in Burlingame. FY21 projects include regional planning for resilient and multi-benefit nature based shorelines, stormwater treatment in Palo Alto, Coyote Hills restoration, subtidal remediation and restoration of a wharf area in Richmond, and a reduction of trash and encampments in San Jose creeks.
Fiscal Year 2022 FY22 SFBWQIF Grant funds were used for projects that build regional shoreline resilience, improve stormwater management, collect water quality data, plan for bringing additional sediment to restoration projects to raise subsided areas, restore tidal wetlands, restore eelgrass and subtidal habitats, and re-connect watersheds and streams to baylands. Additional Bipartisan Infrastructure Law FY22 SFBWQIF funds were given as grants to community-based organizations in underserved communities to build community resilience in shoreline areas, improve stormwater management in underserved communities, provide green jobs training in underserved communities, better understand fish contamination and consumption in underserved communities, and support environmental leadership youth programs in underserved communities.