WPC$8 v :AaC9/ĎRr_ F¬w=#Tz<^# ԒfTʍș./ljӜiu5髳3)bX{q%(+̉hO [Dd+dkٯWgOFDqu2ViJ@q6Z4foi2N@Yv?7ZjVK%x HdFW<5~;tZI 퐟 `h5(bnce%7:|E1Q<(SK5$]$ m1qN(*] .m I2c%] N?vNbDkeCA 3յcvWaF-|KP6ͭqGwJnTM)(vE>n,r&,J.? 11+mc>+7j4HHtzp^  0U, 0 0j 0P 03 0 0 0 0 0Cu 0 0 0c 04 0 0 0 0Z 0B 0^ 04 0 0 0 0n 05 0 0@ 0 0 0 0m 08 0! 0! 0" 0@F# 0# 0Z$ 0+% 0% 0& 0' 0Q( 0) 0>) 0* 0* 0+ 0{, 0D- 0 . 0. 0/U>H0U,0f0a0 B0 B0 B1 B1 B<1 BY1 Bv1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B2 B$2 BA2 B^2 B{2 B2 B2 B2 B2 B 3 B)3 BF3 Bc3 B3 B3 B3 B3 B3 B4 B.4 BK4 Bh4 B4 B4 B4 B4 B4 B5 B35P5 0P`5#5UNq7 %7M7(7N7w747 8 m 8!0s *+ (_5323  ..*G+M (_52   /%` ` hp x /23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *D+M (_51   ," hp x ,23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *A+M (_50  ` ) hp x )23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *>+M (_49   &hhp x &23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *;+M (_48   #p x #23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *8+M (_47  h  p x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *5+M (_46   pp x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  *2+M (_45    x 23  ..  5+ ` hp x 5  * (_4423  Ԁ*GM (_43   /%` ` hp x /23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *DM (_42   ," hp x ,23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *AM (_41  ` ) hp x )23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *>M (_40   &hhp x &23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *;M (_39   #p x #23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *8M (_38  h  p x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *5M (_37   pp x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  *2M (_36    x 23  Ԁ  5+ ` hp x 5  * (_3523  *GM (_34   /%` ` hp x /23   5+ ` hp x 5  *DM (_33   ," hp x ,23   5+ ` hp x 5  *AM (_32  ` ) hp x )23   5+ ` hp x 5  *>M (_31   &hhp x &23   5+ ` hp x 5  *;M (_30   #p x #23   5+ ` hp x 5  *8M (_29  h  p x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  *5M (_28   pp x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  *2M (_27    x 23   5+ ` hp x 5  * (_26    *RX(_25     /%` ` hp x /   5+ ` hp x 5  *OX(_24     ," hp x ,   5+ ` hp x 5  *LX(_23  `   ) hp x )   5+ ` hp x 5  *IX(_22     &hhp x &   5+ ` hp x 5  *FX(_21     #p x #   5+ ` hp x 5  *CX(_20  h    p x    5+ ` hp x 5  *@X(_19     pp x    5+ ` hp x 5  *=X(_18      x    5+ ` hp x 5  * (_17    *RX(_16     /%` ` hp x /   5+ ` hp x 5  *OX(_15     ," hp x ,   5+ ` hp x 5  *LX(_14  `   ) hp x )   5+ ` hp x 5  *IX(_13     &hhp x &   5+ ` hp x 5  *FX(_12     #p x #   5+ ` hp x 5  *CX(_11  h    p x    5+ ` hp x 5  *@X(_10     pp x    5+ ` hp x 5  (=X&_9      x    5+ ` hp x 5  ( &_8    (RX&_7     /%` ` hp x /   5+ ` hp x 5  (OX&_6     ," hp x ,   5+ ` hp x 5  (LX&_5  `   ) hp x )   5+ ` hp x 5  (IX&_4     &hhp x &   5+ ` hp x 5  (FX&_3     #p x #   5+ ` hp x 5  (CX&_2  h    p x    5+ ` hp x 5  (@X&_1     pp x    5+ ` hp x 5  &=X$_      x    5+ ` hp x 5  \  `&Times New Roman(\ Y`SymbolTable_AK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK KdK Kd[ [d3|P(('S$..    \\RTPORDFP1\RTO-B340A-20(9 Z6Times New Roman RegulargXvS0:i+00 U e'S!..     _      8X*XXgX  8oX8X*REQUESTFORINITIALPROPOSAL(_RFIP_)FORAWARDOFACOOPERATIVE  AGREEMENT o OVERVIEWINFORMATION =   X9%4 4 <DLX9 FundingAgency: U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency k  X<( 4 <DL44X< 4 Laboratory: NationalHealthandEnvironmentalEffectsResearchLaboratory * z  4 Division: AtlanticEcologyDivision(_AED_)    X9%4 4 <DLX9 FundingOpportunityTitle:  & v   X<( 4 <DL44X< 4 EPANewEnglandRegionalAppliedResearchEffortProgram( RARE ):NitrogenAttenuation  5  ResearchintheConnecticutRiverWatershed     X9%4 4 <DLX9 AnnouncementType: InitialAnnouncement "r   X<( 4 <DL44X< X9%4 4 <DLX9 FundingOpportunityNumber:     X<( 4 <DL44X< 4  EPA/ORD/NHEERL/_AED_/0402 _   X9%4 4 <DLX9 CatalogofFederalDomesticAssistance(_CFDA_)Number:  -  X6" <DL44X6_CFDA_Ԁnumberis66.510:Surveys,studies,investigationsandspecialpurposegrants  withintheOfficeofResearchandDevelopment [  <( 4 <DL  X< 4 ActionDates:  (_RFIP_Ԁissued:June4,2004 )  4   (Finaldatetosubmittechnicalquestions:July6,2004)   4   (Proposalsdue:August3,2004) W  X ExecutiveSummary:  %  XOver40%oftheestuariesintheU.S.aredegradedfrom_eutrophication_,withparticularlysevereproblems S inNewEngland._Eutrophication_ԀinLongIslandSound(LIS)hasleadtochronichypoxiaandresultedin b theviolationofwaterqualitystandardsfordissolvedoxygen;theprimarypollutantcausingthelow ! dissolvedoxygenconditioninLISisnitrogen.In2001,EPAapprovedtheLISTotalMaximumDailyLoad   (_TMDL_)fordissolvedoxygen,whichspecifiesthemaximumamountofnitrogenthatcanbedischargedto O! LISwithoutviolatingwaterqualitystandardsfordissolvedoxygen.TheConnecticutRiverdeliversan ^" estimated12,542.9tonsoftotalnitrogentoLIS,withterrestrialsourcesoriginatinginConnecticut, # Massachusetts,Vermont,andNewHampshire.Inordertodevelopscientificallydefensiblenitrogenload $ allocationsfortheConnecticutRiverWatershed,morepreciserateestimatesfornitrogentransportandloss K % areneeded.Furthermore,understandingthetransportandlossmechanismsofnitrogenisvitaltothe  !Z& developmentofeffectivereductionstrategiesforsourcesresponsiblefornitrogendeliverytoLIS.Thegoal !' ofthisresearchprojectistoimprovetheunderstandingofnitrogencyclingintheConnecticutRiver "( Watershedanddeterminewherenitrogenattenuationisoccurringandbyhowmuch.Thisresearchwill G#) alsohelpEPAandStateswiththegeneraldevelopmentof_TMDLs_Ԁfornitrogen,aswellashelpStatesadopt $V* moreappropriatenutrientcriteriaonwhich_TMDLs_Ԁarebased. $ +  X AnticipatedFunding: Nottoexceedapproximately$100,000peryearrenewableforoneyear. C&!-  X X9%4 4 <DLX9 EligibleApplicants: States,territoriesandpossessions,andTribalnationsoftheUnitedStates, '#/ includingtheDistrictofColumbia,publicandprivateuniversitiesandcolleges,hospitals, (#0 laboratories,Stateandlocalgovernmentdepartments,otherpublicorprivatenonprofitinstitutions, ?)$1 andinsomecases,individualswhohavedemonstratedunusuallyhighscientificability. )N%2  X<( 4 <DL44X< X9%4 4 <DLX9PointofContact: JamesS._Latimer_ |+&4 Telephone:4017823167 ;,'5 Telefax:4017823030 ,J(6 Email:latimer.jim@epa.gov - )7 _ X<( 4 <DL44X< FULLTEXTOFANNOUNCEMENT    I. 4 FundingOpportunityDescription .~   Q  <(r r4 <DLX< TitleofAssistanceOpportunity:    ?( 4 <DLrr4X?EPANewEnglandRegionalAppliedResearchEffortProgram(RARE):NitrogenAttenuationResearchin  theConnecticutRiverWatershed    Q  4 Background:    Nitrogeninputtoterrestrialsystemsdoubledinthelatterhalfofthe20thcentury.Inconsequence,nitrogen $ t  flowshaveincreasedmarkedlyinmanyrivers,resultingingreaterfluxofnitrogentocoastalwaters,  3  (referencedincludedattheendofthedocument).Increasednitrogenloadinghascausedeutrophication    (overgrowth/decayofaquaticplants,resultingindepletionofdissolvedoxygen)inover40%ofthe a  estuariesintheU.S.,withparticularlysevereproblemsinNewEngland.EutrophicationinLongIsland  p  Sound(LIS)hasresultedinchronichypoxiaandtheviolationofwaterqualitystandardsfordissolved /  oxygen,withoxygenlevelsoftenfallingbelow1or2mg/L.Nitrogenhasbeenshowntobetheprimary   pollutantcausinghypoxiainLIS. ]  Section303(d)ofthefederalCleanWaterAct(CWA)requiresStatestoidentifyandlistwatersthatdonot + meetapplicablewaterqualitystandards.TheCWAalsorequiresthatTMDLsbedevelopedforeach  pollutantofanimpairedwaterbody.ATMDLisacalculationofthemaximumamountofapollutantthata Y waterbodycanreceiveandstillmeetwaterqualitystandards,andanallocationofthatamounttothe h pollutant'ssources.TMDLsmustconsiderallsourcesofpollutants,whetherpointornonpoint;the ' calculationmustalsoincludeamarginofsafety,whichreflectsscientificuncertainty,aswellasaccounts  fortheeffectsofseasonalvariation.TMDLsalsoidentifypollutantreductiongoalsnecessarytoimprove U impairedwaters.In2001,EPAapprovedtheLISTMDLfordissolvedoxygen,whichwasjointly d submittedbyConnecticutandNewYork.TheTMDLspecifiesthemaximumamountofnitrogenthatcan # bedischargedtoLISwithoutviolatingwaterqualitystandardsfordissolvedoxygen.  ReducingtributaryloadingfromtheConnecticutRiverisamongtherequirednitrogenreductiongoals ` specifiedintheLISTMDL.TheConnecticutRiveristhelongestriverinNewEngland,flowingsouth  fromtheConnecticutLakesinnorthernNewHampshire,alongtheborderbetweenNewHamphireand  Vermont,throughcentralMassachusettsandConnecticut,anddrainingintoLongIslandSound.Ithasa M  totallengthof405milesandafourStatedrainagebasinextendingover11,250mi.TheConnecticutRiver  \! deliversanestimated12,542.9tonsoftotalnitrogentoLIS,withterrestrialsourcesoriginatingin " Connecticut,Massachusetts,Vermont,andNewHampshire.Throughacooperativeeffort,EPA,theNew # EnglandInterstateWaterPollutionControlCommission(NEIWPCC),Connecticut,Massachusetts,New I $ Hampshire,andVermontaredevelopingaTotalNitrogenReductionStrategy(andimplementationplan) !X% fortheUpperConnecticutRiverBasintocomplywiththeLISTMDLandmeetwaterqualitygoalsforLIS. !& Inordertodevelopscientificallydefensiblenitrogenloadallocations(thatupstreamStateswillbuyinto)for E#( largemultiStatewatersheds,suchastheConnecticutRiverWatershed,morepreciserateestimatesfor $T) nitrogenattenuation(instreamloss)areneeded.Inresponsetothisresearchneed,asmalltechnical $ * advisorycommittee(theCommittee)wasestablishedtodevelopandimplementanitrogenattenuationstudy % + intheConnecticutRiverWatershed.TheCommitteeiscurrentlyconductingadetailedliteraturereview A&!, andisintheprocessofdevelopingseveralwhitepapers.Thewhitepaperswillsummarizekeyfindings 'P"- fromtheliterature,includingtherangeofpreliminaryestimatesfornitrogenlossratesinlargewatersheds '#. andthevariousresearchmethodspreviouslyusedtodeterminenitrogenloss.Informationand ~(#/ recommendationsfromtheCommitteewillguidetheestablishmentofthedetailedmonitoringand =)$0 modelingstudydesign.TheCommitteeisalsoorganizingatechnicalworkshoponnitrogenattenuation, )L%1 wheretechnicalexpertswillbeinvitedtooffertheirknowledgeandexperienceontheresearchtopic * &2 (nitrogenattenuation),aswellasprovideinputontheproposedstudydesignforthenitrogenattenuation z+&3 studyintheConnecticutRiverWatershed.Followingtheworkshop,theCommitteewillidentifythemost 9,'4 suitableresearchapproachandfinalizethedetailsofthestudydesign. ,H(5  -)6 Thegoalofthisresearchistoimprovetheunderstandingofnitrogencycling(transportandloss)and  developmorepreciseratesfornitrogenattenuation(instreamloss)intheConnecticutRiverWatershed. o Thiswillbeaccomplishedusingoneorbothofthefollowingmethods:1)Massbalancecalculationsand .~ nitrogentransformationprocesses;and/or2)Isotopetracingofnitrogen.Thisproposedresearchwill = improveunderstandingofnitrogenimpactsinlargewatersheds,whichisahighpriorityforbothEPAand  States,andallowforthedevelopmentofmoreeffectivemanagementstrategiesfornutrientrelated k impairmentsinNewEnglandwaterbodies.Specifically,thisresearchwillbeofsignificantusefor * z calculatingTMDLsfornitrogenanddevelopingappropriatenutrientcriteria(foradoptionintoStatewater  9 qualitystandards)onwhichTMDLsarebased.Theadditionalincreasesinnitrogensourcesanticipatedto   occurduringtheearly21stcentury(onaccountofpopulationgrowthandeconomicdevelopment)will g   presentsignificantchallengestoaddressingnutrientimpairedwatersinthefuture,andunderscoretheneed & v  forresearchonnitrogenattenuation.Technicalreferencedocumentsrelatedtothisresearcharelistedatthe  5  endofthisdocument.     Thebenefitsandoutcomesexpectedfromthisproposedresearchare: "r   ?+ 4 <DLX?1.  MorepreciseestimatesfornitrogenattenuationintheConnecticutRiverWatershed,whichwillassist   intherefinementofnitrogenloadallocationsintheLISTMDL,includingtheallocationofnitrogenloading _  intheConnecticutRiverWatershedtotheStatesofMassachusetts,Vermont,andNewHampshire.This n  informationwillalsohelpwiththedevelopmentofnitrogenreductionstrategies(e.g.,pointsourcetrading, - wastewatertreatmentplantupgrades,etc.)andtheselectionofsourcesinwhichtotargetreductionefforts.  B( 4 <DL, XB?+ 4 <DLX?2.  MuchneededdatatoassistEPAandtheStatesinthedevelopmentofnutrientcriteriafornitrogenfor j riversandstreams,includinginformationonthecumulativeimpactsofnitrogenonwaterqualityinlarge ) watersheds,whereconsiderationofdownstreameffectsisofconcern.  B( 4 <DL, XB?+ 4 <DLX?3.  Improvedunderstandingofnitrogencyclinginlarge(andsmall)riversystems,whichwillfurtherthe f developmentofscientificallydefensiblenitrogenloadallocationsforimpairedwaters(asrequiredby % Section303(d)offederalCleanWater).TheresultsofthisresearchstudywillhelpreduceTMDL  uncertaintyandlowertheriskofinadequatelycharacterizingthemarginofsafety. S B( 4 <DL, XB X FundingPriorities/Focus: !  X ThepurposeofthisRFIPistosolicitproposalsforacooperativeagreementtocreateapartnershipwiththe O! EPAAtlanticEcologyDivision(AED)inNarragansett,RItosupportandprovidetechnicalassistancefor ^" thefollowingtasks: #  Task1.StudyDesignandProjectSupport InformationandrecommendationsfromtheCommitteewill K % guidetheenhancementofthedetailedmonitoringandmodelingstudydesign.Thefinalresearchapproach  !Z& willinvolveone(oracombination)ofthefollowingtwomethods: !' ?+ 4 <DLX?1)  MassBalanceCalculationsandNitrogenTransformationProcesses:Anitrogenmassbalancewillbe G#) conductedforselectreachesintheConnecticutRiverandtributaries.Siteswillbechosentorepresent(to $V* theextentpossible)therangeofdifferentwatershedcharacteristicsandstreamconditionstypicalofthe $ + ConnecticutRiverWatershed,includingdrainagearea,reachlength,latitude,channeldepth,channelwidth, % , streamvelocity,streamgradient,treecover,streambedsediment,surroundinglanduse,andpointsource C&!- inputs. 'R". B( 4 <DL, XB ,<( 4 <DLX<Bothawaterandchemical(nitrogen)balancewillbecalculatedbyquantifyinginflowsandoutflowsto (#0 theselectedreaches.Surfaceandgroundwatersamples(seepageandhyporheiczone)willbe ?)$1 collectedtodetermineorpredicttheexpectednitrogenloadintheriverreaches.Ifthecalculatedload )N%2 (surfacewaterandgroundwaterinputs)islessthantheobservedload,transformationprocesseswillbe * &3 studied.Thepotentialeffectsoforganiccarbonandtemperatureondenitrificationratesinriverbed |+&4 sedimentswillbedeterminedthroughfurtheranalysis.Theacetyleneblocktechniquewillbe ;,'5 consideredinordertoquantifynitrousoxide(N20)production(gaseousstate),asthetechniquehas ,J(6 demonstratedtheabilitytomeasuredenitrificationrates,,.Theeffectsoforganiccarbonconcentrations - )7 andtypeonN20productionrateswillalsobestudied.Furthermore,seasonalsamplingwillbe  conductedtodeterminetheeffectsoftemperatureondenitrificationprocesses. o  ,?( 4 <DL4X? ,<( 4 <DLX<Massbalanceresultswillindicateifthemeasuredloadintheriverreachisaccountedforfromboth = surfacewaterandgroundwaterinputs.Ifthemeasuredloadislessthantheexpectedload(load  calculatedassumingnolossofnitrogen)thenitwouldsuggestthatthenetloadtotheriverisbeing k reduced.Furthercharacterizingthedenitrificationpotential(e.g.,riversediments,microbialactivity, * z etc.)willprovideinformationonthecharacteristicsofariverreachthatinfluencenitrogenloss;and/or  9  ,B+ 4 <DL4XB2)  IsotopeTracingofNitrogen:Nitrogenisotoperatiomeasurementshavebeenusedtoidentifynitrogen g   sourcesanddescribenitrogentransformationsinaquaticenvironments.Thetechniqueinvolves & v  determiningthe15N/14Nratioofnitrogeninnitrate(9'8od8o9'15NofNO3)and18O/16Oratiooftheoxygencontained  5  withinthenitrate(9'8od8o9'18O).Theratioofthesetwoisotopescanbecomparedtoknownisotopiccompositional    rangesforsourcesofnitrate,includingnaturalsoilnitrateandammoniumfertilizers,sewageandanimal }  wastes,andatmosphericsources,,.Deviationsfromtheseranges,whichindicateenrichmentin9'8od8o9'15NofNO3 <  ,mayindicatethepresenceofadditionalprocesses,includingdenitrification,aswellasmixingofdifferent X  sourcesofnitrogen.   B( 4 <DL, XBTheCommitteewillprovideinputtotheapplicantregardingtheworkplanapproach.TheCommitteewill E  assistinreviewoftheapplicantsworkplan,aswellasreviewtheQAPP,projectreports,andpresentations. T RegularlyscheduledCommitteemeetingswillbeestablishedinordertotrackprogressandidentify/address  potentialproblems.TheApplicantshallattendtheselocalmeetingstodiscussprogressandpresent  findings. A  Task2.QualityAssuranceProjectPlanPreparation Followingselectionofthemostsuitableapproach  andfinalizationofthedetailedworkplan,aQualityAssuranceProjectPlan(QAPP)willbedeveloped.The ~ QAPPshouldfollowEPAsguidanceaspresentedintheRegion1EPANewEnglandCompendiumof = QualityAssuranceProjectPlanRequirementsandGuidanceandEPAsnationalguidancedocuments,EPA L QA/G5andEPAQA/G5M.FollowingapprovaloftheQAPPbytheCommitteeandtheEPAQuality   AssuranceUnit,samplecollectionwillbegin. z  Task3.DataCollection Datacollectionwillbeconductedoverthecourseoftwelvemonths.Adatabase H willbedevelopedandmaintainedforthedataset;uponcompletionofsampling,thedatabasewillbe   finalized.Adatasynthesisreport,asdiscussedinTask6,willbedeveloped,summarizingthemajor v! findingsofthedatacollectioneffort. 5"  Task4.DataAnalysis TheresultsofPhase2(Tasks2and3)willbeusedtodevelopmoreprecise $ estimatesforinstreamnitrogenattenuationratesfortheConnecticutRiverWatershed.Anumberof r % differentdeterministicmodelingapproachesarebeingconsideredandwillbedecideduponbythe 1!& Committee.Uponcompletionofmodelinganddataanalyses,afinaltechnicalreportwillbedevelopedby !@' theApplicant,summarizingthedatacollectioneffortandresultsofthemodelinganalysesandpresenting "( theestimatesfornitrogenattenuationratesfortheConnecticutRiverWatershed.Atechnicalsymposium n#) willbescheduledtopresenttheresearchfindingsandpotentialimplications. -$}*  Task5.ProjectOutcomesandDeliverables(reportingrequirements) % ,  ?+ 4 <DLX?1.  Acarefullyplanned(monitoringandmodeling)studydesignforinvestigatinginstreamnitrogen )'y". attenuationinlargewatersheds.AlthoughthedesignwillbecateredtotheConnecticutRiverWatershed, '8#/ thefundamentalprinciplesandstudymethodswillbeapplicabletodifferentbasins. (#0 2.  AnextensivewaterqualitydatasetofnutrientrelatedparametersfortheentireConnecticutRiver f)$1 Watershed,boththemainstemriverandvarioustributarieswithineachofthefourStates. %*u%2 3.  Adatasynthesisreport(digitalandpaperformat),summarizingthemajorfindingsofthedata *4&3 collectioneffort. +&4  4.  MorepreciseestimatesforinstreamnitrogenattenuationratesfortheConnecticutRiverWatershed. b,'5 5.  Afinaltechnicalreport(digitalandpaperformat),summarizingthedatacollectioneffortandresults,  theresultsofthemodelinganalyses,andtheestimatesforinstreamnitrogenattenuationratesforthe o ConnecticutRiverWatershed. .~  6.  Atechnicalsymposiumtopresentthefindingsoftheresearchstudyandpotentialimplications. = 7.  Theresultsofthisprojectwillalsobepresentedatprofessionalconferencesandserveasthebasisfor  oneormoreprofessionaljournalarticles;however,itislikelythattheseactivitieswilloccurfollowingthe k completionofPhase3. * z B( 4 <DL, XBTheproposedresearchwillstartfollowingcompletionoffundingarrangementsbyORDandwillbe   conductedoveraperiodof21months.Thefollowingisaschedulefortheproposedresearch,which g   includesinterimmilestones(identifiedasnumberofmonthsfollowingprojectstartdate): & v    *:; rddd Xdd Xdd X!!,K,KK+  ><=>?+    KK> PHASE1 O@A>& ?  KK  <=>? KKOCompleteStudyDesign/ProjectWorkplan 6BCDE#D @A 6Month1 PFG?#D  KK  BCDE KP PHASE2 OHI>&N  K  FG KOCompleteQAPP&InitiateDataCollection 6JKL#X HI 6Month3 LMN;#X  K  JKL KLCompleteDataCollection 6OPQ#b MN 6Month15 LRS;#b  K  OPQ KLDataSynthesisReport&DatabaseDevelopment 6TUV#lRS 6Month18 PWX?#l K  TUV KP PHASE3 OYZ>&v K  WX KOCompleteModelingAnalyses 6[\]#YZ 6Month19 L^_;# K  [\] KLFinalTechnicalReport&Symposium 6`ab#^_ 6Month213)' K   `ab 3  X GPRAGoals,Objectives:  b  XThefollowingEPAGPRAcategoriesapplytothiscooperativeagreement: !  XGoal2:CleanandSafeWater   X9%4 4 <DLX9Objective2.3:Science/Research O   X6" <DL44X6Objective2.3.2:Research ^!  X <( 4 <DL  X<Thiscooperativeagreementwillalsoapplyto "  XSubobjective2.2.1:ImproveWaterQualityonaWatershedBasis # Subobjective2.2.2:ImproveCoastalandOceanWaters K$  X *rruLX* X B( 4 <DLrruXB StatutoryAuthorityforAwardofAssistance:  &  XThisresearchisauthorizedundertheCleanWaterAct,Section104,asamended;PublicLaw95217,33  ' U.S.C.1251etseq. G!(  II. 4 AwardInformation "*   4 AmountandRangeofIndividualAward :Oneawardfortwoyears,nottoexceed$100,000. C$,  4 NumberofAwards: Oneawardfortwoyears. %!.  4 Funding :TheEPAisexpectedtofundthisawardoveraperiodoftwoyears.Fundingofthe ?'"0 awardisestimatedtobeapproximately$100,000. 'N#1  4 ProjectPeriod :August1,2004toJuly31,2006. |)$3  4 SupplementalApplications :ApplicationsforsupplementalawardsofexistingEPAassistance ;*%4 agreementswillnotbeeligibletocompeteforthisassistanceopportunity. *J&5  4 TypeofAward :TheAgencyanticipatestheawardofacooperativeagreement. x,'7  4 AnticipatedFederalInvolvement : -F)9 Ї 4 EPAandtheProjectOfficerforthisassistanceagreementanticipatesubstantialinvolvementinthe  implementationofalloftheprogramtasks.Meetings,conferencecallsandemailcommunicationswillbe o undertakenbetweenORDandRegionalscienceandpolicyprofessionalsandthecooperativeagreement .~ recipienttofacilitatestudydesign,projectplanning,datacollection,databasesynthesisanddevelopment, = andmodelingphasesoftheresearch.   III. 4 EligibilityInformation * z   4 EligibleApplicants :ProgramsunderCFDA66.510areavailabletoeachState,territoryand   possession,andTribalnationoftheU.S.,includingtheDistrictofColumbia,forpublicandprivateState g   universitiesandcolleges,hospitals,laboratories,Stateandlocalgovernmentdepartments,otherpublicor & v  privatenonprofitinstitutions,andinsomecases,individualswhohavedemonstratedunusuallyhigh  5  scientificability.     4 CostSharingRequirements :None. "r   4 OtherEligibilityCriteria :    4 Eligiblenonprofitorganizationsincludeanyorganizationsthatmeetthedefinitionofnonprofitin n  OMBCircularA122.However,nonprofitorganizationsdescribedinSection501(c)(4)oftheInternal - RevenueCodethatengageinlobbyingactivitiesasdefinedinSection3oftheLobbyingDisclosureActof  1995arenoteligibletoapply.UniversitiesandeducationalinstitutionsmustbesubjecttoOMBCircularA [ 21. j  4 Groupsoftwoormoreeligibleapplicantsmaychoosetoformacoalitionandsubmitasingle  applicationforthisassistanceagreement.Coalitionsmustidentifywhicheligibleorganizationwillbethe W recipientoftheassistanceagreement,andwhicheligibleorganizations(s)willbesubawardeesofthe f recipient.Subawardsmustbeconsistentwiththedefinitionofthattermin40CFR30.2(ff).Therecipient % mustadministertheassistanceagreement,isaccountabletoEPAforproperexpenditureofthefunds,and  willbethepointofcontactforthecoalition.Asprovidedin40CFR30.2(gg),subrecipientsare S accountabletotherecipientforproperuseofEPAfunding. b  4 Coalitionsmaynotincludeforprofitorganizationsthatwillprovideservicesorproductstothe   successfulapplicant.Forprofitorganizationsarenoteligibleforsubawards.Anycontractsforservicesor O! productsfundedwithEPAfinancialassistancemustbeawardedunderthecompetitiveprocurement ^" proceduresof40CFRPart30.Theregulationsalsocontainlimitationsonconsultantcompensation. # Applicantsarenotrequiredtoidentifycontractorsorconsultantsintheproposal.Moreover,thefacta $ successfulapplicanthasnamedaspecificcontractororconsultantintheproposalEPAapprovesdoesnot K % relieveitofitsobligationstocomplywithcompetitiveprocurementrequirementsorconsultant  !Z& compensationlimitations. !'  4 ApplicationswillbereviewedforeligibilityduringtheAdministrativeandRelevanceReviews. G#) Thesereviewsmayhavetheeffectofmakingaproposalineligibleforaward.TheAdministrativeReview $V* andRelevanceReviewfactorsareasfollows: $ +  4 AdministrativeReview:Allinitialproposalswillbesubjecttoanadministrativereviewtoensure C&!- thattheyconformtotherequirementsofthisRFIP.EPAmayrejectanyapplicationsthatfailtoconform 'R". substantiallytotherequirementsofthisRFIP. '#/  4 RelevanceReview:Initialproposalsthatarefoundadministrativelyacceptablewillbesubjectedto ?)$1 areviewforrelevancytoEPAsmissiontosupportadvancementofenvironmentalscience.Onlyinitial )N%2 proposalsthatmeettheadministrativeandrelevancereviewswillbesubjecttothetechnicalreviewandbe * &3 eligibleforaward. |+&4  4 TechnicalReview:Initialproposalsthatarefoundadministrativelyacceptableandrelevantshall ,J(6 bereviewedfortechnicalmeritagainstthespecificcriteria. - )7 ЇInitialproposalsfromineligibleapplicantsdeemedineligibleforawardorthatfailtomeeteitherthe  administrative,relevance,ortechnicalreview,willbereturnedwithoutfurtherreview. o  IV. 4 ApplicationandSubmissionInformation =   4 AddresstoRequestApplicationPackage :JamesS.Latimer,USEPA,OfficeofResearchand k Development,NHEERL,AtlanticEcologyDivision,27TarzwellDrive,Narragansett,RIor * z latimer.jim@epa.gov.  9  4 ApplicationinformationisalsoavailablefromtheEPA/ORD/NHEERLwebsiteat g   http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/undertheheadingAssistanceOpportunities.Thisdocument,andany & v  subsequentamendments,constitutestheentireRequestforInitialProposal.  5   4 ContentandFormofApplicationSubmission :Ataminimum,theinitialproposalshallconsist c  ofthefollowingitems: "r   4 1.AcoversheetthatidentifiestheRFIPtitleandidentificationnumber,nameandaddressof   applicant,pointofcontact,telephonenumber,emailaddressfortheapplicant,applicant'sDUNSnumber _  (seeSectionVIII),andthedateofthesubmission. n   4 2.TechnicalproposalthatdiscussestheapproachtoaccomplishingthegoalsstatedunderFunding  Priorities/Focus,thecapabilities(intermsofpersonnelandfacilities)oftheapplicanttocompletethework, [ theexpectedresultsfromthiswork,howtheworkwilladvanceandstimulatethepublicneed,andhowthe j resultswillbemadeavailabletothepublicandgovernment.Inaddition,indevelopingthetechnical ) proposal,theapplicantshouldfocusontheevaluationcriteriasetforthinSectionVandincludeinthe  proposalsufficientinformationtoaddresseachofthecriteriaintheorderlisted. W  4 Thepagelimitationofthetechnicalproposalis10doublesidedpages(20pagestotal)witha % minimumfontsizeof12.Thispagelimitationshouldincludealltext,tables,figures,references,  attachments,andappendices.Inaddition,a2pagecurriculumvitashouldbeincludedfortheprogram S directorandanyotherkeypersonnelidentifiedintheproposal. b  4 3.Abudgetestimatefortheprojectthatisbrokendownintodirectlabor,fringebenefits,   equipment,travel,otherdirectcostsandoverheadwithsummariesforeachyearandthetotalfortheentire O! project.Indicateanyproposedcostsharing(notrequired). ^"  4 Initialproposalsshouldbesubmittedintheoriginalwith3copiesandshouldbedoublesided. $  4 SubmissionDate,Time,andLocation :Tobeconsideredtimely,initialproposalsmustbe  !Z& receivedby4:00pmlocaltimeAugust3,2004fromtheU.S.PostalServiceorothercommercialdelivery !' service.ProposalsshouldbesubmittedtoJamesS.Latimer,USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Office "( ofResearchandDevelopment,NHEERL,AtlanticEcologyDivision,27TarzwellDrive,Narragansett,RI G#) 02882.Initialproposalsreceivedafterthedeadlinewillnotbeconsideredandwillbereturnedtothe $V* submitter.Applicantsthatsubmitproposalsbyhandshouldrequestareceiptfromthesecurityguardatthe $ + mainentranceoftheEPAfacility. % ,  4  4 IntergovernmentalReview :ThisassistanceopportunityissubjecttoExecutiveOrder12372, 'R". "IntergovernmentalReviewofFederalPrograms."ApplicantsshouldcontacttheirState'sSinglePointof '#/ Contact(SPOC)tofindouthowtocomplywiththeState'sprocess.ThenamesandaddressesoftheSPOC's (#0 arelistedintheOfficeofManagementandBudget'shomepageat: ?)$1 http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. )N%2  4 FundingRestrictions :Fundingofthefirstyearoftheawardisexpectedtobeat$100,000. |+&4 Additionalfundingisnotexpected. ;,'5   ,J(6  4 Amendments :Amendmentswillbepostedonthiswebsiteandtheduedateforinitialproposals   willbeextendedifdeemedappropriate. o  4 OtherSubmissionRequirements :None. =  V. 4 ApplicationReviewInformation k   4 AdministrativeReview:Allinitialproposalswillbesubjecttoanadministrativereviewtoensure  9 thattheyconformtotherequirementsofthisRFIP.EPAmayrejectanyapplicationthatfailstoconform   substantiallytotherequirementsofthisRFIP. g    4 RelevanceReview:Initialproposalsthatarefoundadministrativelyacceptablewillbesubjectedto  5  areviewforrelevancytoEPAsmissiontosupportadvancementofenvironmentalscience.Onlyinitial    proposalsthatmeettheadministrativereviewandrelevancereviewwillbesubjecttothetechnicalreview c  andbeeligibleforaward.Initialproposalsfromineligibleapplicantsdeemedineligibleforawardorthat "r  failtomeeteithertheadministrativerevieworrelevancereview,willbereturnedwithoutfurtherreview. 1   4 Examplesofrelevancyissuesthatmakeproposalineligibleinclude: _   4 1.Proposalisdeficienttechnicallywithnochanceforconsideration. -  4 2.Proposalfailstoadvancetheobjectivesstatedinthesolicitationevenifsuccessfullyperformed.   4 3.Proposalessentiallyduplicatesworkalreadycompletedorunderway. [  4 4.Proposalfailstodemonstrateapublicpurposeofsupportandstimulation;i.e.,itimpliesthe j primarypurposeistoprovidedirectsupporttotheFederalgovernment. )  4 CriteriaforTechnicalReview:Initialproposalsthatarefoundadministrativelyacceptableand W relevantshallbereviewedfortechnicalmeritagainstthefollowingcriteria. f  4  4 1.TechnicalapproachforaddressingtheRFIPproposedactivities.(30%)   4 2.Qualificationoftheproposedkeypersonnel.Applicantsshouldidentifykeypersonnelandtheir b proposedtimecommitmenttothisassistanceagreement.(25%) !  4 3.Institutionalcapabilityincludinglongstandingability(a)toassistthestatesofConnecticut, O! Massachusetts,NewHampshireandVermontincoordinatingactivitiesthatallowcooperationamongthe ^" statesforthisresearchproject,(b)todrawonNewEnglandstateandscientificexpertiseinprioritizing # researchtasks,(c)todrawontheexpertiseoftheUSGS,NewEnglandregionEPAforactivitiesrelatedto $ thisresearch,(d)todrawonpriorknowledgeoftheUSGSregardingCTriverresearchandmanagement, K % (e)toproduceaQualityAssuranceProjectPlan.(25%)  !Z&  4 4.PastPerformance.Demonstratelongstandingability(a)toconductmultifacetedfieldprograms "( throughcooperationwithstatesofMA,CT,NH,andVTandtheUSGS,(b)toplanandexecuteforumsof G#) scientistsandstaterepresentativestoprioritizeandreviewresearchfindingsrelatedtoCTriverscientific $V* andpolicyissues,(c)toapplypreviousknowledgerelateddirectlytoCTRiverandtheLongIslandSound $ + TMDLscientificandpolicyissues.Insummary,theapplicantmustdemonstratearecordofperformancein % , projectsofsimilarsize,relevance,andscopetothisagreement.(20%) C&!-   4 ReviewandSelectionProcess: '#/   4 EvaluationProcess:TheadministrativeandrelevancyreviewswillbeconductedbyEPA ?)$1 personnelwhoarenotapartofthetechnicalreviewpanel.Thereviewofthetechnicalcriteriawillbe )N%2 conductedbyatechnicalreviewpanel;technicalreviewpanelshallconsistofatleastoneinternalEPA * &3 reviewerandatleasttwononEPAreviewerswhoareabletodemonstratetechnicalexpertiseintheareas |+&4 relatedtotheRFIPandalackofanyconflictofinterest. ;,'5   ,J(6  4 SourceSelection:Apreliminaryselectionoftheapplicantforawardwillbemadebaseduponthe   rankingsofthetechnicalreviewpanelandtheotherfactorsdiscussedabove.TheDecisionOfficialisan o OfficeofResearchandDevelopment(ORD)managerwhowillpreliminarilyselectwhichapplicantshould .~ receivetheaward. =  4 FullApplication:Theapplicantselectedforawardwillberequestedtosubmitafull,detailed k applicationinaccordancewiththeguidanceprovidedbyEPAsOfficeofGrantsandDebarment * z (http://www.epa.gov/ogd/).Afterreceiptofthefullapplication,EPAmaynegotiatechangestotheproposal  9 withtheselectedapplicant.    4 RejectionFactors:Applicationsmayberejectedbecausetheyfailtocomplywiththe & v  administrativerequirementsoftheRFIP,theyarefoundtolackrelevancy,theyarejudgedtechnically  5  unacceptable,ortheyarenotdeemedsuitableforawardduetootherfactors(ifidentified).EPAreserves    therighttorejectallproposalsorapplicationsandmakenoawards. c   4 Disputes:Disputeswillberesolvedpursuanttotheprocessdescribedin40CFR30.63andPart31, 1  subpartF.    4 AnticipatedAnnouncementandAwardDates :TheanticipatedannouncementdateisJune n  2004.TheanticipatedawarddateisAugust2004. -  VI. 4 AwardAdministrationInformation [   4 AwardNotices :NoticeofawardwillbemadeinwritingbyanofficialintheEPAGrants ) AdministrationDivision.PreliminaryselectionbytheDecisionOfficialintheOfficeofResearchand  Developmentdoesnotguaranteeanawardwillbemade.Applicantsarecautionedthatonlyagrantsofficer W canbindtheGovernmenttotheexpenditureoffunds.NocommitmentonthepartofEPAshouldbe f inferredfromtechnicalorbudgetarydiscussionswithanEPAProgramOfficial.APrincipalInvestigatoror % organizationthatmakesfinancialorpersonnelcommitmentsintheabsenceofagrantorcooperative  agreementsignedbytheEPAGrantsAwardOfficialdoessoattheirownrisk. S  4 EPAwillpromptlynotifyinwriting(postaloremail)thoseapplicantswhoseproposalhasnotbeen ! selectedforaward.Anunsuccessfulapplicantmayrequestadebriefingtobetterunderstandtheevaluated   strengthsandweaknessesofitsproposalandthereasonitwasnotselectedforaward. O!   4 AdministrativeandNationalPolicyRequirements: #   4 RegulationsandOMBCoverage: K %  4 Grantsandagreementswithinstitutionsofhighereducation,hospitals,andothernonprofit !' organizationsaresubjectto40CFRParts30and40andOMBCircularA122fornonprofitsandA21for "( institutionsofhigherlearning. G#)  4 Grantsandagreementswithstate,local,andtribalgovernmentsaresubjectto40CFRParts31and $ + 40andOMBCircularA87. % ,  4 ProgrammaticTermsandConditions:Termsandconditionswillbenegotiatedwiththeselected 'R". recipientcoveringthefollowingrequirements: '#/  4 Tofurthertheassistanceagreementobjectivesofpublicsupportandstimulation,applicantsmust ?)$1 agreetomakemethods,models,anddataresultingfromthisagreementaccessibletothepublicandtoEPA )N%2 researchers. * &3  4 Reporting : ;,'5  4 ThefollowingreportswillbecompletedforthisprojectandsubmittedtotheProjectOfficer. - )7   6" <DLX61. Adatasynthesisreport(digitalandpaperformat),summarizingthemajorfindingsofthe  datacollectioneffort(dueinmonth18) o 2. Afinaltechnicalreport(digitalandpaperformat),summarizingthedatacollectioneffort .~ andresults,theresultsofthemodelinganalyses,andtheestimatesforinstreamnitrogen = attenuationratesfortheConnecticutRiverWatershed(dueinmonth21)    <( 4 <DL  X< VII. 4 AgencyContact  9   4 TheprimaryagencycontactforthisRFIPisDr.JamesS.Latimerat: g    4 USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency  5   4 OfficeofResearchandDevelopment     4 NHEERL,AtlanticEcologyDivision c   4 27TarzwellDrive,Narragansett,RI02882 "r   4 Telephone:4017823167    4 Telefax:4017823030 _   4 Email:laitmer.jim@epa.gov n   4 IfunabletoreachDr.Latimer,contactMs.MargaretMannat:   4 Telephone:9195414896 j  4 Telefax:9195412581 )  4 Email:mann.margaret@epa.gov   VIII. 4 OtherInformation %   4 Questions:QuestionsshouldbesubmittedinwritingtoJimLatimer.Donotattempttoseek S informationregardingthisRFIPfromanysourceotherthanthoseidentifiedinSectionVIIasthe b informationprovidedmayormaynotbeaccurate.Questionsthatareconsideredsignificantwillbe ! answeredviaanamendmenttothisRFIP.    4 ConfidentialInformation:Clearlymarkinformationconsideredtobeconfidential.EPAwillmake ^" finalconfidentiallydecisionsinaccordancewithAgencyregulationsat40CFR,Part2,SubpartB.As # notedabove,initialproposalsforresearchanddemonstrationprojectswillbeprovidedtoatleasttwonon $ EPAconsultantsfortechnicalreview.Allreviewerswillberequiredtosignconfidentialityagreements K % certifyingtheywillkeepalldeliberationsconfidential,andtheywillnotcopyanyportionsofanymaterial  !Z& providedbyEPAforreview,andtheywillreturnallmaterialtoEPAuponrequest.Ifyouareunwillingto !' allownonEPAconsultantstoreviewyourproposal,pleaseadviseusofyourdecisioninacoverletterto "( yourproposal. G#)  4 DUNSNumber:GrantapplicantsarerequiredtoprovideaDunandBradstreet(D&B)Data $ + UniversalNumberingSystem(DUNS)numberwhenapplyingforFederalgrantsorcooperative % , agreements.OMBhasdeterminedthatthereisaneedforimprovedstatisticalreportingofFederalgrants C&!- andcooperativeagreements.UseoftheDUNSnumbergovernmentwidewillprovideameanstoidentify 'R". entitiesreceivingthoseawardsandtheirbusinessrelationships.Theidentifierwillbeusedfortracking '#/ purposes,andtovalidateaddressandpointofcontactinformation. (#0  4 ADUNSnumberwillberequiredwhetheranapplicantissubmittingapaperapplicationorusing ?)$1 thegovernmentwideelectronicportal(Grants.gov).TheDUNSnumberwillsupplementotheridentifiers )N%2 requiredbystatuteorregulation,suchastaxidentificationnumbers.OrganizationscanreceiveaDUNS * &3 numberinoneday,atnocost,bycallingthededicatedtollfreeDUNSNumberrequestlineat1866705 |+&4 5711.IndividualswhowouldpersonallyreceiveagrantorcooperativeagreementawardfromtheFederal ;,'5 governmentapartfromanybusinessornonprofitorganizationtheymayoperateareexemptfromthis ,J(6 requirement.ThewebsitewhereanorganizationcanobtainaDUNSnumberis:http://www.dnb.com.This - )7 takes30businessdaysandthereisnocostunlesstheorganizationrequestsexpedited(1day)processing,  whichincludesafeeof$40. o