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2007 Questions & Answers Regarding Wetland Program Development Grants
Related Information
2008 Grant Award Winners
2007 Grant Award Winners
2006 Grant Award Winners
Question
Would it be responsive to the solicitation to propose a follow-up project to our hydraulic roughness work that would examine the use of floodplain plant species by anadromous fish?
Answer
If the follow-up project falls within the scope of the solicitation then it may be responsive.
Question
Could you please give me additional information under the "Priorities for Hawaii" #2, "development of biocriteria for special aquatic resources." Thank you for your help.
Answer
Additional information about biocriteria can be found at the following websites:
- Steps in Developing a Bioassessment and Biocriteria Program
- Bioassessment and Biocriteria
- Charting a Course Toward Diagnostic Monitoring:
A Continuing Review of Coral Reef Attributes and a Research Strategy for Creating Coral Reef Indexes of Biotic Integrity
Question
We are currently conducting hydrologic and geomorphic assessments in several off-estuary tributaries and sloughs of the Klamath River. Many of these habitats are hydrologically connected to wetland habitats. We are currently monitoring discharge, water quality and conducting topographic surveys of the area to facilitate restoration planning. We need funding to conduct more detailed surveys of these wetlands habitats to incorporate this information into our long-term restoration efforts.
This type of project seems a good fit for your program but I am struggling a bit with the outputs and outcomes. I've tried to hit several of the EPA priorities. However, I am not a wetland specialist and I'm trying to wade through the potential monitoring methods to include. I know I want to hire a plant specialist to map vegetation. We have a fairly big problem with invasive species. Do you have any suggestions for monitoring tools. I am looking into the links provided in the RFP. The hydrogeomorphic wetland classification sounds interesting. I would greatly appreciate any advice you may have regarding monitoring methods and proposal language.
Answer
Additional information regarding monitoring methods can be found at:
- Application of Elements of a State Water Monitoring and Assessment Program For Wetlands (PDF) (12 pp, 90K, About PDF)
Pursuant to EPA's "Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements," EPA cannot develop proposal language for grant applicants. Applicants are responsible for the content of their proposals. However, you may wish to review EPA's Environmental Results Policy which discusses environmental outputs and environmental outcomes in detail. The policy may be found at:
- Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements (PDF) (29 pp, 180K, About PDF)
Question
First of all, I was wondering if this program has been very competitive in the past. Do you typically receive many applications? What is the success rate for applicants?
In addition, what type of entity is most likely to apply? Do you see many local governments applying, or are other types of entities?
I was also wondering if providing matching funds will help an application be more successful. Does leveraging funds from outside sources give an applicant a competitive advantage?
Finally, I was wondering if you have any advice for potential applicants so that they may present a stronger application. Would you recommend that they contact you or other program officers before applying? Is there anything they should keep in mind?
Answer
We consistently receive more applications than we can fund and in general fund about one third of the applications. The type of applicant has varied over the years with some years receiving more applications from local governments and other years receiving more state applications. The selection criteria are contained in the RFP and we are limited to these criteria in our review process. Criteria number 5 and 6 are related to leveraging and partnerships.
Question
Is there a Competition Identification Number?
If I received a wetlands grant several years ago and I'm applying to update the project (JARPA), is it considered a new grant or a continuation?
Answer
The Competition Identification Number would be the Solicitation Number: EPA-REGIXWPDG-2007.
We would consider the project a new grant if the previous project has been completed or is more than a few years old.
Question
We would hope to monitor water and soils around the newly developed (and agronomically designed) cropping areas. Dr. Z and I have worked for many years with animal waste and wastewater. Our grant is simply design and recommendations. MANY agencies are involved with our plan. Two co-ops, at least 3 state agencies, NRCS (if not more fed) and a county office or two. Best served would be implementation and follow-up with comprehensive monitoring, which is thus far not funded. Similar to Greg B.'s EPA grant, monitoring by UH Manoa could get things rolling, and then a set of outer island volunteers could send water and soil samples to us for perhaps a year or two. Dr. Bruland suggested I should talk to you to get an opinion on whether or not this might be worth writing up.
Answer
We encourage you to review the solicitation carefully to determine whether your proposal falls within the requirements of the solicitation. Pursuant to EPA's "Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements," EPA can not advise you regarding whether the project is worth writing up and we are not authorized to review proposals prior to the due date.
Question
Is the WPDG eligible for inclusion in a PPG with 5% match?
Answer
The regulations that govern Performance Partnership Grants (PPGs) can be founds at 40 CFR 35.136 for State Grantees, and 40 CFR 35.536(c) for Tribal grantees. A reduced match may be available for Tribal grantees that place the WPDG grant funds in a Performance Partnership Grant. Performance Partnership Grants (PPG) enable Tribes to combine funds from more than one environmental program grant into a single grant with a single budget. If the Tribe includes their WPDG competitive grant as a part of an approved PPG, the match requirement may be reduced to 5 percent of the allowable cost of the work plan budget for the first 2 years in which the Tribe receives a PPG; after 2 years, the match may be increased up to 10 percent of the work plan budget (as determined by the Regional Administrator). The match is not reduced for non-tribal applicants.
Question
I am looking into applying for the 2/12/07 deadline and would like your help in making sure my team is ready to apply for this grant opportunity. The way that I think can greatly assist my team in determining if we are ready to apply is some sample grant applications that were awarded funds in the past. I had my research team look through the abstracts for 2006 grant awardees and they selected the following grant application successes to review:
- NV Department of Natural Resources
- Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
- Los Coyotes Indians
- Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
If this is not possible, please let me know of another outlet I can take. Thank you so much for your help.
Answer
Please contact Cheryl McGovern at (415) 972-3415 if you would like a copy of these project proposals
Question
Can federal agencies apply?
Can a group that includes a federal agency with the lead applicant being a local or state government apply?
Given local government is the lead agency, is any involvement with nonprofits permitted?
Do you expect this grant program to have a 2008 cycle?
Answer
Federal agencies are not eligible to apply for a WPDG. Generally, federal agencies are not eligible to receive a subgrant or subcontract unless authorized by statute. Nonprofits may be eligible to receive a subgrant or subcontract. However, EPA regulations generally require that contracts be competed.
While we anticipate funding this program in 2008, we have not made a final determination whether or not this will occur.
Question
The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County has a program of technological innovation involving Vegetated Treatment Systems (VTS), also known as "Treatment Wetlands", to reduce nutrient and pesticide loads in agricultural drainage ditches. In my effort to identify possible funding sources to continue/expand our work in this area beyond 2007, I have the following questions:
- Are Resource Conservation Districts (a type of local Special District) eligible to apply?
- Would constructed wetlands in the agricultural drainage environment fit within EPA's definition of wetlands for the purposes of this grant program?
I would appreciate any guidance you can give me on our eligibility to apply for this funding cycle.
Answer
Resource Conservation Districts are eligible.
The purpose of the grant program is to protect existing wetlands. The use of constructed wetlands for the purpose of removing pollutants from agricultural drain water is considered a wastewater treatment method and not a protection and enhancement of wetlands. Therefore, this type of proposal does not fit well with the priorities of this grant program.
Question
We want to;- inventory all of the wetlands existing within our boundaries,
- incorporate that inventory into USFWS's NWI,
- prioritze vulnerable/ecologically important wetlands,
- and monitor important wetlands to ensure adequate protection and to observe net gains and losses.
Are these activities eligible for funding? Any suggestions or assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Answer
Yes, this type of project is eligible. You may want to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine the status of mapping in your area in California because the State of California has recently completed updated National Wetlands Inventory mapping of over 80 percent of the State. The Assistant Regional Wetlands Coordinator of the National Wetlands Inventory is Ms. Blok who may be reached at (503) 231-2192.