![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Cooperative Agreement for Water Quality Standards (WQS) Forum
Applications are no longer being accepted for this grant.
EPA is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) for a cooperative agreement to support a new forum in which states, territories, and authorized tribes can routinely communicate and collaborate with each other and with EPA to enhance the effectiveness of their water quality standards (WQS) programs, as authorized under the Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Scientifically sound water quality standards are vital to protecting water for swimming, public uses, and fish and wildlife, and they provide the environmental baseline for water quality programs. EPA seeks to improve communication between states, territories, and tribes that will help identify barriers to adoption of WQS and develop potential solutions, promote best management practices for water uses, and support innovative implementation of WQS programs. In addition, funds awarded under this announcement are expected to promote information flow and technology transfer through the development and use of electronic communication tools.
Anticipated outputs (deliverables) from the cooperative agreement to be awarded under this announcement include:
- Establish and manage a communication forum, including the operational protocols, participation requirements, and members.
- Prepare quarterly performance reports.
- Develop and maintain an electronic means of communication, such as the dedicated website and/or listserve(s) to effectively communicate forum activities, including meeting and teleconference schedules, agendas, and other useful information.
- Convene annual face-to-face meetings of the forum, facilitating information sharing and technical solution transfer on WQS issues among states, territories, and tribes. Identify challenges in WQS programs and formulate potential solutions.
- Convene annual face-to-face meetings of the State/EPA workgroup.
- Develop and implement a strategy for identifying training and information dissemination activities to increase the knowledge and skills of WQS professionals.
The successful applicant will provide leadership in designing and running an effective communication forum for managers and water quality experts in state, territory, and tribal governments. This includes providing leadership in identifying challenges in WQS programs and formulating potential solutions.
Hard copy applications must be received by EPA by 4:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), August 20, 2007, or by electronic submission through Grants.gov by 11:59 P.M. EDT, August 20, 2007. Late applications will not be considered for funding.
Questions must be submitted in writing via e-mail and must be received by Agnes Ortiz (ortiz.agnes@epa.gov) before July 25, 2007. Written responses will be posted on EPA's website at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/funding/.
- WQS Forum RFA (PDF) (90K, 19 pages, About PDF)
If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: Agnes Ortiz (ortiz.agnes@epa.gov), 202-566-1303.