Columbia River Basin Toxic Reduction Lead Request for Applications

EPA is accepting applications for entities interested in acting as a Toxic Reduction Lead under the Columbia River Basin Restoration Funding Assistance Program. Applications are due March 13, 2023.

How to Apply

Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than Monday, March 13th 2023, at 11:59pm (Eastern) in order to be considered for funding.

Visit Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-I-R10-OW-CRBRP-2023-02 for more information and to apply.

Applications must support activities in the U.S. portion of the Columbia River Basin. See eligibility information below.

Important Dates

March 13, 2023 - Applications due
April 2023 - Anticipated notification of selection
August 2023 - Anticipated awards

Covid-19 Update

EPA is providing flexibilities to applicants experiencing challenges related to COVID-19. Please see the Flexibilities Available to Organizations Impacted by COVID-19 clause in section IV of EPA's Solicitation Clauses.

Informational Webinars

EPA will host the same informational webinar on two different dates. Potential applicants are encouraged to participate in one of these information sessions to learn more about the Columbia River Basin Restoration program and the grant application process.

Pre-registration is not required.

Thursday, January 19, 1-2:30pm (Pacific)
- Join 1/19 webinar (Microsoft Teams): Meeting ID: 287 787 128 12; Passcode: U2Tagf
- Or join by phone-only: 206-800-4483 - Phone Conference ID: 805 197 723#
Thursday, February 23, 1-2:30pm (Pacific)
- Join 2/23 webinar (Microsoft Teams): Meeting ID: 213 164 466 639; Passcode: oLMva8
- Or join by phone-only: 206-800-4483 - Phone Conference ID: 996 015 884#

During the webinar, EPA will highlight any changes to the program, review eligibility criteria, funding limits and the match waiver. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Slides from EPA's presentation will be available upon request to ColumbiaRiverBasinGrant@epa.gov. If you are unable to attend the webinar, a recording may also be available upon request.

Frequent Questions

Questions submitted by 4pm (Pacific) each Friday while the request for applications is open will be answered and posted here the following week.

Frequently Questions about Columbia River Basin Requests for Applications (pdf) (369.27 KB, Updated January 18, 2023)

Applicants may email written questions regarding threshold eligibility criteria, administrative issues related to the submission of the application, and requests for clarification about any of the language or provisions in the announcement to ColumbiaRiverBasinGrant@epa.gov.

Funding Available

We anticipate awarding approximately 5 to 10 cooperative agreements in total, ranging from $3,000,000 to $7,000,000 in federal funds per project, subject to the availability of funds, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. Awards will be issued and managed through EPA’s Region 10 and Region 8 offices.

Minimum Application Amount per RFA: $3,000,000
Maximum Application Amount per RFA: $7,000,000
Total Available Funds: $40,000,000

Eligibility

Eligible entities include state governments, tribal governments, regional water pollution control agencies and entities, local government entities, nongovernmental entities, or soil and water conservation districts.

EPA is soliciting applications from eligible entities that are interested in acting as a Toxic Reduction Lead. The primary role of the Toxic Reduction Lead is to:

Develop, implement, and manage a multi-phase or large-scale program or programs which leverage partnerships and include a comprehensive toxics reduction plan.
Lead program and policy development and provide technical assistance.
Award and manage subawards.
Participate in the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program Working Group and provide periodic program updates at the bi-annual meetings.

An applicant’s program implementation plan should consider how program outcomes will address EPA’s FY2023 priorities, how collaborative and supportive relationships with partners will be established and maintained, and how the entity will support leading projects that are either geographically or substantively connected.

All grant applications should focus on one or more of EPA’s FY2023 program priorities:

Agricultural best practices to reduce toxics.
Green infrastructure to reduce stormwater and improve water quality.
Pollution prevention to prevent toxics from entering the environment.
Clean-up actions to remove toxics which do not duplicate similar work efforts of other EPA-funded programs including but not limited to CERCLA, RCRA and Brownfields.
Community education and outreach to help the public take actions to reduce toxics in the Basin.

During this request for funding, EPA will not prioritize funding for proposals where the primary work effort and purpose is to conduct monitoring and/or process analytical samples. However, these tasks may be a small component of a larger proposal that is prioritized, such as a clean-up action proposal involving some post-reclamation effectiveness monitoring. In these cases, applications should describe how the monitoring will provide accountability and demonstrate success of toxics reduction actions.

For More Information

For questions, contact Nicole Taylor (taylor.nicole@epa.gov), 206-553-8322. For email inquiries, please also copy ColumbiaRiverBasinGrant@epa.gov.

Learn more about the Columbia River Basin Restoration Funding Assistance Program.