U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is offering Tribal Wetland Program Development Grants

Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) assist state, tribal, local government (S/T/LG) agencies and interstate/intertribal entities in developing or refining state/tribal/local programs which protect, manage, and restore wetlands. The primary focus of these grants is to develop/refine tribal wetland programs. In this Request for Applications (RFA) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to develop or refine tribal wetland programs as described in Section I, FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION. Tribes and intertribal consortia are eligible to apply under this announcement. Non-profit organizations, states, and interstate organizations are not eligible to compete under this RFA.

Under this announcement, as is more fully explained in Section I, there will be two separate applicant tracks for eligible applicants. Eligible tribes can submit proposals under either Track One or Track Two, while eligible intertribal consortia can only submit proposals under Track Two. Applicants under each track will only compete for awards against other applicants in their track. See Section V of the announcement for further information. EPA has discretion to contact the applicant if necessary to discuss the most appropriate track for their proposal.

This RFA following EPA policy is now soliciting applications and not proposals. Please check Section IV of the announcement for all forms that will now be required at time of application submission before RFA closing date. Applications are due January 15, 2021.

The total amount of federal funding available under this announcement is for approximately $3,118,000 expected depending on Agency funding levels, which may vary from year to year, and other applicable considerations. The EPA anticipates awarding approximately $900,000 in federal funds under Track One and approximately $553,000 in federal funds under Track Two. Awards will likely range from $25,000 to $250,000 in federal funds. All applicants must describe in their proposal how they will contribute the required minimum cost share/matching funds (see Section III.B of the announcement for information on the non-federal cost share/match requirement). It is anticipated that the assistance agreements awarded under this announcement will have one to four year project periods starting after June 2021. The project period for assistance agreements under this announcement may be no more than four years.

If you have any questions please contact Myra Price at price.myra@epa.gov or WPDG-RFA@epa.gov.

The goals of EPA’s wetland program include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland condition. In pursuing these goals, EPA seeks to develop the capacity of all levels of government to develop and refine effective, comprehensive programs for wetland protection and management. 

Tribal Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) provide tribes and intertribal consortia (hereafter referred to as “applicants” or “recipients”) an opportunity to develop and refine comprehensive tribal wetland programs. These programs are meant to: 

• Develop the capacity of tribal governments to increase the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland condition.

• Use one or more of the following “Core Elements” in order to achieve this goal.