Coral Reef Grants Workshop

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Coral Reef Grants Workshop
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Targeted Watersheds Grants Program

• Designed to encourage successful community-based
  approaches and management techniques to protect
  and restore the nations waters.

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Eligibility Criteria

• Nominations submitted by the Governor
• States/territories may prepare or solicit
  watershed proposals in a manner most appropriate
  to their state and nominate the most meritorious
  to EPA.
• Watershed organizations should contact their
  State as soon as possible to ascertain its
  internal procedures.
• Governors are limited to two watershed
  nominations within their jurisdiction.

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Application Requirements

• EPA will consider any activity that will result
  in the protection, preservation, and restoration
  of a watershed, that incorporates a
  watershed-based approach, is well developed and
  will produce measurable environmental outcomes.

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• Projects must be ready-to-go and have a wide
  array of public support.
• Projects must show measurable environmental
  results in a short time frame (2-3 yrs) and
  quantify their particular environmental parameter
  during the course of the project.
• The criteria that will be used to evaluate the
  nominations include
• Innovation
• Tangible Solutions
• Broad Support
• Outreach Program
• Financial Integrity

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Funding Amounts

• This year, grant awards will range from 600,000
  to 900,000, and a 25 non-federal match is
  required.

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2004 Solicitation Process

• 14 watersheds were selected
• Grants ranged from 700,000 to 1,300,000 with an
  additional 25 leveraged from other sources.

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2003 Solicitation Process

• EPA received 176 nominations including projects
  in every state, Puerto Rico and the Virgin
  Islands.
• 20 watersheds were selected.
• Grants ranged from 300K to 1M

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Example

• Hanalei Bay Watershed Initiative funding will be
  awarded the Hanalei Heritage River Program to
  support local efforts for ecologic restoration,
  community development and historic and cultural
  preservation. Planned projects include cesspool
  replacement, exclusion fencing, erosion control
  BMP implementation, and monitoring.

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Five Star Restoration Program

• The Five Star Restoration Program brings together
  students, conservation corps, other youth groups,
  citizen groups, corporations, landowners and
  government agencies to provide environmental
  education and training through projects that
  restore wetlands and streams.

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• The program provides challenge grants, technical
  support and opportunities for information
  exchange to enable community-based restoration
  projects.

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Eligibility Criteria

• Grassroots organizations
• Community Groups

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Application Requirements

• Five Star Restoration Grant applications can be
  downloaded from the National Fish and Wildlife
  Foundation site athttp//nfwf.org/programs/5star
  -rfp.htm

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Funding Amounts

• EPA's funding levels are modest, averaging about
  10,000 per project.
• However, when combined with the contributions of
  partners, projects that make a meaningful
  contribution to communities become possible.

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Geographic Distribution
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Example Puerto Rico

• Project Name Culebra Island Coral Reef
  Restoration
• Five-Star Funds13,950
• Grant To Culebra Island Fishermen Association
• Project LocationCulebra, Puerto Rico
• The Culebra Island Fisherman Association will
  train volunteer divers on coral conservation and
  aquaculture, expand an existing system of coral
  aquaculture farms to provide a sustainable source
  of propagules for future restoration efforts,
  produce geo-referenced maps to plan future
  restoration efforts, and initiate a pilot coral
  reef restoration program at one of the identified
  sites.

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Example - USVI

• Project Name Protect Lameshur Bay Mangrove
  Forest
• Five-Star Funds16,080
• Grant To Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service
• Project LocationLameshur Bay, St. John, Virgin
  Islands
• The Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service
  (VIMAS) at the University of the Virgin Islands
  will provide elementary school children on St.
  John and St. Thomas islands with an opportunity
  to learn about the ecological and socio-economic
  values of mangrove ecosystems through interactive
  and critical thinking activities, targeted
  educational materials, and a workshop series/tour
  of the restoration area.

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• As part of this project, mangrove seedlings will
  be propagated and monitored on Lameshur Bay.
• Schoolchildren will then have an opportunity to
  tour the areas and view the restoration in
  process
• Educational materials will be provided to the
  students in the form of comic and coloring books.

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Example - Hawaii

• Project Name Hanalei Watershed Riparian
  RestorationFive Star Grant 13,000Grant to
  Hanalei Heritage River ProgramProject Location
  Hanalei, Hawaii
• The Hanalei Heritage River Program, in
  partnership with the University of Hawaii, the
  Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge and others, will
  develop riparian restoration techniques for the
  lower Hanalei River watershed in order to reduce
  significant bank erosion and flood damage caused
  by non-native riparian weeds. Project partners
  will remove these exotic species and plant native
  vegetation using several different experimental
  techniques.

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• The local school and community groups will derive
  educational benefits by participating in the
  propagation and planting of the native riparian
  plants, monitoring of experimental areas, and
  interpretation of the river and riparian
  vegetation. The results of the work will be used
  to develop and implement a comprehensive riparian
  management plan for the Hanalei River, an
  American Heritage River.

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Wetlands Program Development Grants

• priority is given to funding projects that
  address the three priority areas identified by
  EPA
• Developing a comprehensive monitoring and
  assessment program
• improving the effectiveness of compensatory
  mitigation and
• refining the protection of vulnerable wetlands
  and aquatic resources.

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Eligibility Criteria

• States, local governments, and national
  non-profit, non-governmental organizations are
  eligible to apply.

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Application Requirements

• work plans must include
• (1) A summary of key objectives, outcomes, and
  final products
• (2) A detailed description of project tasks, an
  explanation of environmental results of the
  project and how the project will contribute to
  developing or improving the wetland program
• (3) Address the selection criteria specified in
  Section V

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• (4) A strategy for transferring the knowledge or
  techniques gained through this effort to other
  areas and a description of how the results can be
  adapted to other areas
• (5) A project monitoring and evaluation component
  including performance evaluation measures and
  reporting schedule
• (6) A time-line or period of performance
  estimating activities from the start of the
  grant. Qualify if some work is seasonal or tied
  to a specific date

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• (7) A budget and estimated funding amounts for
  each work plan component - the budget should
  correspond to the SF424 Grant Application form
  budget categories. Budgets must include all items
  in the total project costs, not just those for
  the Federal Share. Remember to include the
  required match to the budget
• (8) A description of roles and responsibilities
  of the recipient and any major partners in
  carrying out the work plan commitments
• (9) Contact information for the Program Manager,
  Grant Project Lead Manager, and Account Manager
  who will be responsible for the project

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Geographic Distribution

• Region 02 - 72
• New Jersey 22
• New York 46
• Puerto Rico 3
• Virgin Islands 1

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Example

• University of Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Marine
  Biology
• Under this grant, which was awarded pursuant to a
  competitive process under the Wetlands Grants
  Program, we are providing 86,354 and the
  University is providing 28,792 for the
  assessment, mapping, and monitoring the health.
  of coral reefs.

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• The areas selected are coral reefs adjacent to
  streams and water bodies impaired by pollutants
  as identified under section 303(d) of the Clean
  Water Act.
• The grantee will document baseline conditions of
  the reefs so that changes as a result of
  management activities taken in the TMDL process
  can be monitored.
• The grant money will fund studies under the
  Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring
  Program (CRAMP), an ongoing statewide coral reef
  assessment project. Region 9's grant will
  enable the program to assess additional reefs in
  areas where pollutants such as sediments and
  nutrients may affect the health of the coral reef
  ecosystems.

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Example

• Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources,
  Division of Aquatic Resources.
• Under this grant, which was also awarded under
  the Regions competitive Wetlands Grant Program,
  EPA is providing 103,145, and the State of
  Hawaii is providing 37,975 to address alien
  seaweed.
• Alien species invasions of Hawaiis coral reefs
  are a major threat to the survival of these
  reefs. In some areas, alien seaweeds are
  overgrowing coral reefs and the ecosystem is
  rapidly shifting from diverse coral reefs to a
  seaweed dominant community.

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• The only control mechanism currently available to
  address seaweed present in the reefs is labor
  intensive hand removal of the plants in such a
  way which does not damage the coral and does not
  fragment the seaweed which results in its spread
  to new sites.
• Under the grant program, DLNR will train
  volunteer groups to eradicate alien seaweeds.
  Educational displays warning the public about
  alien seaweeds will be developed for the airports
  and Waikiki Aquarium.

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Clean Water State Revolving Fund

• Since 1995, 28 percent of all CWSRF loan
  agreements have been used to fund nonpoint source
  pollution control projects.
• Also states can use the SRF to implement
  Comprehensive Coastal Management Plans developed
  through EPAs National Estuary Program.

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Eligibility Criteria

• Typical applicants have been municipalities and
  other public organizations. However, more than 15
  states now accept loan applications from
  not-for-profit organizations or private entities.
  
• Oftentimes, not-for-profit organizations partner
  with other state agencies, government loan
  programs, municipalities or banks.

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Application Requirements

• EPA must receive the state/territories proposals
  by June 30. Therefore, you should contact your
  state/territory representative to coordinate the
  appropriate process and timeline.
• You may contact Normando Colon at [phone].

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Example

• Winona Wetlands Purchase
• The City of Port Townsend, Washington was able to
  meet both storm water management objectives and a
  wetlands preservation goal by obtaining funding
  from Washington's SRF to purchase an area known
  as the Winona Wetlands. This wetland acts as a
  critical storm water basin for the area and
  provides valuable wildlife habitat.

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Environmental Education Grants

• The goal of the program is to support
  environmental education (EE) projects that
  enhance the publics awareness, knowledge, and
  skills to make informed and responsible decisions
  that affect environmental quality.

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Eligibility Criteria

• Colleges and universities, local and tribal
  education agencies, state education or
  environmental agencies, not-for-profit
  organizations, and non-commercial educational
  broadcasting entities are eligible to apply for
  funds under the program.

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Application Requirements

• Factors considered in making final selections
  include
• .. cost-effectiveness
• .. effectiveness of collaboration and
  partnerships
• .. environmental or educational importance of
  the project
• .. effectiveness of delivery methods
• .. methods for evaluating and improving project
• .. measurable results
• .. geographic distribution of projects

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Funding Amounts

• Since 1992, EPA has received between 2 and 3
  million in grant funding per year and has awarded
  nearly 2,900 grants. Grantees are located in all
  50 states and various U.S. territories.
• In 2004, a total of 178 grants were given for a
  total amount of 2,780,786.

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Geographic Distribution
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Geographic Distribution Region 2
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Example

• Sea Life Park Marine Research Education
  Foundation    5,000Beach Detectives -
  Investigating Marine EnvironmentsThis grant
  supports a project that combines nine teacher
  training workshops with a one-hour educational
  television program "KidScience" to present a
  curriculum for fifth and sixth graders that
  identifies sources and impacts of pollution
  affecting beach and marine environments.
  Follow-up class field trips take participants to
  community beach sites to implement the "Beach
  Detectives" curriculum and activities. Data
  collected from student beach research is posted
  on the KidScience Internet home page.

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• Tropical Reforestation and Ecosystems Education
  (TREE) Center    12,310
• Environmental Restoration in Hawaii
• The Tropical Reforestation and Ecosystems
  Education (TREE) Center on the island of Hawaii
  is conducting an adult education program on
  environmental issues affecting the native
  Hawaiian habitat. The grant provides funding for
  classroom lectures, hands-on projects on how to
  propagate endemic Hawaiian plants, field study,
  and a case study project to restore habitat with
  native plants. Restoration work is designed to
  assist in the completion of the interpretive site
  at the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.

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Clean Water Act Section 319(h)Nonpoint Source
Implementation Grants

• This program supports the establishment of the
  State Nonpoint Source Management Program. The
  Nonpoint Source Management Program is intended to
  assist the States and Territories in their
  implementation of their broad array of
  authorities to address all of the water quality
  threats and impairments caused by nonpoint source
  pollution.

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Clean Water Act Section 604(b)Water Quality
Management Planning Program

• Water Quality Management Planning Grants are
  awarded to States to support water quality
  management planning activities.
• Priority is given to watershed restoration
  planning. The grants are authorized by Section
  604(b) of the Clean Water Act and are generally
  awarded to state water quality agencies as
  continuing environmental program agreements.

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Clean Water Act Section 106Water Pollution
Control Program

• This program supports the establishment of the
  State Water Quality Program to control surface
  water pollution.
• Elements of the Water Quality Program include the
  development of Water Quality Standards issuance
  of Water Quality Certificates or where delegated
  the issuance of National Pollutant Discharge
  Elimination System (NPDES) permits enforcement
  development of the bi-annual Water Quality
  Integrated Report (CWA 305(b) Report and CWA
  303(d) list) development and establishment of
  Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL).

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Eligibility Criteria

• Funds under this program are available to State
  and Tribal Agencies.
• Non-Government Organizations are encouraged to
  contact the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality
  Board or the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of
  Environmental Protection to confirm opportunities
  (contracts or grants) for non-government
  organizations in any given Fiscal Year.

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Contacts

• EPA Yasmin Laguer, PPG Project Officer (787)
  977-5848
• PR EQB Ruben Gonzalez, Water Quality Area
  Director [phone]

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Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3)Water Quality
Cooperative Agreements Program

• The grants are used to develop, implement, and
  demonstrate innovative approaches relating to the
  causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction,
  and elimination of water pollution.

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Eligibility Criteria

• Assistance under this program is generally
  available to States, territories, Indian Tribes,
  and possessions of the U.S. (including the
  District of Columbia) public and private
  universities and colleges hospitals
  laboratories and other public or private
  nonprofit institutions and individuals.

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Application Requirements

• Applicants may be requested to demonstrate they
  have appropriate background, academic training,
  experience in the field, and necessary equipment
  to carry out projects.
• There is no match requirement.

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• The funds will support research, investigations,
  experiments, training, demonstration, surveys,
  and studies relating to the prevention,
  reduction, and elimination of water pollution.

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EPA STAR Grants

• National Center for Environmental Researchs
  Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program funds
  research grants and graduate fellowships in
  numerous environmental science and engineering
  disciplines through a competitive solicitation
  process.

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Eligibility Criteria

• STAR Requests for Applications invite research
  proposals from academic and non-profit
  institutions located in the U.S., and state and
  local governments.

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Application Requirements

• Click on the highlighted funding opportunities
  below to view the announcement on screen (HTML). 
  Click on the following for standard STAR grant
  application forms and instructions --
  Forms/Standard Instructions and additional
  Quality Systems Guidance for STAR Grants -- 
  available in MSWord and PDF formats.

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Funding Amounts

• Grants and/or cooperative agreements are expected
  to be awarded in the range of 150,000 - 300,000
  per year for up to three years, contingent on
  availability of funds, progress of the research,
  and programmatic needs.

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Current Opportunities

• Nonlinear Responses to Global Change in Linked
  Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems - Open June
  30, 2005 - September 29, 2005
• STAR Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study
  - Open July 7, 2005 - Closing October 18, 2005,
  400 pm EST

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More information at

• www.epa.gov/ncer/grants/