Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program (PRP)

Program Purpose: Restore the ecological health of Lake Pontchartrain Basin by developing and funding restoration projects and related scientific and public education projects to reduce the risk of pollution.

Authorization: Authorized by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 2000; Clean Water Act, Section 121 which amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. First grant awarded in 2002.

Geographic Focus Area

• Projects must be located within the Lake Pontchartrain Watershed Boundary
• Applicants may be located outside the Basin, but projects must be within the geographic focus area
• Reference EPA's Watershed Boundary page for Basin boundaries

Eligible Project Activities

• Ecosystem and habitat restoration
• Water quality improvements
• Nutrient reduction
• Increased resiliency to environmental changes
• Environmental education & outreach
• Local capacity building to address environmental concerns
• Developing and funding restoration projects and scientific/public education projects
• Implementing plans and studies in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Program Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP)
• Preserving, enhancing or restoring waters for recreational use
• Supporting the Comprehensive Habitat Management Plan (CHMP) for habitat restoration and flood protection

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible entities:

• Federal, state, interstate, and local governments
• Federally recognized Tribal governments
• Regional water pollution control agencies
• Public and nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations
• Public and private institutions of higher education

Not Eligible:

• Private profit-making entities
• Individuals
• Non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995

Contact Information

• Contact: Blair Bourgeois
• Phone: (504) 280-1044
• Email: PRPgrant@thebeachuno.org

Application Process

• Submit application for consideration to participate in the Pontchartrain Restoration Program's Management Conference
• Application link available on program website ("Click Here" link provided)
• Applicants will vote on which restoration and preservation activities and projects should be funded

For more information: Contact the official Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program website or Blair Bourgeois at PRPgrant@thebeachuno.org or (504) 280-1044