Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants

Full Announcement

Notice of Funding Opportunity
Applications Due: Monday, April 20, 2026
Region 08
Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland
Program Development Grants
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-REG08-WPDG-25

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Contents
1. Basic Information .................................................................................................................................. 1
A. Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................... 1
B. Key Information: ............................................................................................................................... 1
C. Key Dates: ......................................................................................................................................... 1
D. Funding Details: ................................................................................................................................ 1
E. Agency Contact Information: ............................................................................................................ 1
F. Other Funding Considerations ........................................................................................................... 2
2. Eligibility ................................................................................................................................................ 2
A. Eligible Applicants ............................................................................................................................. 2
(1) Other Eligibility Requirements .................................................................................................... 3
B. Cost Sharing ...................................................................................................................................... 5
(1) Performance Partnership Grants ................................................................................................ 5
(2) Tribal Match Clause for PPG-eligible Programs .......................................................................... 6
3. Program Description ............................................................................................................................. 6
A. Purpose, Priorities, and Activities ..................................................................................................... 6
B. Program Goals and Objectives ........................................................................................................ 12
C. Statutory Authority ......................................................................................................................... 12
D. Funding Type................................................................................................................................... 12
4. Application Contents and Format ....................................................................................................... 13
A. Application Forms ........................................................................................................................... 13
B. Project Narrative Description.......................................................................................................... 14
C. Applicants Using Contractors .......................................................................................................... 21
D. Release Copies of Applications ....................................................................................................... 21
E. Coalition Coverage .......................................................................................................................... 21
F. Other Program Specific Application Information ............................................................................ 22
5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines ........................................................................................... 23
A. Submission Dates and Times .......................................................................................................... 23
B. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) ............................. 24
C. Submission Instructions .................................................................................................................. 24
D. Technical Issues with Submission ................................................................................................... 24
E. Intergovernmental Review .............................................................................................................. 25
6. Application Review Information.......................................................................................................... 25
A. Responsiveness Review .................................................................................................................. 25
B. Review Criteria ................................................................................................................................ 25
C. Review and Selection Process ......................................................................................................... 28
(1) Other Evaluation Factors ......................................................................................................... 28
D. Risk Review ..................................................................................................................................... 29
7. Award Notices ..................................................................................................................................... 29
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8. Post-Award Requirements and Administration .................................................................................. 29
A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements ......................................................................... 29
B. Reporting ........................................................................................................................................ 29
C. Subaward and Executive Compensation Reporting ........................................................................ 29
9. Other Information ............................................................................................................................... 30
A. Additional Provisions for Applicants ............................................................................................... 30
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1. Basic Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 08
Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants
Wetland Program Development Grant Website
A. Executive Summary
Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) assist state, Tribal,
territory (Insular Areas), local government agencies, and interstate or B. Key Information:
intertribal entities in developing or refining state, Tribal, territory or
Opportunity Number:
local programs that protect, manage and restore wetlands. The goals
of the EPA’s wetland program include increasing the quantity and EPA-REG08-WPDG-25
quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland
Assistance Listing:
acreage and improving wetland condition. In pursuing these goals,
the EPA seeks to develop the capacity of all levels of government to 66.461
develop and/or refine effective, comprehensive programs for
wetland protection and management. This is done using the Core Announcement Type:
Elements of a Wetlands Program, the Wetlands Program Core
Initial
Elements Framework and for states and Tribes the development of
Wetland Program Plans (WPP). Funding Available:
$2,962,000
C. Key Dates:
Number of Awards:
April 6, 2026 Question Submission Deadline
10 - 15
April 20, 2026 11:59 pm ET Application Submission Deadline
April 20, 2026 9:59 pm MT Application Submission Deadline (Local Time)
June 2026 Anticipated Notification of Selection
October 2026 Anticipated Award Notification
D. Funding Details:
It is anticipated that up to 15 awards will be made under this announcement. The amount of funding is
expected to be $1,481,000 - $2,962,000, depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications
received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. Awards funded under this opportunity
are expected to have one to four but not more than five-year project period.
E. Agency Contact Information:
Further information, if needed, may be obtained from the EPA contact(s) indicated below.
Technical Contact: Tamara Barbakova; (303)-312-6970; barbakova.tamara@epa.gov
Regional Contact: Estella Moore; (303)-312-6357; moore.estella@epa.gov
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F. Other Funding Considerations
Up to $2,962,000 may be awarded under this NOFO over approximately one to four years, consisting of
incremental funding of about $1,481,000 per year for two years, contingent on the quality of
applications received, funding availability, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, and
other applicable considerations. Funding each year is not guaranteed. The application should include an
annualized budget and budget detail narrative for the project, and a detailed workplan covering each
year of the project broken down by task.
Under this announcement, EPA will have two separate applicant tracks with state, tribal, and territory
governments in Track One: Wetland Program Plan (WPP) or Track Two: Non-WPP, and local
governments, interstate agencies, intertribal consortia, and colleges and universities that are agencies of
a state government in Track Two: Non-WPP. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $1,777,200 in
federal funds under Track One: WPP and approximately $1,184,800 in federal funds under Track Two:
Non-WPP.
EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed
projects. If EPA decides to partially fund an application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice
any applicants or affect the basis upon which the application was evaluated and selected for award to
maintain the integrity of the competition and selection process.
EPA reserves the right to increase or decrease (including to zero) the total number of awards and dollar
amounts for each track or change the ratio of Track One: WPP to Track Two: Non-WPP assistance
agreements it awards. Such changes may be necessary as a response to the quality of applications
received by EPA, the amount of funds awarded to the selected applicants, or budget availability.
Selection or award of funding under this NOFO is not a guarantee of future funding. EPA reserves the
right to make additional awards under this announcement if additional funding becomes available after
the original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than 6
months after the original selection decisions.
2. Eligibility
A. Eligible Applicants
Only these types of organizations may apply:
• Indian Tribe.
• State & Local Governments.
• Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs).
• Interstate agencies.
• Intertribal consortia.
As described in Assistance Listing number (66.461) in the “Applicant Eligibility” section, this
includes state agencies; any agency or instrumentality of local government; interstate agencies;
federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia; colleges and universities that are agencies
of a state. "For profit" organizations, federal agencies, and individuals are not eligible applicants.
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(1) Other Eligibility Requirements
Applications must meet the following threshold criteria and those found in Section 6.A to be considered
eligible:
1. Applications must include activities taking place within states, Tribes and territories within EPA
Region 08 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY) or Tribal lands located within those states. Inter-
jurisdictional watershed projects must primarily be conducted in EPA Region 08.
2. All applications submitted under this NOFO, regardless of track, must be for projects that
develop or refine state, Tribal, territory or local government wetland programs. All applicants
must demonstrate in their application how the proposed project will develop or refine a state,
Tribal, territory or local government wetland program according to the requirements of the track
the application falls under. The two tracks are described below and further in Section 3.A: Track
Concept.
• Track One: WPP Applicants must demonstrate 1) how they will develop or update a
Wetland Program Plan, or 2) reference one or more grant-eligible action(s) from an EPA-
approved Wetland Program Plan they plan to undertake as part of the proposed project.
• Track Two: Non-WPP Applicants must demonstrate 1) which objectives and associated
action(s) from Appendix A: Core Element Framework FY25 Grant Eligible Actions their
application is developing or refining, or 2) if the applicant is an interstate agency or
intertribal consortia, by referencing one or more grant-eligible action(s) from an EPA-
approved Wetland Program Plan they plan to undertake as part of the proposed project.
3. Applications must not request more than $500,000.
4. Applicants may submit more than one application under this announcement under the
applicable tracks. Each application must be separately submitted and be for a different project.
Applications will be evaluated separately.
5. In addition, state, Tribal and territorial government applicants may submit separate applications
for different projects under Track One: WPP or Track Two: Non-WPP. Local governments,
interstate organization and intertribal consortia can only apply under Track Two: Non-WPP. Each
application must be submitted under either Track One: WPP or Track Two: Non-WPP.
6. Applicants cannot submit one application covering both tracks. If an applicant indicates that an
application covers both tracks, the application will be rejected. If an applicant submits an
application under the wrong track, the EPA will determine the most appropriate track in which to
evaluate the application.
7. All applications submitted under this NOFO must conduct or promote the coordination and
acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and
studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention,
reduction and elimination of water pollution as described in Section 3.C: Statutory Authority, of
this announcement.
8. Demonstration projects must involve new or experimental technologies, methods or
approaches, where the results of the project will be disseminated so that others can benefit
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from the knowledge gained in the demonstration project. A project that is accomplished through
the performance of routine, traditional or established practices, or a project that is simply
intended to carry out a task rather than transfer information or advance the state of knowledge,
is not a demonstration and all or parts of the application will be eliminated from consideration.
Such projects are implementation projects and are not eligible for funding under this
announcement. Individual project tasks that are for program implementation are not eligible for
funding. Only education and training on restoration or restoration involving new, experimental or
demonstrative methods are eligible. (See also Section 4.B.3 on limitations for demonstration
projects).
9. The lease of vehicles is eligible for funding under this program but must be described in the
budget detail and linked to project activities.
10. Applicants must comply with the cost share requirement in Section 2.B.
Ineligible Activities
If an application is submitted with ineligible tasks, that portion of the application will be ineligible for
funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire
application ineligible for funding. Below is a list of ineligible tasks.
1. Wetland program implementation projects are not eligible for funding under this
announcement. An implementation project is accomplished through the performance of
routine, traditional or established practices, or a project that is simply intended to carry out a
task rather than transfer information or advance the state of knowledge. However
worthwhile the implementation project might be, such a project is not considered a
demonstration project, which is eligible.
2. Fundraising, honorarium or the purchase of land or conservation easements are ineligible.
3. Application project tasks that are required by a previous or pending permit, e.g., CWA Section
404 permit, CWA Section 402 permit, CWA Section 401 certification, or federal, state, Tribal or
local government regulatory requirement(s) are not eligible for funding because they are
implementation tasks.
4. Wetland restoration training projects cannot include wetlands constructed only for the
purposes of treating wastewater or stormwater.
5. Implementation of individual mitigation projects, mitigation banks or in-lieu-fee mitigation
programs are not eligible for funding. Applications that carry out studies that may be part of
an in-lieu-fee program/instrument are eligible for funding, but the actual creation of an in-
lieu-fee instrument is not eligible for funding.
6. Purchase of vehicles (e.g., cars, boats, motor homes, etc.) and office furniture are not eligible
for funding under this program.
7. Restoration of wetlands through conventional methods is ineligible.
Please see Section 6 for additional threshold criteria.
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B. Cost Sharing
Applicants must demonstrate in their proposal how it will meet the cost share requirement, a minimum
of 25 percent of the total project cost, to be considered eligible. Selected recipients must comply with 2
CFR 200.306 when meeting a cost share requirement.
The cost share must be for allowable costs and may be provided by the applicant, by the applicant’s
subrecipient or other third parties. The cost share may be provided in cash or by in-kind contributions.
In-kind contributions often include salaries, equipment or other verifiable costs and this value must be
carefully documented. In the case of salaries, applicants may use either minimum wage or fair market
value.
If the cost share is provided by a subrecipient, the subrecipient’s contribution must comply with 2 CFR
200.306. Any indirect costs included in the subrecipients’ cost share contribution must be determined
consistently with 2 CFR 200.332(b)(4). Successful applicants are still responsible for proper accounting
and documentation of cost share contributions. Other federal grants may not be used as cost share
without specific statutory authority. All grant funds are subject to a federal audit.
The total project cost is the sum of the total requested federal share and applicant cost share. The
minimum cost share is determined by dividing the total project cost by four or by dividing the total
federal funds requested by three, as illustrated by the following formula:
Total Project Cost ($) = minimum cost share ($)
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For example, if the total project cost (sum of federal and non-federal funds) is $100,000, the applicant
must be able to provide $25,000 in cash or in-kind contributions as cost share/match.
OR
Total Federal Funds Requested ($) = minimum cost share ($)
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For example, if the total federal funds requested are $75,000, the applicant must be able to provide
$25,000 in cash or in-kind contributions as cost share.
A cost share/match calculator can be found at the WPDG website at Cost Share Calculator.
(1) Performance Partnership Grants
Funds for a grant awarded under this NOFO may be included in a Performance Partnership Agreement
(PPG). Applicants should indicate in their application submission if they anticipate incorporating the
proposed project, if selected for funding, into an already existing PPG or if they intend to create a new
PPG that would include the project proposed under this funding opportunity.
For further information regarding cost share requirements for awards included in PPG, see the final rules
on Environmental Program Grants for state and interstate agencies at 40 CFR Part 35, Subpart A and
Tribes and intertribal consortia at 40 CFR Part 35, Subpart B. Local governments are not eligible for PPGs.
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(2) Tribal Match Clause for PPG-eligible Programs
NO REQUIRED TRIBAL COST SHARE UNDER A PERFORMANCE PARTNERSHIP GRANT (PPG)
If a Tribe or intertribal consortium includes the funds for a grant awarded under this NOFO in an
approved PPG, there is no cost-share requirement. If the applicant plans to include their grant in a PPG,
the applicant should:
• Prepare a budget and proposed work-plan based upon the assumption that the EPA will approve
the budget and work plan without cost share included.
• Be aware that if the grant awarded under this NOFO is not included in a PPG the Tribe or
intertribal consortium must meet the applicable cost share requirements identified in
Section 2.B. The federal award amount will be reduced by the required cost share
amount and the total project cost will remain the same.
3. Program Description
A. Purpose, Priorities, and Activities
Program Purpose
The goals of the 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, as indicated in Assistance Listing number (66.461), the EPA seeks to develop the capacity of all
levels of government to develop and/or refine effective, comprehensive programs for wetland
protection and management.
Wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and
duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of
vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. For this grant program, the term
wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas as described in Cowardin et al.
1979.
WPDGs provide states, Tribes, territories, interstate agencies, intratribal consortia, local governments
and universities that are agencies of a state (hereafter referred to as applicants or recipients) an
opportunity to develop and/or refine comprehensive state, Tribal, territory and to a lesser extent local
government wetland programs. These programs are meant to:
• Develop the capacity of states, Tribes and territories 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 actions from Appendix A: Core Element Framework FY25 Grant Eligible
Actions to achieve this goal.
Appendix A: Core Element Framework FY25 Grant Eligible Actions provides objectives and program
development and refinement actions that are eligible for WPDG funding.
Wetland mapping and monitoring projects are eligible for funding under this announcement as they are
considered studies or investigations that develop or refine state, Tribal, territory or local government
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programs to research, investigate, experiment, train, demonstrate, survey and study the causes, effects,
extent, prevention, reduction and elimination of water pollution. Mapping projects are required to meet
the Federal Geographic Data Committee Wetlands Mapping Standards (see Section 4.F.3).
Proposed projects must comply with all state, Tribal, territory, local and federal regulations applicable to
the project area. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure compliance.
Program Priority
The EPA has found that long-term wetland planning (e.g., Wetland Program Plans) helps states, Tribes
and territories develop their wetland programs more effectively and efficiently; therefore, the EPA is
emphasizing Wetland Program Plans as a national priority.
Track Concept
Under this announcement, the EPA will have two separate applicant tracks for eligible applicants.
1. States, Tribes and territories can apply under Track One: WPP or Track Two: Non-WPP.
2. Interstate agencies, intertribal consortia, local governments and colleges and universities
that are agencies of a state can only apply under Track Two: Non-WPP.
Track One: WPP-eligible-applicants will only be ranked against other Track One: WPP-eligible applicants.
Track Two: Non-WPP-eligible applicants will only be ranked against other Track Two: Non-WPP-eligible
applicants. See Section 6.B for further information.
Track One: WPPs (state, Tribal or territory applicants only)
Under Track One: WPP - states, Tribes and territories must submit applications for either 1) carrying out
grant-eligible actions from a current EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan or 2) developing or updating
a Wetland Program Plan (and, if they so choose, also carrying out actions that develop or refine a
wetland program described in Appendix A: Core Element Framework FY25 Grant Eligible Actions). If a
state, Tribe or territory submits any other type of application (e.g., not having a Wetland Program Plan,
having an expired Wetland Program Plan, not planning to develop or update a Wetland Program Plan),
they will automatically be included and evaluated under Track Two: Non-WPP as long as the application
meets the threshold eligibility requirements delineated in Sections 2 and 6.
Wetland Program Plans. Wetland Program Plans are voluntary plans developed by state, Tribal or
territorial agencies that articulate what the state, Tribe or territory wants to accomplish with their
wetland programs over time. Wetland Program Plans describe overall program goals along with broad-
based actions and more specific activities that will help achieve the goals. Timelines for plans vary
between three to six years, with more specific timeframes typically associated with the plan’s
actions/activities.
Wetland Program Plans should include the following five minimum components:
1. An overall goal statement(s) for the program over the period covered by the Wetland
Program Plan.
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2. An overall timeframe for the plan, with a minimum timeframe of three years starting from
the time of the Wetland Program Plan submittal to the EPA.
3. A list of planned actions that the program intends to carry out over the Wetland Program
Plan’s timeframe which, if collectively met, will accomplish the overall Wetland Program
Plan goal(s). Suggested actions can be found in the Core Elements Framework.
4. An intended schedule for the achievement of each action.
5. A listing of more specific activities to be accomplished under each action.
Wetland Program Plans do not need to be elaborate documents. An effective Wetland Program Plan
may be a concise list of planned actions to help create a focused and sustainable wetland program.
A Wetland Program Plan can refer to both wetland program implementation and program
development efforts planned for the upcoming three to six years. Please note, however, that
program implementation efforts are not eligible for WPDG funding. Wetland Program Plans should
also include any actions the state, Tribe or territory anticipates funding through sources other than
WPDGs. Wetland Program Plans are approved by the EPA in a process that is independent of the
WPDG application process. The EPA-approved state, Tribal or territory Wetland Program Plans can
be found at: State and Tribal Wetland-Program Plans.
Wetland Program Plan versus WPDG application. As described above, a Wetland Program Plan is a plan
that outlines the goals, broad actions and activities that a state, Tribal or territory wetland program may
want to undertake to develop or refine its wetland program. A WPDG application is a more detailed set
of projects and tasks that an eligible applicant may undertake over the next year or two to develop
actions or activities in an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan.
If a state, Tribe or territory already has a current EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan, they may submit
an application to carry out grant-eligible actions in their approved Wetland Program Plan. The state,
Tribe or territory must indicate in their application(s) which of the development or refinement actions
from their EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan they intend to carry out.
If a state, Tribe or territory does not have an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan or if their EPA-
approved Wetland Program Plan is expiring, they may apply to develop/update a Wetland Program Plan.
In addition to developing a Wetland Program Plan, a state, Tribe or territory may want to include in their
application other program developing or refining tasks to undertake while also developing their Wetland
Program Plan. The state, Tribe or territory must indicate in their WPDG application, which associated
action(s) the project will take, as described in Appendix A: Core Element Framework FY25 Grant Eligible
Actions.
A state, Tribe or territory may apply to refine an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan if the plan needs
significant changes. A Wetland Program Plan may be refined when the plan has not expired or is not
about to expire but additional changes may need to be made to update the Wetland Program Plan as a
whole or in part because of more recent developments in the state, Tribal or territory wetland program.
States, Tribes or territories submitting applications to develop or revise a Wetland Program Plan under
Track 1: WPP may want to include travel support and meeting set-up and facilitation support to hold
meetings for state, Tribal or territory agencies, stakeholders and/or others. Alternative training
workshops due to the impacts of natural disasters and/or health emergencies may include switching
from in-person formats to virtual only.
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Funds awarded under this announcement for wetland meetings/training workshops may be used by
recipients to promote participation and to support the travel expenses of non-federal personnel.
Assistance funds may be used by the successful applicant to defray transportation and subsistence
expenses for non-federal attendees at training sessions, roundtables or workgroup meetings. The
applicant will select meeting locations, secure meeting facilities (e.g., meeting rooms, accommodations,
audio-visual equipment) and develop meeting agendas and materials. The successful applicant will use
their logo on any corresponding materials; the EPA will use its logo on any corresponding materials. The
applicant is solely responsible for determining a methodology for selecting and funding reimbursement
requests and providing a report on how participating non-federal attendees benefited from the
meetings. The EPA will not participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel
assistance.
Track Two: Non-WPP Applications (states, Tribes, territories, local government, interstate agencies,
intertribal consortium, and universities that are an agency of a state)
Under Track Two, states, Tribes, territories, interstate agencies, intertribal consortia and universities
that are agencies of a state must submit applications that will develop or refine a state’s, Tribe’s or
territory’s wetland program by either carrying out one or more action(s): 1) from Appendix A: Core
Element Framework FY5 Grant Eligible Activities or 2) that advance the grant-eligible actions articulated
in an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan. Applicants must indicate in their applications which
associated action(s) their project would take from Appendix A: Core Element Framework FY25 Grant
Eligible Actions. If the applicant is an interstate agency, intertribal consortium, local government or an
university that is an agency of a state and is carrying out an action(s) from an EPA-approved state, Tribal
or territory Wetland Program Plan they must indicate which EPA-approved state, Tribal or territory
Wetland Program Plan they are working from, which actions(s) their project would develop or refine
from the Wetland Program Plan.
Examples of how to link to an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan include, but are not limited to:
• In their EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan, a state, Tribe or territory proposes to develop
regulations on groundwater withdrawals in areas surrounding vital wetlands. To link to this
Wetland Program Plan, an interstate agency, intertribal consortium, local government or
university that is an agency of a state may propose to study the effect of groundwater
withdrawals on types of wetlands common in the state, Tribe or territory and provide the
results of the study to the state, Tribe or territory. The goal would be to inform the
regulations governing groundwater withdrawals in areas near vital wetlands.
• In their EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan, a state, Tribe or territory proposes to survey
wetlands identified in its existing wetland inventory to verify location, hydric conditions and
wetland type. To link to this Wetland Program Plan, an interstate agency, intertribal
consortium, local government or university that is an agency of a state proposes to perform
this verification within an area of the state, Tribe or territory.
Program Activities
1. Project Need and Environmental Benefits
It is important to describe specific aspects of your geographic area, specific threats affecting your
wetlands, streams, or other aquatic resources and how this issue will be addressed by the
development of a Wetland Program Plan or through the action(s) you have described in the
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application. Additional information on the description of need and how it will be evaluated can be
found in Section 4.B.2.a. and Section 6.B.a.
In addition, please indicate the environmental benefit(s) associated with your project from the list
below along with a short description of how the project meets one of these benefits.
• Addresses water quality and/or quantity challenges, improves habitat or prevents or reduces
nonpoint source pollution.
• Reduces, minimizes or avoids wetland losses or impacts.
• Expands research or education and develops wetland assessment tools for wetland restoration
and protection.
• Expands the adaptive capacity of communities, wildlife and plants to be resilient.
• Deepens community engagement or use of wetlands for recreational and cultural purposes.
If you feel your project does not fall under one of these benefits, please indicate the environmental
benefit of your project with a short description.
2. Transfer of Results
Active transfer of project results (outputs/outcomes), lessons learned and/or methods to other
states, Tribes, territories or local governments and agencies within and beyond their own
organization is extremely important so that others can better develop their wetland programs.
Transfer of results can occur during or after the grant period. Additional information on this section
of the application and how it will be evaluated can be found in Section 4.B.2.f: Transfer of Results
and Section 6.B.h.
3. Project Partners
Effective partnerships are important for the success of projects solicited under this announcement.
In their applications, applicants should identify appropriate and necessary partnerships to
successfully conduct the project. Applications will be evaluated based on their partnerships
described in Section 4.B.2.i: Partnership Information and Section 6.B.k.
4. Environmental Results
Applicants are required to describe how funding will help EPA achieve outputs and outcomes in
their responses to the criteria in Section 6. Outputs and outcomes specific to each project will be
identified as deliverables in the negotiated workplan if the application is selected for award.
Recipients will be expected to report progress toward the attainment of expected project outputs
and outcomes during the project performance period. Outputs and outcomes are defined as
follows:
Outputs are an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an
environmental goal or objective that will be produced or provided over time or by a specified date.
Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during the project period. The
expected outputs for the grants awarded under these guidelines may include but are not limited to:
• Development of state, Tribal, or territory Wetland Progrm Plan (WPP) (described in Section
3.A., Track One: WPP Applications) (All Core Elements).
• Development of training materials and tools to help state, Tribal, territory and local
government decisionmakers integrate wetland protection and restoration into integrated
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watershed planning. The project can and is encouraged to incorporate Traditional Ecological
Knowledge (Voluntary Restoration/Protection and/or Regulatory Core Elements).
• Development of wetland maps directly or by supporting wetland mapping coalitions that may
also incorporate traditionally important and sacred species identification in the wetland types
(All Core Elements).
• Development of strategies that consider hazard mitigation/flood/drought planning and
resiliency into wetland restoration and protection (Voluntary Restoration and Protection Core
Element, Regulatory Core Element).
• Development of a report on the ambient condition of wetland resources at a state, Tribal,
territory, local or population scale and may include traditionally important and sacred species,
sites, etc. (Monitoring and Assessment Core Element).
• Development of a permit program to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the
United States or waters of the state, Tribe or territory. This permit program can include the
assumption of the CWA Section 404 permitting program or development of a state, Tribal,
territory or local permitting program (Regulatory Core Element).
• Development of a water quality certification program under CWA Section 401 (Regulatory Core
Element).
• Development of strategies to integrate goals of wetland protection and restoration programs
or activities into water reuse planning (Voluntary Restoration/Protection and/or Regulatory
Core Elements).
• Development of methods or strategies to incorporate wetland water quality standards into the
EPA approved state or Tribal water quality standards and may include traditional and cultural
uses (Wetland-specific Water Quality Standard Core Element).
• Development of methods and studies to address at-risk or vulnerable wetland ecosystems,
aquatic resources and wetland-dependent priority species due to hazard
mitigation/flooding/drought impacts and resilience into wetland protection and watershed
planning (Monitoring and Assessment Core Element).
• Development of education and outreach materials for wetland staff, Tribal members, the public
and other sectors (All of the Core Elements).
• Development of tools or procedures, or studies and programs, to evaluate the ecological
performance of compensatory mitigation projects (e.g., mitigation banks, in-lieu fee projects
and permittee-responsible mitigation) and incorporate the results/findings/lessons learned into
future compensatory mitigation project decision-making to help determine mitigation program
success (Regulatory Core Element).
Outcomes are the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out the activities under
the grant. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic; must be
qualitative or quantitative; and may not necessarily be achievable during the project period. EPA
anticipates the outcomes from the projects awarded under this announcement may be an increase
in the capacity to:
• Increase quantity of wetlands.
• Increase quality of wetlands.
• Improve wetland protection efforts.
• Increase stakeholder’s and decisionmaker’s understanding of a wetland’s condition for a variety
of uses/functions, including on traditional and cultural uses.
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• Increase stakeholder’s and decisionmaker’s understanding of wetland ecologic condition
and/or function at population scales (i.e., community or regional).
• Increase stakeholder’s and decisionmaker’s understanding of the impacts of increased
flooding/drought and/or resilience-building actions on wetlands.
• Improve wetland inventories and baseline condition assessments to address hazard
mitigation/flood/drought effects.
• Improve data to use in modeling potential hydrologic change, ecosystem/biogeographic shifts,
wetland losses or wetland increases on the landscape that can be used to inform stakeholders
and decisionmakers.
• Increase stakeholder’s and decisionmaker’s understanding of how to develop a CWA Section
404 state or Tribal regulatory program.
• Increase stakeholder’s and decisionmaker’s understanding of how to develop a CWA Section
401 state or Tribal water quality certification program or CWA Section 401(a)(2) state or Tribal
neighboring jurisdiction program.
• Increase stakeholder’s and decisionmaker’s knowledge through training and outreach for state,
Tribal, territory or local wetland staff, the public, at-risk communities and/or other partners.
• Improve baseline information on wetland extent, condition and performance to inform state,
Tribal, territory or local regulatory programs.
• Increase stakeholder’s and decisionmaker’s understanding of the ecological success of
compensatory mitigation and use to inform stakeholders and decisionmakers.
For reference, a list of previously funded projects is posted in the EPA’s Wetland Grants Database.
B. Program Goals and Objectives
The activities to be funded under this funding announcement as described in Assistance Listing 66.461
support Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every America and Pillar 3: Permitting Reform,
Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership of Administrator Zeldin's Five Pillars.
C. Statutory Authority
The statutory authority for WPDGs is Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1254(b)(3).
Section 104(b)(3) of the CWA restricts the use of these funds to developing or refining wetland programs
by conducting or promoting the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments,
training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention,
reduction and elimination of pollution. Projects that are demonstrations must involve new or
experimental technologies, methods or approaches to be eligible for WPDGs. The EPA expects that the
results of each project will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained in the
demonstration project.
D. Funding Type
It is anticipated that cooperative agreements will be funded under this funding opportunity.
Cooperative agreements provide for substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the
selected applicant(s) in the performance of the work supported. Although the EPA will negotiate precise
terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated
substantial federal involvement for these projects may include:
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• Close monitoring of the successful applicant’s performance to verify the results proposed by the
applicant.
• Collaboration during performance of the scope of work.
• In accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318, review of proposed procurement;
• Approving qualifications of key personnel (the EPA will not select employees or contractors
employed by the award recipient); and
• Review and comment on reports prepared under the cooperative agreement (the final decision
on the content of reports rests with the recipient).
The EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the recipient. The
final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient.
4. Application Contents and Format
A. Application Forms
The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:
Mandatory Documents:
1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
Complete the form. There are no attachments.
2. Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
Complete the form. The total amount of federal funding requested for the project period
should be shown on line 5(e) and on line 6(k) of the SF 424A. If indirect costs are included,
the amount of indirect costs should be entered on line 6(j). The indirect cost rate (i.e., a
percentage), the base (e.g., personnel costs and fringe benefits) and the total indirect
amount should also be indicated on line 22. In Section B: Budget Categories row 1, column
(e) should be filled out for federal funds, row 1 column (f) should be filled out for non-
federal cost-share and row 5 should be filled out for total project costs (federal funds, non-
federal cost share and project total).
3. EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54
Complete the form. Attach additional forms as needed.
4. EPA Form 4700-4 Preaward Compliance Review Report
Complete the form. Tips for filling out this form can be found at Tips Completing the EPA
Form 4700-4.
5. Project Narrative Attachment Form: use this to submit your Project Narrative
See description for the Project Narrative in Section 4.B. below.
Optional Documents:
6. Other Attachments Form: Use this to submit other attachments, if applicable
Use this to submit other attachments, including the applicant’s Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate
Agreement as applicable; Letters of Commitment; biographical sketches of major project
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managers, support staff members, other major project participants; Quality
Assurance/Quality Control documents; and others if applicable.
You may provide some or all the optional attachments listed below. The optional
attachments identified below are not included in the 26-page limit for the project
narrative. Attachments (some are discussed above) may include the following:
a. Pictures and Maps
Pictures and/or maps may be attached to describe the project.
b. Staff Resumes
Staff resumes may be included to describe the experience of relevant applicant staff and
should not be more than approximately two pages per person.
c. Letters of Commitment
Letters of commitment may be useful in demonstrating support for applications
submitted under either Track One: WPP or Track Two: Non-WPP. All letters of
commitment should be on the official letterhead of the agency or organization and
should be addressed to the applicant. Letters of commitment may be attached to verify
for example:
• Partners’ support/commitment/use for the project.
• Cost share or other resources provided by partners.
• How partners/others will make use of the project’s results.
Partners who will be providing cost share should describe the resources (in-kind services
or dollars) that they are committing to the project for each task and budget category
(see item viii. Detailed Budget under the Project Description Section, above).
For ease of review, the EPA encourages applicants not to attach full documents such as
surveys, studies or journal articles. Excerpts (title page plus only relevant pages) and/or
links from documents are acceptable and encouraged. The items listed directly above
are not subject to the Project Narrative page limit.
7. Budget Narrative Attachment Form
Use this form to submit optional budget narrative. This will be considered part of the page
limit if utilized.
The Project Narrative must be no more than twenty-six (26) double-spaced 8.5 x 11-inch pages (a page
is one side of paper) or thirteen (13) single-spaced pages except for documents specifically excluded
from the page limit as noted above.
Pages should be consecutively numbered and it is recommended that applicants use a standard 12-point
type with 0.75-inch margins and that applicants format their Project Narrative as described below for
ease of reading.
Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in
application format, including selecting a legible font type and size for use in the application.
B. Project Narrative Description
The EPA encourages applicants to organize the Project Narrative based on the outlined sections (1-5)
below.
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Budget information and the milestone schedule, described below, must be included within the Project
Narrative page limit (26 page double-spaced or 13 page single-spaced), and not in the supporting
materials or appendix.
Any supporting materials (such as Letters of Commitment from partners, annotated resumes and
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plans) that the applicant chooses to provide are not included in the
26-page double-spaced limit for the Project Narrative and should be submitted as attachments. See
Section 4.A.6., above, for a discussion of optional supporting materials. When possible, please submit all
supporting materials as one electronic file, such as but not limited to, PDF.
The 26-page double-spaced Project Narrative must include the information listed below in items 1-5
and address the relevant evaluation criteria in Section 6.B for either Track One: WPP or Track Two: Non-
WPP as applicable. The Project Narrative must also address the threshold eligibility factors in Sections 2
and 6 as applicable. If a particular item is not applicable, the application should clearly state this.
1. Cover Page (included in the page limit) with:
a. Project Title (the project title should reflect the main project outcome/objective and
should be 15 words or less).
b. Indicate whether the applicant is in Track One: WPP or Track Two: Non-WPP.
i. Track One: WPP Applicants: indicate if they will develop a Wetland Program Plan
(optional: also list actions described in Appendix A: Core Element Framework
FY25 Grant Eligible Actions, or identify one or more grant-eligible action(s) from
an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan.
ii. Track Two: Non-WPP Applicants: list action(s) (see Appendix A: Core Element
Framework FY25 Grant Eligible Actions) they plan to complete. Intertribal
consortium applicant can reference one or more grant eligible action(s) from an
EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan.
c. Name of applicant and applicant’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
d. Key personnel and contact information (i.e., e-mail address and phone number).
e. Geographic Location - 8- or 14-digit Hydrologic Unit Code(s) with watershed name(s) if
the project is not located across the entire state, Tribe, territory or local government
with weblink provided. If the project is local in scale, provide the name of the city or
county, state, Tribe and/or zip code.
f. Total project cost, federal dollars requested and cost share (if the award will be placed
in a PPG, please indicate that as well).
g. Abstract/project summary. The abstract should begin with one or two sentences
describing the main objective of the application. It should also include a list of the main
tasks to be accomplished and a description of the final product(s). The entire abstract
should be 250 words or less.
2. Project Description - Please address the following categories (a-j) outlined below.
Applications will be evaluated according to the selection criteria described in Section 6.B.
a. Project Need and Environmental Benefit
i. Project Need
Describe the need for the project as it pertains to developing or refining
wetland program(s). The description should include:
• The threats affecting your wetlands/streams/aquatic resources.
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• The need for the proposed actions.
• How the deliverables will lead to an increase in the quality and quantity of
wetlands.
Describe specific aspects of your geographic area, specific adverse issues your
wetlands face and how this issue will be addressed by the development of a
Wetland Program Plan or through the action(s) you have described in the
application.
Beyond a narrative description of the need for the project, some examples of
ways to provide additional information that the project is needed by an
applicant or that the applicant at least exercised due diligence to further
demonstrate state, Tribal, territory, or local government need for the project
include (but are not limited to):
• Letters of Commitment from state(s), Tribe(s), territory(ies) or local
government(s) indicating their support, need, or use for the project’s
deliverables.
• Documentation of the responses from efforts made to reach out to states,
Tribes, territories or local governments with respect to project need. Such
documentation could include dates of e-mails, letters, or phone calls and
the title(s) of the person(s) the applicant reached.
• Citing results of surveys or studies that show a clear need for the proposed
outputs and outcomes.
• Citing activities articulated in an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan.
ii. Environmental Benefit
Indicate one or more of the listed Environmental Benefits from Section 3.A.1 or
if it does not meet one of the listed benefits a description of another
Environmental Benefit the project will meet and describe how the project will
meet that benefit.
b. Project Tasks
Describe the steps you will take to meet the project product/output(s) and objective(s).
Describe the projects tasks or components and the anticipated products/outputs
associated with each task. Include a description of the roles and responsibilities of the
applicant. If the development of a methodology is part of the proposed project, then
describe the planned development steps. If travel assistance is to be provided for non-
Federal attendees, describe the process for selecting non-Federal attendees who may
receive travel assistance.
c. Milestone Schedule and Timely Expenditure of Grant Funds
i. Milestone Schedule - Provide a milestone schedule covering each year of the
entire project/budget period. Include a breakout of the project tasks into phases
with associated tasks and products/outputs. Include the anticipated dates for
the start and completion of each task including transfer of results. Provide
interim milestone dates for achieving each workplan component.
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ii. Timely Expenditure of Grant Funds - Include an approach, procedures and
controls for ensuring that awarded grant funds will be expended in a timely and
efficient manner.
d. Detailed Budget
Provide a detailed budget and estimated funding amounts for each project task. Please
see the EPA’s Budget Development Guidance, which includes a sample budget.
Additional sample budgets can be found at on our Frequently Asked Questions website.
Specific guidance for Tribes can be found in GPI 13-02, Streamlining Tribal Grants
Management, with a sample budget at the end of the document.
Also, indicate whether funds will be added to a PPG (there is no required cost-share
under a PPG). States, Tribes and territories should indicate in their application
submission if they anticipate including this project, if selected for funding, into an
existing PPG or if they intend to create a new PPG that would include this wetland
project.
Budget information may be provided in table format if the applicant chooses, but all
budget information must be included within the page limit.
If travel for staff is planned for the project, indicate it in the budget. Include travel for
applicant staff to attend wetland meetings/training workshops throughout the
proposed project period that are related in scope to the application. If applicable, the
budget workplan for the “other” cost category must include travel reimbursement to
pay for travel costs of non-Federal attendees.
While contractual and subaward efforts may be part of an applicant’s application, each
WPDG recipient must be significantly involved in administering the award. Note that any
proposed subawards or contracts between partners for non-commercial services should
be included in the “other” cost category of the SF-424A.
Any optional Letters of Commitment you wish to provide, from intended cost share
partners should be attached to your application as supporting documents. Letters of
Commitment are not counted in the 26-page double-spaced limit for the Project
Narrative. The letters should be submitted on the organization’s letterhead and may be
addressed to the applicant. For more discussion of Letters of Commitment, see Section
4.A.6.
Note that additional budgetary guidelines apply to projects that are required to meet
the Federal Geographic Data Committee Wetlands Mapping Standards (see Section 4.F.,
below).
e. Transfer of Results
Describe the applicant’s plan for active transfer of project results (outputs/outcomes),
lessons learned and/or methods to other states, Tribes, territories or local governments and
agencies within and beyond their own organization, so that the others can better develop
their wetland programs. Transfer of Results can occur during or after the grant period.
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Examples of ways to demonstrate how the project may be used by another state, Tribe,
territory or local government or agency include:
• Presenting results at forums typically attended by representatives from states, Tribes,
territory or local government wetland programs.
• Documenting how you intend to share results with a relevant state, Tribal, territory or
local government wetland program.
• Submitting map data to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for incorporation within the
publicly available Wetlands Mapper.
• Conducting a webinar or other outreach to states, Tribes, territories or local
governments at relevant conferences.
• Sharing results on a website and sharing the website address with relevant
organizations.
Successful applicants are expected to present project results at an EPA Wetland Program
meeting, workshop or webinar. The proposed budget should reflect travel costs, as
appropriate during the grant period.
Alternative training workshops, due to the impacts of natural disasters, health emergencies,
or other reasons may include switching from in-person formats to online only.
f. Environmental Results: Outputs, Outcomes and Tracking
This information may be provided in table or narrative form.
i. Environmental Results (link to Administrator Zeldin’s Five Pillars)
Describe how the activities to be funded under this funding announcement
support Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every America and/or Pillar 3:
Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership of
Administrator Zeldin's Five Pillars.
ii. Outputs (products/deliverables)
List and describe the output(s) expected to be achieved through the completion
of the proposed project (examples of outputs can be found in Section 3.A.5).
iii. Outcomes (objectives/environmental improvements)
List and describe the short and long-term outcome(s) (i.e., environmental
improvements) expected to be achieved as a result of the project output(s)
(examples of outcomes can be found in Section 3.A.5).
iv. Tracking Outputs and Outcomes
Describe your approach for measuring and tracking your progress toward
achieving the expected project output(s) and project outcome(s). This does not
include your progress reports to the EPA but how you will track your progress to
achieving outputs and outcomes that you will then report to the EPA. Examples
of how you may track and evaluate progress internally and with partners include
but are not limited to frequency of updates/meetings with internal
teams/management, frequency of updates/meetings with partners, discussions
on how outcomes/outputs will be included in future management decisions and
reevaluation of timeline and budget and other project management activities.
g. Programmatic Capability, Technical Experience and Qualifications
Applications should describe the following elements:
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i. Organizational Experience
Provide a brief description of your organizational experience related to the
proposed project, and your infrastructure and readiness and ability to
implement the proposed project in a successful and timely manner.
ii. Staff Experience/Qualifications
Provide a list of key staff and briefly describe their expertise/qualifications and
knowledge relevant to the proposed project. Describe your organization’s
resources, or the ability to obtain them (through hiring, contracting and/or
other means), to successfully achieve the goals of the project. Providing
biographical sketches or annotated resumes of the applicant’s key staff is
encouraged. Biographical sketches are not included in the 26-page double-
spaced limit for the Project Narrative and should be provided using the Other
Attachments form. See Section 4.A.6. for more on supporting documentation
attachments.
h. Project Partners
Describe proposed partner entities, their roles and whether they will participate as
subrecipients. Describe the agencies/organizations who will partner with you as
appropriate and necessary to successfully conduct the project, to help accomplish
outputs/products and to achieve the objectives/outcomes for improving state, Tribal,
territory and local government wetland protection programs. Provide a clear description
of the roles and responsibilities of specific partners in the project’s components (or
tasks) and how these partnerships will contribute to developing a state, Tribal, territory
or local government’s wetland program. If an applicant is in the process of engaging a
partner, applications should describe how the applicant plans to engage that partner
and establish a working relationship to successfully complete the project.
Applicants may also describe how they will partner within their organization or, if
appropriate, how having no partners is the best or only reasonable approach for
accomplishing the project objectives.
If the applicant is an interstate agency, intertribal consortium or college or university
that is an agency of a state they should describe how they have already and/or will
continue to partner (during the project) with the appropriate state(s) and/or Tribe(s) in
which the project is physically located, where the results of the project are intended to
be used, or if appropriate, how having no additional partners is the best or only
reasonable approach for accomplishing the project activities.
Applicants may attach optional letters of commitment from intended partners as
supporting documents. Letters of commitment will not be counted in the 26-page
double-spaced limit for the Project Narrative. The letters should be submitted on the
organization’s letterhead and should be addressed to the applicant. For more discussion
of letters of commitment, see Section 4.A.6, above.
i. Past Performance
Briefly describe federally funded and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements
(assistance agreements include federal grants and cooperative agreements but not
federal contracts) that the applicant performed within the last three years (no more
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than five (5) agreements). If the applicant had any EPA agreements in the last three
years those are preferred to be included.
i. Describe whether and how you were able to successfully complete and manage
those agreements.
ii. Describe your history of meeting the reporting requirements under those
agreements, including submitting acceptable final technical reports under those
agreements, and adequately and timely reporting on your progress towards
achieving the expected outputs and outcomes of those assistance agreements
(and if not, explain why not).
3. Restoration Demonstration Project Information
If you are proposing a restoration demonstration project, describe the current environmental
condition of the project site and the reason for restoration. Describe how the design and
installation of your restoration demonstration project would take relevant potential impacts
into account when considering your project’s long-term viability (i.e., increased storm event
intensity, increased heat stress, increased potential for wildfire). Describe your post-installation
monitoring program and whether it will be funded as a part of this project or with another
named funding source. If another funding source would be used, explain how you are confident
that this work will be funded. Describe the regulatory authorities that you must comply with
(e.g., CWA Section 404 permits, any applicable state, Tribe and local permits). You may need to
comply with regulations in order to conduct, monitor and/or maintain a proposed restoration
demonstration project. If you are not proposing this type of project, do not provide any
description.
4. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Statement
If you plan to collect or use environmental data or information, explain how and when you will
comply with the Quality Assurance/Quality Control requirements (see Section 4.F., Quality
Assurance/Quality Control, below for a definition of environmental data which includes more
than the collection of new data and information and any additional information). At a minimum,
most grants will require a Quality Management Plan. A Quality Management Plan is a document
that describes an organization’s quality system. It identifies the organizational structure, policy
and procedures, functional responsibilities of management and staff, lines of authority, and its
processes for planning, implementing, documenting and assessing all activities conducted under
the organization’s quality system. If data will be collected using federal funds, a Quality
Management Plan and/or Quality Assurance Project Plan will be required before data collection
can begin. To find out more about the EPA’s Quality Assurance/Quality Control program go to
the EPA’s Quality Program Website.
5. Invasive Species Control
If applicable, describe how you will ensure that your project does not facilitate the introduction
or spread of invasive species. Explain how you would respond if an invasive species problem
occurs in relation to your project, including adding this information to your Quality
Assurance/Quality Control documents. (See Section 4.F., Invasive Species Control below, for
further information).
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C. Applicants Using Contractors
Applicants must compete contracts for services and products, including consultant contracts, and
conduct cost and price analyses, to the extent required by the procurement provisions of the regulations
at 2 CFR Part 200.
Do not name a procurement contractor (including a consultant) as a “partner” or otherwise in your
application unless the contractor has been selected in compliance with competitive procurement
requirements. If an applicant selected for award has named a specific subrecipient, contractor, or
consultant in the application, it does not relieve the applicant of its obligations to comply with subaward
and/or competitive procurement requirements.
The EPA will not consider the qualifications, experience, and expertise of named subrecipients and/or
named contractor(s) during the application evaluation process unless the applicant provides
documentation that it has complied with these requirements.
For additional guidance, applicants should review EPA’s Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services,
Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements, EPA’s Subaward Policy, and EPA’s Subaward
Policy Frequent Questions. The EPA expects recipients of funding to comply with competitive
procurement contracting requirements in 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500, as well as the requirements in 2 CFR
Part 200.321 and 40 CFR Part 33 Subpart C.
D. Release Copies of Applications
Copies of applications submitted under this NOFO may be made publicly available on Wetland Program
Development Grants for approximately two years after selections are made.
Applicants should:
• clearly indicate which portion(s) of the application are confidential, privileged, or sensitive
information, or
• state ‘n/a’ or ‘not applicable’ if the application does not have confidential, privileged, or sensitive
information;
• not include trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is confidential or privileged,
or sensitive information that would invade another individual’s personal privacy (e.g., an
individual’s salary, personal email addresses, etc.);
• be aware that if such information is included, it will be treated in accordance with 40 CFR 2.203.
E. Coalition Coverage
A coalition is formed when two or more eligible applicants coordinate to submit a single application.
Coalitions must identify which single eligible organization will be the recipient of the grant and which
eligible organization(s) will receive subawards from the recipient (the “pass-through entity”). The pass-
through entity that administers the grant and subawards will be accountable to the EPA for proper
expenditure of the funds and reporting and will be the point of contact for the coalition. Subawards
must be consistent with the definition of that term in 2 CFR 200.1 and comply with the EPA’s Subaward
Policy.
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F. Other Program Specific Application Information
1. QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL
Quality Assurance/Quality Control requirements may be applicable to these assistance agreements (see
2 CFR § 1500.12). Quality Assurance/Quality Control requirements apply to the collection of
environmental data. Environmental data are any measurements or information that describe
environmental processes, location, or conditions; ecological or health effects and consequences; or the
performance of environmental technology. Environmental data include information collected directly
from measurements, produced from models, and compiled from other sources such as databases or
literature. Applicants should allow sufficient time and resources for this process. The EPA can assist
applicants in determining whether Quality Assurance/Quality Control is required for the proposed
project. If Quality Assurance/Quality Control is required for the project, the applicant is encouraged to
work with the EPA Quality Assurance/Quality Control staff to determine the appropriate Quality
Assurance/Quality Control practices for the project. Contact the Agency Contact (See Section 1.E. for
Agency Contact information) for referral to an EPA Quality Assurance/Quality Control staff.
If project tasks include wetland mapping, contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to facilitate production of
a standards-compliant dataset. All funded mapping projects for which the Federal Geographic Data
Committee mapping standards, as described below, apply will be required to contact the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory at Wetlands_Team@fws.gov prior to project initiation and
participate in the National Wetland Inventory Quality Assurance/Quality Control process to ensure that
data are standards compliant. Additional information can be found at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’
Wetland Mapping Website.
Successful applicants must ensure all water quality data generated in accordance with an EPA-approved
QAPP, either directly or by subaward, are transmitted into the Agency’s Water Quality Exchange (WQX)
data system (formerly known as STORET) annually or by project completion. When uploading data
through WQX or WQXweb, data should be identified as WPDG-related by providing project ID WPDG in
the data submission. More information about WQX and WQXweb, including tutorials, can be found at
the Water Quality Data Website.
2. INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL
Pursuant to Executive Order 13112, the recipient of the EPA funds and all subcontractors shall monitor
the project to ensure it does not facilitate the introduction or spread of invasive species. If invasive
species are detected or populations promoted in any way, the recipient will respond rapidly to control
populations in an environmentally sound manner, as approved by the EPA Project Officer. For more
information go to the National Invasive Species Information Center.
3. WETLANDS MAPPING STANDARD
A national wetlands mapping standard was developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee with
input from dozens of federal agencies and led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the EPA. The
objective of the Federal Geographic Data Committee Wetlands Mapping Standard is to support the
accurate mapping and classification of wetlands while ensuring mechanisms for their revision and
update as directed under U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16. In accordance
with OMB Circular A-16, all wetlands mapping projects funded through the federal government must
comply with the Federal Geographic Data Committee Wetlands Mapping Standard. (Non-federally
funded wetlands mapping projects are also encouraged to comply with the standard). Standard
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compliant data will be added to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory geospatial
dataset and displayed on the Wetlands Mapper. Detailed information on the wetlands mapping
standard, which includes mandatory use of the Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the
United States can be found at: Federal Geographic Data Committee Wetland Mapping Standard (FGDC-
STD-015-2009). “Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States,” can be found
at Federal Geographic Data Committee Wetlands Mapping Standard (FGDC-STD-004-2013). Information
on wetland mapping using the EPA’s funding can be found at Mapping Guide for Wetland Program
Development Grants Guide.
To facilitate production of a standards compliant dataset, all funded projects for which the
aforementioned standards apply will be required to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National
Wetland Inventory at Wetlands_Team@fws.gov prior to project initiation, and participate in the
National Wetland Inventory Quality Assurance/Quality Control process to ensure that data are
standards compliant. The feasibility of producing standards compliant data with a proposed budget will
be considered when making grant awards. Typically, compliant data cannot be produced for less than 8
cents/acre. Please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if you have questions regarding the mapping
standard or budget development (Wetlands_Team@fws.gov). Additional guidance on the creation of
standards compliant wetlands mapping data can be found at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National
Wetland Inventory Contributed Data page and information on how U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviews
standard compliant data can be found at: Federal Wetland Mapping Standard Compliance.
4. ADHERENCE TO THE EPA NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL DATA POLICY
The National Geospatial Data Policy establishes principles, responsibilities and requirements for
collecting and managing geospatial data used by Federal environmental programs and projects within
the jurisdiction of the EPA. This Policy also establishes the requirement of collecting and managing
geospatial metadata describing the Agency’s geospatial assets to underscore EPA’s commitment to data
sharing, promoting secondary data use and supporting the National Spatial Data Infrastructure. This
Policy applies to all of the EPA’s organizations, grantees, agents working on behalf of the EPA, Tribes,
localities territories and partner states of the EPA who design, develop directly or indirectly, compile,
operate or maintain the EPA information collections developed for environmental program support and
can be found at the EPA’s Geospatial Policies and Standards.
5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines
A. Submission Dates and Times
April 20, 2026 11:59 pm ET Application Submission Deadline
April 20, 2026 9:59 pm MT Application Submission Deadline (Local Time)
Grants.gov creates a date and time record when it receives the application. If you submit the same
application more than once, we will accept the last on-time submission.
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B. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management
(SAM.gov)
SAM.gov
You must have an active account with SAM.gov. SAM.gov will provide a UEI for your organization, which
is required to apply for grants using Grants.gov. To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click
Get Started. From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the
information you will need to register. Make sure you are current with SAM.gov and UEI requirements
before applying for the award.
SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.
Grants.gov
You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the
Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.
Please visit How to Register to Apply for Grants for additional information.
C. Submission Instructions
You must submit your application through Grants.gov. See Section 5.B. above for information on getting
registered.
Important tips:
• To begin the application process under this grant announcement, go to Grants.gov and click the
red “Apply” button at the top of the view grant opportunity page associated with this
opportunity.
• See the Quick Start Guide for Applicants for instructions on how to submit.
• Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks.
• Do not encrypt, zip, or password protect any files.
• Your application must be submitted by an official representative of your organization who is
registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal financial assistance.
• If you receive an error or the button is grayed out, it may be because you do not have the
appropriate role to submit in your organization. Contact your organization’s EBiz point of contact
or contact Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.
• See Grants.gov Errors for information on other Grants.gov errors.
• The UEI listed on the application must be registered to the applicant organization's SAM.gov
account. If not, the application may be deemed ineligible.
D. Technical Issues with Submission
If applicants experience technical issues during the submission of an application that they are unable to
resolve, follow these procedures before the application deadline date:
• Contact Grants.gov Support Center before the application deadline date.
• Document the Grants.gov ticket/case number.
• Send an email with Funding Opportunity Number (FON):EPA-REG08-WPDG-25 in the subject line
to WPDG-RFA@epa.gov before the application deadline time and date and must include the
following:
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o Grants.gov ticket/case number(s)
o Description of the issue
o The entire application package in PDF format.
Without this information, the EPA may not be able to consider applications submitted outside of
Grants.gov. Any application submitted after the application deadline time and date deadline will be
deemed ineligible and not be considered.
Please note that successful submission through Grants.gov or email does not necessarily mean your
application is eligible for award.
E. Intergovernmental Review
You will need to submit application information for Intergovernmental Review. Some states have
adopted Single Points of Contact (SPOC) for coordinating the review.
Intergovernmental review is applicable to this assistance listing when proposed Federal financial
assistance involves land use planning or construction associated with demonstration projects.
Contact the Region 8 grants office for further instruction.
This requirement does not apply to American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes or Tribal organizations.
6. Application Review Information
A. Responsiveness Review
Applications must meet the eligibility requirements described in Section 2 to be evaluated. Applicants
not meeting these requirements will be deemed ineligible and will be notified within 15 calendar days of
the determination.
• Applications must adhere to the page limit requirements. Any pages over the limit(s) in Section
4 will not be reviewed.
• Initial applications must be submitted on or before the application deadline through Grants.gov
or through limited circumstances as expressed in Section 5. The EPA will not evaluate
applications that are not submitted on time.
• Technical difficulties applying: Applicants having technical difficulties applying must contact the
Grants.gov hotline at 1-800-518-4726 and then must email a PDF of the full application to the
EPA contact listed in Section 1. The submission must be received prior to the application
deadline for consideration.
B. Review Criteria
Criteria Name and Description Points
a) Project Need and Environmental Benefit(s)
Under this criterion, applications will be evaluated based on how well the 20
applicant demonstrates:
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(1) Project Need - The need for the project as it pertains to developing or
refining a state, Tribal, territory or local government wetland
program(s). (14 points)
(2) Environmental Benefit - Indicate one or more of the listed
Environmental Benefits from Section 3.A.1 or if it does not meet one
of the listed benefits a description of another Environmental Benefit
the project will meet and describe how the project will meet that
benefit. (6 points)
b) Project Tasks
Under this criterion, applications will be evaluated based on the extent and
quality to which they demonstrate a description of the steps the applicant will
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take to meet the project product/output(s) and objective(s), including a clear
description of project tasks and associated products and whether the
applicant’s approach (methodology) or the steps they propose is sound.
c) Milestone Schedule and Timely Expenditure of Grant Funds
Under this criterion, applications will be evaluated based on the extent and
quality to which they provide:
(1) Milestone Schedule – a clearly articulated milestone schedule that
covers each year of the entire grant period. This includes a breakout
of the project tasks into phases with associated tasks and products 11
and the anticipated dates for the start and completion of each task.
(7 points)
(2) Timely Expenditure of Grant Funds – an approach, procedures and
controls for ensuring that awarded grant funds will be expended in a
timely and efficient manner. (4 points)
d) Budget
Under this criterion, applications will be evaluated based on the extent and
quality to which they demonstrate the adequacy of the information provided
in the detailed budget and whether the proposed costs are reasonable and
allowable, including whether: the applicant identified the requested federal 10
dollars and the total project cost for each component/task for each budget
item from SF-424A; the applicant explained if and how non-federal partners
will provide cost share and demonstrated the cost-effectiveness and
reasonableness of costs and the value of in-kind contributions.
e) Transfer of Results
Under this criterion, applications will be evaluated based on how well they
demonstrate the applicant’s plan for active transfer of project results
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(outputs/outcomes), lessons learned, and/or methods to other states,
territories, Tribes or local government agencies within and beyond their own
organization, so that the others can better develop their wetland programs.
f) Environmental Results: Outputs, Outcomes, and Tracking
Under this criterion, applications will be evaluated based on how well they
demonstrate each of the following elements: 10
1. Environmental Results – the extent and quality to which the
application demonstrates that the activities to be funded under this
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funding announcement support Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water
for Every America and/or Pillar 3: Permitting Reform, Cooperative
Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership of Administrator Zeldin's
Five Pillars. (3 points)
2. Outputs and Outcomes – the extent and quality to which the
application demonstrates anticipated outputs, outcomes, how the
application will be a step towards the goal of restoring and protecting
wetland resources will be evaluated. (4 points)
3. Tracking – the extent and quality to which the application
demonstrates a sound plan for tracking progress toward achieving
the expected outputs and outcomes. (3 points)
g) Programmatic Capability, Technical Experience, and Qualifications
Under this criterion, applications will be evaluated based on the applicant’s
ability to successfully manage and complete the proposed project considering
their:
(1) Organizational experience related to the proposed project, and their
6
infrastructure, readiness and ability to implement the proposed
project in a successful and timely manner. (3 points)
(2) Staff experience/qualifications, staff knowledge and resources, or the
ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals of the project.
(3 points)
h) Partnerships
Under this criterion, applications will be evaluated based on how well the
applicant has demonstrated appropriate and necessary partnerships as 10
described in Section 4.B.2.i. or if appropriate, describe how having no
partners is the best or only reasonable approach.
i) Past Performance
Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and
quality to which they demonstrate their ability to successfully complete and
manage the proposed project taking into account their:
(1) Past performance in successfully completing and managing the
assistance agreements identified in response to Section 4.B.2.j.
Assistance agreements include federal grants and cooperative
agreements (but not federal contracts) similar in size, scope, and
relevance to the proposed project within the last five years
(preferably EPA agreements). (3 points) 6
(2) History of meeting the reporting requirements under the assistance
agreements identified in response to Section 4.B.2.j. of the Notice of
Funding Opportunity including whether the applicant submitted
acceptable final technical reports under those agreements and the
extent to which the applicant adequately and timely reported on
their progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes
under those agreements and if such progress was not being made
whether the applicant adequately reported why not. (3 points)
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Note: In evaluating applicants under these criteria, EPA will consider the
information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant
information from other sources including agency files and prior/current
grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information supplied by the
applicant). If you do not have any relevant or available past performance or
past reporting information, please indicate this in the application and you will
receive a neutral score for these subfactors (a neutral score is half of the total
points available in a subset of possible points). If you do not provide any
response for these items, you may receive a score of 0 for these factors.
Applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and quality to which they demonstrate that they have
the capability to successfully perform the project as described in Section 3 of this funding opportunity.
Only eligible entities whose applications meet the threshold criteria in Section 2 of this announcement
will be evaluated. Applicants should explicitly address these criteria as part of their application
package submittal in the project narrative. Each application will be rated using a point system.
Applications will be evaluated based on a total of 100 possible points.
C. Review and Selection Process
All applications received by the submission deadline will first be screened by the EPA staff against the
threshold criteria in Section 2 of the announcement. Applications that do not pass the threshold review
will not be evaluated further or considered for funding.
Panel(s) of EPA staff will review eligible applications against the evaluation criteria listed in Section 5.A.
above, assign scores to each application, and develop a ranked list of the applications in each Track (i.e.,
Track One: WPP and Track Two: Non-WPP) based on the evaluation scores received. The ranking list for
each Track will be provided to the Selection Official, Region 08 Water Division Director, who makes the
final funding decisions.
(1) Other Evaluation Factors
Final funding decisions will be made by the Selection Official. In making the final funding decisions, the
selection official may also consider the following factors:
1. Geographic distribution of funds.
2. Variation among of projects.
3. Availability of funds.
4. The distribution of awards between Track One: WPP and Track Two: Non-WPP.
5. The similarity of the project to other projects already being funded by the EPA.
6. Other program or agency priorities.
Under this competition, the EPA also reserves the right to fund the top ranked proposal for each state in
Region 08 contingent on the quality of the proposals and funding availability.
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D. Risk Review
The EPA will consider any comments by the applicant, along with information available in the
responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov., when doing the risk review as required by 2 CFR
200.206.
7. Award Notices
The EPA anticipates notification to successful applicants will be made by a Region 08 Award Official. The
notification will be sent to the original signer of the application or the project contact listed in the
application. This notification is not an authorization to begin work. The official notification of an award
will be made by Region 08’s Grant Management Office. Selection does not guarantee an award will be
made. Statutory authorization, funding, or other issues during the award process may affect the ability
of the EPA to make an award. The award notice, signed by an EPA grants officer, is the authorizing
document and will be provided through electronic or postal mail. The successful applicant may need to
prepare and submit additional documents and forms, which must be approved by the EPA, before the
grant can officially be awarded. The time between notification of selection and award of a grant can take
up to 90 days or longer.
8. Post-Award Requirements and Administration
A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The recipient and any sub-recipient must comply with the applicable General Terms and Conditions.
These terms and conditions are in addition to the assurances and certifications made as part of the
award, terms and conditions, and restrictions reflected on the official assistance award document.
Awards issued as a result of this funding opportunity are subject to the requirements of the Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; Title 2 CFR
Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 1500.
B. Reporting
EPA’s General Terms and Conditions in the Notice of Award will have information on performance and
financial reports, including:
• How often you will report.
• Any required form or formatting.
• How to submit them.
C. Subaward and Executive Compensation Reporting
The Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) requires:
• Data entry at SAM.gov for all subawards and subcontracts issued for $30,000 or more.
• Reporting executive compensation for both recipient and subaward organizations.
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9. Other Information
A. Additional Provisions for Applicants
Additional provisions that apply this funding opportunity and/or awards made under this funding
opportunity, can be found at EPA NOFO Clauses. If you are unable to access these provisions
electronically at the website above, please contact the EPA point of contact to obtain the provisions.
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