Coral Reef Grants Workshop

1. Coral Reef Grants Workshop

2. Targeted Watersheds Grants Program • Designed to encourage successful community-based approaches and management techniques to protect and restore the nations waters.

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

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

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

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

7. 2004 Solicitation Process • 14 watersheds were selected • Grants ranged from $700,000 to $1,300,000 with an additional 25% leveraged from other sources.

9. 2003 Solicitation Process • EPA received 176 nominations including projects in every state, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. • 20 watersheds were selected. • Grants ranged from $300K to $1M

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

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

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

14. Eligibility Criteria • Grassroots organizations • Community Groups

15. Application Requirements • Five Star Restoration Grant applications can be downloaded from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation site at:http://nfwf.org/programs/5star-rfp.htm

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

17. Geographic Distribution

18. Example – Puerto Rico • Project Name: Culebra Island Coral Reef Restoration • Five-Star Funds:$13,950 • Grant To: Culebra Island Fishermen Association • Project Location:Culebra, Puerto Rico • The Culebra Island Fisherman Association will train volunteer divers on coral conservation and aquaculture, expand an existing system of coral aquaculture farms to provide a sustainable source of propagules for future restoration efforts, produce geo-referenced maps to plan future restoration efforts, and initiate a pilot coral reef restoration program at one of the identified sites.

19. Example - USVI • Project Name: Protect Lameshur Bay Mangrove Forest • Five-Star Funds:$16,080 • Grant To: Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service • Project Location:Lameshur Bay, St. John, Virgin Islands • The Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS) at the University of the Virgin Islands will provide elementary school children on St. John and St. Thomas islands with an opportunity to learn about the ecological and socio-economic values of mangrove ecosystems through interactive and critical thinking activities, targeted educational materials, and a workshop series/tour of the restoration area.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

33. Clean Water State Revolving Fund • Since 1995, 28 percent of all CWSRF loan agreements have been used to fund nonpoint source pollution control projects. • Also states can use the SRF to implement Comprehensive Coastal Management Plans developed through EPA’s National Estuary Program.

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

35. Application Requirements • EPA must receive the state/territories proposals by June 30. Therefore, you should contact your state/territory representative to coordinate the appropriate process and timeline. • You may contact Normando Colon at (787) 977-5847.

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

37. Environmental Education Grants • The goal of the program is to support environmental education (EE) projects that enhance the public’s awareness, knowledge, and skills to make informed and responsible decisions that affect environmental quality.

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

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

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

41. Geographic Distribution

42. Geographic Distribution – Region 2

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

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

45. Clean Water Act Section 319(h)Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants • This program supports the establishment of the State Nonpoint Source Management Program. The Nonpoint Source Management Program is intended to assist the States and Territories in their implementation of their broad array of authorities to address all of the water quality threats and impairments caused by nonpoint source pollution.

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

47. Clean Water Act Section 106Water Pollution Control Program • This program supports the establishment of the State Water Quality Program to control surface water pollution. • Elements of the Water Quality Program include the development of Water Quality Standards; issuance of Water Quality Certificates or where delegated the issuance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits; enforcement; development of the bi-annual Water Quality Integrated Report (CWA 305(b) Report and CWA 303(d) list); development and establishment of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL).

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

49. Contacts • EPA: Yasmin Laguer, PPG Project Officer (787) 977-5848 • PR EQB: Ruben Gonzalez, Water Quality Area Director (787) 767-8181

50. Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3)Water Quality Cooperative Agreements Program • The grants are used to develop, implement, and demonstrate innovative approaches relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution.