HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-24 Correspondence - EPA - Water Division Program UpdatesFrom:Mullins, Matthew (he/him/his)To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Water Division Program Updates
Date:Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:30:33 PM
Attachments:Technical Assistance Factsheet Aug2024.pdf
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September 4, 2024program Updates
Upcoming Opportunities
Community Change Grant: EPA’s Community Change Grants program will
support disadvantaged, underserved and/or rural communities with up to $2
billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. These grants aim to
reduce pollution, enhance climate resilience, and strengthen your
community's ability to tackle environmental challenges. These place-based
investments focus on community-driven initiatives. There are two tracks:
Track 1 grants are project-based and range from $10-20 million, supporting
initiatives that address a wide range of local priorities. Track 2 grants range
from $1-3 million to support community engagement. Applications are now
open and are being reviewed on a rolling basis. Application packages must be
submitted on or before November 21, 2024. To learn more, multiple technical
assistance recordings can be found on the Community Change Grants
website.
Click here for more information
Deadline to apply is November 21, 2024
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program: The EnergyEfficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed toassist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies toreduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy
efficiency. The Department of Energy (DOE) provides technical assistanceofferings for eligible entities, including the EECBG Program Blueprints and theopportunity to host a Community Energy Fellow in your local government orTribe. To learn more, click here.
Click here for more information
Deadline to apply is October 31, 2024
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants: Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) iscurrently accepting applications for their WaterSmart program. This Waterand Energy Efficiency Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) providesfunding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implementrenewable energy components, and support broader sustainability benefits.These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the
production of renewable energy; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk
of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to
sustainability in the Western United States.
Deadline to Apply is Nov 13, 2024;
Email bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov with questions
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities: The Recreation Economyfor Rural Communities planning assistance program helps communitiesidentify strategies to grow their outdoor recreation economy and revitalizetheir main streets. Outdoor activities are increasingly popular across theUnited States, and many communities are seeking to grow their outdoorrecreation and tourism economy, while investing in their main streets andconserving forests and natural lands. Encouraging growth on main streetswhile promoting outdoor recreation can help foster community revitalization,protect air and water quality, create jobs and support economic
diversification, and offer new opportunities for people to connect with the
natural world. An informational webinar about the program will be providedthis week.
Register here for the Webinar
Thursday, Sep 5, 2024: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM MT
Deadline to Apply is Oct 16, 2024
Climate Resilience Training for Water Sector Utilities: Resiliency is apart of public safety. In an effort to ensure safe and resilient water systemsfor rural communities, EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU)initiative and EPA Region 8 are hosting a free in-person training for drinkingwater, wastewater, and stormwater utilities, including Tribal utilities in
Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. This training will be held in
Dolores, CO, and will cover topics including tools to build a climate riskassessment, adaptation strategies to mitigate drought, wildfire, severeweather, flooding, and other climate threats, a utility case study from CortezSanitation District (CO), regional climate trends and projections, and utilityinfrastructure financing. Continuing education units have been approved forcertified drinking water and wastewater operators from Arizona, Colorado,and New Mexico. Training hours will also be accepted by the Inter TribalCouncil of Arizona. To receive CEUs, you must register, attend the entiretraining, and complete a short feedback form.
Register here for the In-Person workshop
Wednesday, Sep 18, 2024: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM MT
Dolores Public Lands Office (29211 CO-184, Dolores, CO 81323)
Developing and Demonstrating Technologies for the Destruction ofPFAS in Concentrated Liquid Waste Streams: This StrategicEnvironmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) andEnvironmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) webinarfocuses on Department of Defense (DOD)-funded research efforts to developand demonstrate technologies for PFAS destruction in concentrated liquid
waste streams. Specifically, investigators will discuss the validation of a novel
photocatalytic media and the demonstration of hydrothermal alkaline
treatment for PFAS treatment.
Register here for the Webinar
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024: 10:00 AM MT
EPA Grants Webinar Series — Competition Process: This webinarintends to help grant applicants learn how to find and successfully apply forcompetitive EPA grants. EPA will also provide an overview of the competitionprocess from application through evaluation and selection
Register here for the Webinar
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MT
Creating the Water Workforce of the Future Webinar Series:Increasingly complex challenges facing water utilities make it imperative thatregional partners work together to train and prepare individuals to take onthe critical role of operating our nation’s water infrastructure. One successfulexample is taking place in Northwest Ohio, led by the Toledo MetropolitanCouncil of Governments (TMACOG), Owens Community College, the City ofToledo, and utility partners across the region. Together, they have developedan innovative program to provide education and training to prepare
individuals to operate and maintain critical drinking water and wastewater
infrastructure. The program offers training for certification, as well as jobplacement assistance.
This webinar is part of an ongoing webinar series hosted by EPA, in
partnership with leading water sector organizations around the country. Moreinformation on this webinar series can be found at https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/water-sector-workforce-webinars.
Register here for the Webinar
Wednesday, Sep 18, 2024: 9:30 AM MT
EPA Grants Webinar Series — Pass Through Entities: This training is
intended for EPA grant applicants and recipients that plan to use EPA fundingto provide grants to other entities through “subawards.” This type of EPAgrant recipient is considered a pass-through entity because the goal of thegrant is to further award EPA funds. EPA pass-through entities areencouraged to share this training with their subrecipients. This training willfocus on:
· Oversight responsibilities of EPA pass-through entities
· Federal regulations that govern pass-through entities and the recipients of
subawards (subrecipients)
· EPA’s specific requirements for subrecipients
Register here for the Webinar
Wednesday, Sep 18, 2024: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MT
EPA Grants Webinar Series — Federal Civil Rights Compliance forRecipients & Subrecipients: This training by the EPA Office of External
Civil Rights Compliance (OECRC) will provide information about federal civilrights laws and regulations, why they matter, and how they apply to EPAgrant recipients and subrecipients. We will discuss requirements and bestpractices for a strong and effective civil rights program, as well as what toexpect from OECRC in its oversight role. The training will include an open
Q&A session.
Register here for the Webinar
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MT
Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series - PFAS: EPA's Office ofResearch and Development and Office of Water host this free webinar seriesto communicate current research, regulatory information, and solutions forchallenges facing small drinking water systems. This special extendedwebinar will be focused on PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation,Initial Monitoring Requirements, Implementation, Community Engagement
and Risk Communication.
Register here for the Webinar
Tuesday, Sep 24, 2024: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM MT
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Wastewater: EPA’s
Office of Wastewater Management’s Clean Water Technology Center recentlyposted a new technology brief titled Characteristics and Treatment ofPharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Wastewater that providespreliminary information on treating pharmaceuticals and personal careproducts (PPCPs) in municipal wastewater to inform the initial identificationof PPCP treatment technology. PPCPs are a diverse group of chemicalsderived from medications, lotions, soaps, and other personal care products.This brief discusses the characteristics of PPCPs that make them resistant toremoval in conventional wastewater treatment facilities and a review ofknown treatment options.
The technology brief can serve as a resource for wastewater treatmentprofessionals and CWSRF programs to identify technologies that can treatPPCPs and could be eligible for CWSRF Emerging Contaminants (ECs) funding
made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. You can check out
this technology brief and more information about CWSRF EC funding on EPA’sCWSRF EC website.
Please feel free to reach out to us with insights and questions at
cwsrfEC@epa.gov.
New Grant Opportunity Brownfields Assessment, Revolving LoanFund (RLF), and Cleanup Grants: The fiscal year (FY) 2025 BrownfieldsAssessment, RLF, and Cleanup Grant (ARC) solicitation and guidelines arenow available in www.grants.gov and on the EPA ARC Grant ApplicationResources webpage. General program resources, pre-recorded videos, andgrant guideline outreach webinars can also be found on the ARC webpage.For more information about the EPA R8 Brownfields Program, click here.
Deadline to Apply is Nov 14, 2024
FREE Technical Assistance Opportunities: Technical assistance is free,direct support —either in person or virtually—provided to communities andorganizations to help apply for federal grants or address ongoing communityissues. Depending on the program, eligible entities include: community-basedorganizations, nonprofits, local and state governments, Tribes, faith-basedorganizations and institutes of higher learning. For further details, see the
attached factsheet to learn more about these FREE opportunities.
We look forward to continuing to serve you by providing information onGrant Opportunities, Webinars, Trainings, and other exciting information.
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For questions on webinars and workshops, contact EPA via the email addresslisted on the registration page.
For questions on Technical Assistance (TA) and funding opportunities forclean water and drinking water infrastructure, contact Tamara Barbakova atBarbakova.Tamara@epa.gov.
https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/water-topicsAdditional Information:
Technical Assistance
Region 8 - Programs
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Technical assistance is free, direct support —either in person or virtually—
provided to communities and organizations to help apply for federal grants,
increase resiliency or address long standing needs. Depending on the
program, eligible entities include: community-based organizations,
nonprofits, local and state governments, Tribes, faith-based organizations
and institutes of higher learning. See each program below to learn more
about these FREE opportunities.
Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA):
Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) provides FREE, direct support for communities to identify water challenges, develop plans to address them, prepare applications to finance projects and build technical, managerial and financial capacity. Services include:
WaterTA can also assist communities with:
• Engineering Support, including development of preliminary engineering reports, often required for funding applications
• Project needs assessments and environmental documentation
• Prepare for and develop application materials for financing a project
• Preliminary cost estimates for SRF pre-applications and applications
• Additional engineering support may be available on a case-by-case basis
Ready to request assistance? Submit your request form here: https://www.epa.gov/water-infrastructure/forms/water-technical-assistance-request-form
*Current services are dependent on SRF eligibility, WaterTA will work with you as available to identify other sources of TA if necessary
Planning &
Assessment Project
Development Partnerships &
Engagement Funding
& Financing
Program
Management
Support
Community
Engagement
Preliminary
Engineering
Reports
Ongoing
Engagement
and Outreach
Rates and
Revenue
Analysis Bid Support
Plan
Development
and
Coordination
Lead Service
Line Inventories
Decision-maker
and Board
Education
Financial
Planning Change Order
Review
Studies and
Assessments Project Design Water Systems
Partnerships
Identify
Funding
Options Project Inspection
Asset
Management Environmental
Reviews Capacity
Building Application
Support
Domestic Preference
and Davis Bacon
Assistance
Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs):
EPA Region 8’s TCTAC, Mountains and Plains Thriving Community Collaboration (MaPTCC), provides free expert support to help underserved communities identify grant opportunities, and provides guidance and training on preparing grant applications, and managing grant funding. Their personalized grant database and expert team can support communities from funding application through project management.
MaPTCC can provide communities:
• Capacity building to navigate federal grant systems, develop strong grant proposals and effectively manage grant funding.
• Guidance on building capacity to engage effectively with decision-makers, meeting facilitation and grant related translation and interpretation services.
• Direct access to environmental energy grant resources and information
For more information visit https://www.montana.edu/thrivingcommunities/
• Follow this link to initiate a consultation
• Sign up for MaPTCC’s newsletter to receive regular updates about events, resources and tools of interest
• Follow MaPTCC on X, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube
• Drop in to office hours
Have general questions? Contact MaPTCC by email or phone.
Email: R8TCTAC@montana.edu Phone: (406) 994 - 6904
Technical Assistance to Brownfields:
A brownfield is a property where the expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. The Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Program (TAB) provides free technical assistance to communities, states, Tribal Nations and other public entities to help address their brownfield sites and to increase their understanding and involvement in brownfields cleanup, revitalization and reuse.
Kansas State University is currently the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (KSU TAB) provider for Region 8.
KSU TAB can help communities with the following:
• Technical presentations, workshops and seminars on brownfields-related topics
• Strategic planning and redevelopment visioning workshops
• Economic feasibility and sustainability analysis
• Identification of potential funding sources
• Assistance with environmental justice issues
• Guidance in finding and contracting with environmental consulting firms
• Digital tools to write grants and conduct site inventories for brownfields cleanup and revitalization projects
• Independent review and summary of technical documents
• Community outreach liaison service between your community, state or federal agencies, or other entities
• Assistance with sustainability education and planning
• Assistance with soil analyses for community gardens placed on brownfields
Learn more about KSU TAB resources here: https://www.ksutab.org/
Creating Resilient Water Utilities:
Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) primarily provides technical support for applying climate and asset condition data as part of risk assessment, as well as support for climate adaptation planning relating to water infrastructure. CRWU provides data services and decision support across a wide range of climate and economic factors. Water utilities can review historical and projected (modeled) future conditions using online maps and scenario-building tools to identify conditions of concern. These services help program partners establish the initial building blocks for risk assessments and adaptation planning. For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/crwu
Cybersecurity for the Water Sector:
Cyber-attacks against public water systems are increasing. Implementing basic cyber hygiene practices can help your utility prevent, detect, respond, and recover from cyber incidents. Primacy agencies, drinking water and wastewater utilities, circuit riders, and technical assistance providers can submit a request for consultation regarding cybersecurity.
To learn more about cybersecurity or to request cybersecurity technical assistance, fill out the form found at this link: https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/cybersecurity-assessments
This form is periodically updated to highlight TA opportunities - Last updated August 2024
Economic Development Technical Assistance:
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) assists eligible recipients in developing economic development plans and studies designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. Federal grants can be applied for under this program by eligible entities for local technical and planning assistance.
Eligible entities for this technical assistance include:
• District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District
• Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes
• State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions
• Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education
• Public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State
For more information visit: https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities/category?category=266288
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program aims to reduce hazard risk and increase community resilience by investing in research supported, proactive resilience measures. The program aims to support communities as they build capability and capacity. BRIC also encourages and aids innovation, promotes partnerships and supports infrastructure projects.
BRIC Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) offers wide ranging non-financial support to selected communities, including climate risk assessments, community engagement, partnership building, mitigation and climate adaptation planning, and project development from pre application to grant closeout. This program is regionally facilitated, centered around community partnership, and lasts for 36 months. If you have any questions about BRIC DTA or would like to discuss if this program might be right your community, reach out to Region 8’s BRIC Technical Assistance team at:
FEMA-R8-MIT-Technical-Assistance@fema.dhs.gov
Federal Transit Administration Technical Assistance:
The technical assistance offered by the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) provides funding for technical assistance programs and activities that improve the management and delivery of public transportation and development of the transit industry workforce. FTA’s Technical Assistance and Workforce Development Program (49 U.S.C. § 5314) and the Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. § 5312) fund technical assistance, training, and research resource programs through national nonprofit organizations across a number of areas to improve public transportation. These nonprofit partners and the work they do play a critical role in supporting public transit agencies to:
• Improve accessibility and transportation for older adults and people with disabilities
• Drive the adoption of mobility management and related promising practices
• Accelerate innovative mobility practices and strategies
• Support rural communities
• Leverage new transit technologies
• Train the public transit workforce
• Provide workforce development technical assistance
• Support research projects selected by the transit industry that address day to day issues
• Support the transit industry meet safety regulation
To view a detailed list of available Technical Assistance, click here. To contact your FTA regional office and talk to a planner, click on the following link: https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/region-8/region-8
U.S. Department of Agriculture Technical Assistance :
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a number of technical assistance opportunities aimed at assisting rural communities. A list of some of these opportunities are as follows:
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): The NRCS under the USDA offers a variety of technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. Areas of focus include:
Conservation Planning: NRCS helps landowners develop conservation plans tailored to their specific needs. These plans address natural resource concerns like soil erosion, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
Technical Service Providers (TSPs): These are certified professionals who assist with planning, design, and implementation of conservation practices. They offer one-on-one advice and help landowners meet NRCS criteria.
Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA): This program provides knowledge and tools to conserve, maintain, and restore natural resources. It includes personalized advice based on the latest science and research.
Financial Assistance Programs: NRCS offers financial assistance to help implement conservation practices outlined in conservation plans. Programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provide funding for various conservation activities
For more information visit: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state
Rural Development, Water & Environmental Program
Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH): This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects. Rural areas with a population of 2,500 or less are eligible. Funding through this program can be used to pay for predevelopment planning costs and activities including:
• Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects
• Preliminary design and engineering analysis
• Technical assistance to develop applications for financial assistance
For more information visit: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/search-special-evaluation-assistance-rural-communities-and-households-grant-5
Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants: This program helps eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects. Federally recognized tribal lands, rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less are eligible.
For more information visit: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/water-waste-disposal-predevelopment-planning-grants-7
Clean School Bus Technical Assistance:
In partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Joint Office is offering technical assistance on a wide range of clean school bus deployment topics, including electric bus basics, charging equipment, utility connections, bus performance, and operational considerations like routing and maintenance.
For more information visit: https://driveelectric.gov/school-districts
Additional Opportunities:
Not seeing the Technical Assistance you were looking for in this factsheet? There is a lot more out there! This document lists Technical Assistance programs funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) or Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). See other technical assistance programs from EPA, DOE, USACE, USDA, DOT, and more at the following link:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IIA-Technical-Assistance-Guide-September-2023-v091223.pdf