Geographic Programs - Chesapeake Bay Program

The EPA's Geographic Programs - Chesapeake Bay Program (referred to as Chesapeake Bay Program) awards competitive grants to states, tribal and local governments, non-governmental organizations, interstate agencies and academic institutions to reduce and prevent pollution and to improve the living resources in the Chesapeake Bay. Grants are awarded for implementation projects, as well as for technical assistance, monitoring, environmental education, and other related activities. EPA's funding priority is to achieve the goals and objectives established in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement through the implementation of the management strategies. More detail on these can be found at http://www.chesapeakeprogress.com. The competitive assistance agreements under this program include: 1) Small Watershed Grants (SWG): This EPA program component supports local governments and non-governmental organizations working to protect and improve local waters and habitats across the Bay watershed while building citizen-based resource stewardship. 2) Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants (INSR): This program component supports regional innovative solutions to reduce or eliminate nutrient and sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. 3) Technical Assistance and General Assistance Grants: This program component supports nonprofit organizations, state, tribal and local governments, academic institutions, and others to implement the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2023: Work in this program directly supports Goal 5/Objective 5.2, Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds in EPA's FY 2022 - 2026 Strategic Plan. Most of EPA�s direct efforts for FY 2023 will focus on supporting implementation of the two-year Logic & Action Plans for the 25 Management Strategies developed under the Agreement, with particular focus on accelerating implementation of outcomes where progress is lagging. In addition, the program is increasing focus on environmental justice ensuring the benefits of the Chesapeake Bay Program are distributed equitably, as well as increasing efforts in the climate change space by focusing initiatives on the resiliency of the watershed. Specific emphases include: Implementation of the water quality outcomes that describe the commitment of the Agreement signatories for having all practices in place by 2025 to achieve the necessary pollutant reductions; Accelerating implementation of outcomes that help keep the watershed resilient in the face of climate change (including forest and wetland protection and restoration); Ensuring the most up-to-date science is used throughout the Chesapeake Bay Program to support decision-making, implementation, and future condition assessment. For example, improving computer models to help predict the impact of climate change on the Chesapeake Bay Program�s ability to meet water quality standards in the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay; and implementing an action plan to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in Chesapeake Bay Program restoration efforts.

Types of Assistance: PROJECT GRANTS