Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (REMAP) Research Projects

The Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (REMAP) is a partnership between the EPA Regional Offices and the Office of Research and Development (ORD) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP), with the primary goal to build state and tribal capacity for using statistically valid monitoring data for reporting on the condition of their aquatic resources. The goals for REMAP are to transfer EMAP's latest scientific techniques for ecological monitoring to EPA Regions, States, Tribes and local decision makers. ORD works with the EPA Regional Offices to support projects meeting EMAP criteria and that are of importance to needs within the Regions. EMAP support for these projects includes: contributing to development of the scientific design of projects; assistance with the selection and evaluation of appropriate indicators and methods for measurement; application of information management approaches; analysis and interpretation of data; and providing a source of funding. EPA funds projects in each of its 10 Regions. Projects are normally funded for up to 2 years, but longer projects are occasionally supported. Annual announcements reflect priority needs in those Regions where funding will be allocated for new projects. The primary objectives of the solicited research are to provide States and Tribes with methods and approaches for incorporating statistically valid ecological monitoring data into their environmental decision-making process. Project goals are to be consistent with EMAP's probabilistic approach (www.epa.gov/emap) to answer questions about ecological conditions at regional and local levels. Information produced from projects is to be transferable to Regional, State and Tribal water quality monitoring programs and regulatory agencies. Research proposals must address one or more of the following monitoring needs for state and tribal aquatic (headwater streams, lakes, near shore coastal areas, wetlands, wadeable streams or large rivers) resources: -State and Tribal monitoring needs for water quality reporting (CWA Section 305b). -Information needed for identifying impaired waters (CWA Section 303d). -Using probability information to identify the effectiveness of restoration/remediation efforts. -Advancing the science of biological reference condition for establishing biocriteria. -Improved tools and approaches for the assessment of aquatic ecosystems. We do not anticipate that there will be any new funding opportunities for 2010.

Types of Assistance: PROJECT GRANTS